mail: daniel_fjall@hotmail.com
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the stone roses
The Stone Roses The Stone Roses selftitled debut album is often hailed as a pop masterpiece delivered by the best British band since the Beatles, claimed to have saved pop music from the evil techno and club music. Me, I just hear traditional pop of the kind only the British could master. The groove of U2, the sound of the Smiths and fairly strong melodies, reminding more of the Kinks than of the Beatles. The Stone Roses is a solid pop album, if yet overrated and not quite living up to the huge demands and expectations that lies on its shoulders. Now, the pleading “I Wanna Be Adored” and the catchy single “She Bangs The Drums” are really good, and whilst disappointing on the first couple of listens, they grow on you and soon their appeal is obvious. The same procedure continues throughout the album, until nearly all tracks have unfolded completely. Some of the numbers refuse to be tamed and understood. “Don’t Stop” being the most obvious choice for filler. It’s monotonous, but never hypnotic. The album seems to be praised for its ambition to combine the old school of pop and the dance music that happened at the time, but listeners will realize that only “Don’t Stop” honestly tries to do just that. The result is a boring waste of 5 and half minutes that could be mistaken for modern psychedelia. Most of the other songs are entertaining or emotionally affecting. The slightly dated production isn’t too disturbing and the strong melodies manages to break through whatever annoying production moments you might stumble upon. It takes a while for the record to regain focus after “Don’t Stop” and a couple of solid, but far from breath taking songs are placed in the middle of the album. “Bye Bye Badman” and “Elizabeth My Dear” (which lends the melody from the standard British folksong “Scarborough Fair”, popularized by Simon & Garfunkel) are good songs, but doesn’t quite live up to the standard set by the opening songs. Things picks up again with “Sugar Spun Sister” and when “Made of Stone” is fading in the speakers, anyone whom might have been doubtful towards the album's potential is finally won over. “Made of Stone” is the best song on the album, and the three closing numbers are merely laps of honor, solidifying the band’s triumph. These songs has some weak spots, though (for instance, is the long, dragging jam in “I Am The Resurrection” necessary?). A very strong album with mountain high peaks, but flaws and bruises here and there. The highest rating is certainly tempting during “Made of Stone” and a couple of other songs, on the other hand, you sigh in doubt and disappointment during other numbers. The positive sides weighs over and in the end the album is recommended, if yet with some reservations. Don’t expect another Sgt Pepper, Joshua Tree, Pet Sounds or whatever classic album it has been compared to over the years. In the end you will appreciate and enjoy some good pop music.
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