Product Description

The Stone Roses eponymously titled debut album is now regarded as the defining release of the late 80's early 90's 'Madchester' music scene. Byrdsian jangly guitar pop songs are injected with the attitude of The Rolling Stones. It includesthe singles 'She Bangs The Drums', 'Made Of Stone' and 'I Am The Resurrection'.

Track Listing

1. I Wanna Be Adored
2. Waterfall
3. She Bangs The Drums
4. Don't Stop
5. Bye Bye Badman
6. Elizabeth My Dear
7. Song For My Sugar Spun Sister
8. Made Of Stone
9. Shoot You Down
10. This Is The One
11. I Am The Resurrection

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #6955 in Music
• Released on: 1990-01-22
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
It's a classic, obviously: at the time it was released, the La's were the only other keepers of the hot seed of jangly West Coast Byrdsian pop. In The Stone Roses' wake, thousands of pale indie-boys fell pregnant with their own bands: Blur and Oasis wouldn't exist without them, and even Richey Manic cited "This Is The One" as his favourite ever song. But it wasn't just the frankly gorgeous Gene Clark and Pink Floyd guitar spanglings of "I Wanna Be Adored" or "Made Of Stone"; nor Ian Brown's triumphal proclamations on the assassination of the Queen ("Elizabeth My Dear") and his own Christ-like powers ("I Am The Resurrection"), that made the Stone Roses so seminal. That was down to the rhythm-section, Reni and Mani, who were hot and tight enough to prompt the first ever sightings of vaguely co-ordinated indie-kid dancing. Alas! John Squire would never be this inspired, nor Ian Brown this in tune, again. --Caitlin Moran

Customer Reviews

Come with me to a place no eyes have ever seen
To refer to The Stone Roses' eponymous masterpiece as "an album" is almost disrespectful. A genuine "work of art", an important slice of musical history, legend and folklore; the catalyst for untold numbers to form bands, listen and understand; these 48 minutes and so-many seconds of melodious magic have become, for many, more of a spiritual experience than "an album".

From the first listen to the 1000th and beyond, who can hear the creeping bass of the intro to "I Wanna Be Adored" without the hairs on the back of their neck standing on end?

Ian Brown's vocals ooze an effortless cool unmatched before or after, casually creating fantastic imagery and delivering lines with a belief that lifts them above arrogance ("kiss me where the sun don't shine, the past was yours - but the future's mine").

John Squire in "Made of Stone" picks the listener up and takes them off at supersonic speed on a breathtaking journey. Mani provides a masterclass in building anticipation in "I Wanna Be Adored". Reni, throughout, has to be heard to be believed, although, with the entire band, produces an imperious performance in "I Am The Resurrection".

The 11 tracks gathered here set standards few have even glimpsed. Songs that elevate the spirit, lyrics that become mantras, music that moves you physically and emotionally. This is a sublime, euphoric experience somehow encapsulated on a CD. This is more than music.

It's Just Briliant is all.
I think the vast number of five star reviews of this album, despite a few detractors, tells the story.

Apart from maybe a couple of duffs, 'Don't Stop', being the obvious one, the album is consistently brilliant. Has there ever been a better guitar solo than that on 'I Am The Resurrection'? My favourite track is probably 'Bye Bye Badman'. Those laconic jazzy guitar strains always do it for me.

They made only two albums and one of them wasn't much cop, but they are still one of the greatest British groups ever. That's how good this album is.

I wanna be adored
The Stone Roses were one of those bands who burned brightly... and all too briefly. After only two albums, they shattered.

Thankfully their presence has been long-lasting -- the music of their self-titled first album still lingers long after the breakup of the band. They captured lightning in a bottle, even if their first album's musical perfection was their downfall.

After the panoramic, rumbling buildup of "I Wanna Be Adored," the Roses catch you with rollicking, infectious rock songs and psychedelic trips. While sticking to strong pop melodies and rock instrumentation, the Roses manage to experiment around a bit -- the delicate "Waterfall" is literally turned backwards and replayed, in a song that is almost as good as the original.

The true rock rebellion shows in "Bye Bye Bad Man" with protests concerning French student riots ("Every backbone and heart you break/We'll still come back for more") and an acid-tinged anti-royalist song. Finishing up the unalloyed brilliance is the bitter, complicated "I Am the Resurrection," and the melodic "Fool's Gold" -- two of the best songs on the album.

The Stone Roses spread their influence far in this album -- there are soft ballad-like melodies, whirling psychedelic trips, and rock that rises, crests and slowly sinks. Expect your heartbeat to rise and sink with it -- because this music has a richness and depth that most rock music cannot even begin to equal.

John Squire's guitar riffs are flexible and fluid; it sounds like this guy was reinventing guitar licks all on his own. His shimmering guitar riffs of "Waterfall" are truly magnificent. The deep basslines will drawn you in whether you like it or not, as will Reni's outstanding drumming. Everything culminates in a wild, dense psychedelic mass in the overwhelming "I Am the Resurrection."

Ian Brown's vocals are excellent; unlike many rock singers, he has genuine vocal talent. The writing for these songs is deeply vibrant. Sometimes the intensity is almost breathtaking, as Brown sings, "I am the resurrection and I am the light/I couldn't ever bring myself/To hate you as I'd like." Ow, heavy stuff. But he is equally good with the quieter songs, sounding sad and a little pensive.

"The Stone Roses" is an unforgettable musical experience. A culmination of musical genius, this is one of the handful of albums out there without a bad track or a sense of monotony. Astounding.