Album Review

The Stone Roses – One Love

• 7th Aug 2009

Coinciding with the re-release of their debut album this year, hits ‘One Love’, which peaked at number 4 in the UK charts in July 1990, and ‘Something’s Burning’ are more than likely to fall upon familiar ears.

Despite reaching a respectable number 4 in the charts, single ‘One Love’, has been a significant track in The Stone Roses repertoire due to sheer controversy. The track contains the recognisable groove carried in the guitars that’s found in so many Stone Roses’ tracks and the cool- as- a- cucumber vocal of the infamous Ian Brown, yet lacks an originality often being seen as a poor attempt to recreate the formula of ‘Fool’s Gold’.

However, in sheer musicality terms, the song still reveals brilliance in Squire’s guitar playing that drifts along in perfect unison with the drumming. The uncanny ability to get people in the dancing mood despite being far from the likes of Abba’s ‘Dancing Queen’, is yet another notch The Stone Roses creative score board.

Similarly ‘Something’s Burning’ has an underlying infectious drumbeat that is a sure fire way to get the toes of anyone tapping. Brown’s vocals slip even lower and thus he is made to sound even cooler- if that’s humanly possible.

All in all then, if you’re looking to re-kindle your love for The Stone Roses, then perhaps these aren’t their best offerings, but nevertheless are still undeniably brilliant songs of the 90’s. After all, when put in perspective with other 90’s musical phenomenon (Gina G, for example) then its obvious who comes out on top.