"While by no means catastrophic, this album has been greatly over-rated since the start. One the one hand, their greatest song, which was from that era, Fool's Gold, is not from the original version of the album and has been only added on later versions. That song was and is fantastic and does correspond to exactly what the hype was about: the perfect fusion of dance with rock estaetics. However the rest of the album is not that great. While one can see that they are talented, the sound is musddy and the playing is sloppy. While these characteristics are what makes a hypnotic song like Fool's Gold great, the remainder of the songs which are more straightforward in structure do suffer. The next record was actually somewhat better since production values were superior but since the band had been so much over-hyped, survival was not posssible and they split. Also a group such as the Happy Mondays were abloe at their best to convey much more energy in their songs."
Music beyond mere mortals
Badman | Fairfax, VA | 07/10/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album is so timelessly perfect that it simply could not have been constructed by mere mortals alone. My theory is that the Roses were practicing one night in a garage, dreaming of glory and stardom. Lucifer appeared and made a proposal. He would give them the talent to create some of the most perfect music ever heard, in exchange for their everlasting souls. The catch is that the talent was fleeting. After this magnificent album, the dark prince revoked it. Nothing like this would ever be heard again from the same musicians. He even went so far as to remove the gift of voice that he had granted to Ian Brown, who is now left partially tone-deaf. It remains to be seen whether Satan still has title to their souls. Regardless, this album is in the same league as Eine Kleine Nachtmusic, Abbey Road, and other precious few works of sheer artistic genius. Unfortunately, it does not share the same recognition as those works, due mainly to the deal with Satan. However, I believe that future generations will rediscover this album and treasure it as we do now with other classical greats who were ahead of their time."
"First Annual Montgomery Burns Award for Outstanding Achieve
moonlighteye77 | San Diego, CA United States | 08/09/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This is one of the rare collections of songs where you can buy the full album with confidence that you'll have more than 1 or 2 tracks to enjoy."
Solid As Stone,,,
Mark Green | New York, NY | 08/15/2009
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I've often wondered how many bands have been set aside because of comparisons to another band? I like to read the reviews to determine whether I should write a review of an album. Can I add to what has already been said? The only negative reviews of The Stone Roses debut seem to misunderstand their direct lineage. This band follows the path beaten down by Jesus & Mary Chain, Echo & the Bunnymen, U2, REM, New Order/Joy Division and possibly some of the 4AD label (I am sure their are others, these are the most notable).
While I am able to recognize references to these bands, Stone Roses diverges into paths that are unexpected. On one listen I might be sure the band sounds like Jesus & Mary Chain, then I notice the vocals sink into the mix and are less aggressive than Jesus & Mary Chain. Maybe a J &M informed by REM, but wait that big bass stadium sound of U2, on and on, until I give up and just accept them as The Stone Roses plain and simple. This is at once familiar and something new. Most importantly, something drew ME in and kept ME listening. This is an album that returns to my playlist often.
In the end, what makes an album great? This album is the pinion of entire genres (Shoegazer_Dream Rock/Pop_My Bloody Valentine, et al) yet it doesn't fit comfortably into a specific genre. Does it stand the test of time? Has for me. Does that mean you will like it? Not necessarily. Has it influenced bands that followed? No doubt. The Stone Roses is an eye piece peering back to some great bands and the foundation of some great bands that have followed.
Finally, great albums aren't always listen-able to the masses. One listens and appreciates . Likewise, listen-able albums aren't necessarily great. The Stone Roses debut falls into that rare category that is, first and foremost, listen-able and, to those of us who immerse ourselves in way too much music consider to be, important and great."