Track Listing

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

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #11387 in Music
• Released on: 1990-10-25
• Number of discs: 1
• Dimensions: .22 pounds

Album Description
Japanese only SHM-CD (Super High Material CD - playable on all CD players) pressing. BMG. 2008.

Amazon.com
Some albums really can change the world, and in 1989 this was one of them. The psychedlic dance extravaganza that was The Stone Roses ushered in the era of Madchester, baggy trousers, Kangols, and the Hacienda. From the magnificent protracted opening of "I Wanna Be Adored" (where, for once, the arrogance wasn't overdone) to the dying seconds of "Fools Gold," every note was perfect. Jon Squire's guitarwork was a thing of magic, a new hero for a new age, Ian Brown sang with gusto, and the rhythm section had paid attention during the second summer of love (1988 version). Essential. --Chris Nickson

Customer Reviews

Oh no.
People are starting to bash this CD. Please, they are all wet! This CD is PERFECT. EVERY second of this CD is absolutely amazing. Melodic, timeless(!!!), uplifting, thirst-quenching, day-breaking, love-making, soul saving. The guitar playing is flawless (see: JAMMING last 5 minutes of I Am The Resurrection). The airy vocals of Ian Brown (heard throughout). The driving bass (Fool's Gold/I Am The Resurrection) and ecstatic drums (She Bangs the Drums, This Is The One, Fool's Gold). There is not one dud in the whole group. I have listened to this CD HUNDREDS of times and it still makes me feel like life is perfect (although it is far from it).

If you like pop music. If you aren't a crabby, contrarian. (fragmented sentences for dramatic effect. ;) ) If you LOVE great tunes, BUY THIS CD and enrich your life. You'll thank me for gushing like this when you experience this work of genius. I am not being generous, I am being honest.

Unbelievable and Mindblowing
Someone said it earlier and it is completely true - this album gets better and better after every listen. It is a truly rewarding experience to listen to this album, whether it is your first time or your hundredth (which I am approaching). As others have mentioned, this was the album that paved the way for Oasis, the Verve, Pulp (to a degree), Radiohead (also to a degree), Blur, and many other of the so-called "Brit Pop" bands.

"I Wanna Be Adored" may be the greatest opening track ever and then there is the sheer brilliance of "Waterfall" running into "Don't Stop" (they play a part of "Waterfall" backwards). Ian Brown, John Squire, Reni, and Mani came together one day and for that moment, they laid down some music that was never going to be equalled, no matter how hard they tried. "Second Coming" (which was a belated 5 year follow-up) is solid but no where near the album that "The Stone Roses" is. But how could it have been? "The Stone Roses" was an album to perfection.

Everyone who is into rock music or just music period needs this album in your collection. You don't have a serious collection without this one. I own over 1100 CDs and if I had to choose 5 albums to save from a fire, this one is there along with "A Tribute to Jack Johnson" by Miles, "Ultimate Blue Train" by Coltrane, "Animals" by Pink Floyd, and "Disintegration" by The Cure. Buy it today if you don't own it already.

Burned bright and briefly
The Stone Roses were one of those bands who burned brightly... and all too briefly. 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. Very, very highly recommended.