After naming
a song "I am the Resurrection" and the subsequent album "The
Second Coming", it is fair to say that The Stone Roses were never short of
self-confidence and similarly fostered a messianic following.
In November
1989 the Madchester scene exploded nationwide as they and Happy Mondays appeared on the same "Top of the
Pops" episode. Although the Roses could be classified as dance music,
there were also obvious 1960s and psychedelic influences from the Byrds to
Simon & Garfunkel. The 8 minute epic "I am the Resurrection" is
fitting climax and to the seminal "Stone
Roses" album.
It starts
with a strong drum beat from Mani, then the guitar of John Squire is added. These
will be the driving force and key components. Ian Brown opens with "Down,
down, you bring me down", and
quickly relates how his infatuation with a partner has turned to hatred, and he
wants to end it promptly ("I need to be alone"). There is litany of
abuse, from "don't care", the vicious "(you would) look better
dead" to the frankly bizarre "your
tongue is far too long"
It takes over two minutes to reach the euphoric chorus, and
it feels like a release "I am the resurrection and I am the light".
After two choruses, the song could easily end (and it gives that impression)
after three minutes. The singing has ended, but wait, there is an coda, an extended instrumental break, with
drums and the chiming guitar. Solos can be often self indulgent and boring, but
this is an exception, and takes the song further and cements its iconic reputation.
It is easy to
spot the 1960s influences, the melody came from playing the Beatles Taxman chords
in reverse and " Turn, turn,
I wish you'd learn / There's a time and place for everything" is a definite
nod to the Byrds.
The Stones
Roses album was widely acclaimed then and now as one of the greatest albums on
its era, an ambitions, self assured, sprawling debut. They never refound
their magic after a long legal delay between albums, with an inevitable split
in 1996, but "I am the Resurrection" is their lasting testament.
Hear Now - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vY9g-PgSiGA
Hear Next -
The aforementioned debut "Stones Rose" album without a doubt.
