Anybody who already owns 1995’s Complete Stone Roses album should rightly take this release as a piece of timely rehashing to keep the Christmas tills cashing. But take off those cynical glasses for just one moment. The Stone Roses were one of the most important British bands ever to pick up a guitar and this fantastic, though admittedly unnecessary, CD is a key introduction for anybody who liked them, missed out or just wants another bite at the fruit of nostalgia.

Formed in the north west of England during the late 1980s, the Roses had a finger in so many musical pies. Over time, they combined the essence of rave and light rock to invent their own sound and give birth to the Indy craze that dominated the early 1990s. The Stone Roses were the first to do much of what became ingrained in popular culture, leading the way in flarey jeans, beanie hats and guitar sequences that still bring a shiver when my ear instantly recognises them. The Stone Roses are timeless, and this 15-track CD is packed with quality anthems that defined a fascinating era.

Starting with the Indy gem I Wanna Be Adored, and classic after classic relentlessly follows. She Bangs The Drums, Ten Storey Love Song, Waterfall, Made of Stone, and the incredible Love Spreads create a solid intro. And the wonderful thing about an album full of Stone Roses greats is that the momentum never wanes, Sally Cinnamon and the minimaliisic genius of Fools Gold take centre-stage here and the finale is as good as any Best of album I have come across, with One I Love being graciously followed by This Is The One and I Am The Resurrection. All three are musical spectacles, they run and run and you just want them to go on for ever and ever.

Let me put you in the picture, let me show you what I mean: This has all been heard before seven years ago on The Complete Stone Roses. If you have that, this best of is completely pointless. If you haven’t, this album is a definite 9/10. This is the one.
11-Nov-2002 12:00 PM

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