The Stone Roses - Second Coming (CD 1997)

Let me start by saying that Second Coming is a good album by one of the greatest bands of all time. That alone should endorse this collection of songs beyond the doubt of any casual listener, and, for anyone who has by some slim chance never heard The Stone Roses before it would be more than enough to gain an appreciation of their brand of music. The problem with Second Coming is that a) the eponymous first album was probably "top ten of all time" material and b) the subsequent anticipation (five years worth at that) was way beyond any reasonable expectation.

The first track, "Breaking in to Heaven", extends the aforementioned anticipation by over 4 minutes with an epic build up before launching into a recognisably Roses tune. Track 2, "Driving South", hints at a heavier, bluesier, rocky sound which carries through many of the other new tracks. "Ten Storey Love Song" is an absolutely mint tune and would have not been out of place on the first album.

"Love Spreads" is a fusion of the earlier Stone Roses sound and the more typical Second Coming feel.

It's very difficult to improve on perfection and sadly The Stone Roses really only had one ill fated attempt. It's easy to see why a lot of the fans were disappointed. Too much expectation and not enough time or willingness to really listen to what is, especially by today's "all filler no killer" efforts, a first rate album.