Stone Roses - Sally Cinnamon

Essentially a one-album wonder, The Stone Roses launched a short-lived second British Invasion…at least on college radio.  And it’s easy to see why.  Their sound, a mix of ‘60s jangle pop and psychedelica, was catchy and accessible, a guitar-solo idolized version of what Brit Pop would eventually become.  And the Roses themselves were the ultimate arrogant Brits, confident in their skills and superiority enough to wait out five years of legal trouble before releasing their sophomore album.  But karma is a bitch, and the band never capitalized on their early success.

 

That said, the music still speaks for itself.  And Sally Cinnamon, originally re-released from Revolver as a Record Store Day exclusive red vinyl, was the band’s second single…and the first to really capture the sound they would perfect on their self-titled debut.  Kicking off with one of John Squire’s signature riffs and a solid vocal performance from Ian Brown (who also wrote the lyrics this time around), the track is a bouncy pop confection that makes no apologies for its sing-along tendencies.  It seems to be over before it even gets started but makes a lasting impression in the back of your mind.

 

The accompanying tracks – Here it Comes, All Across the Sands and a 12-inch mix of the title track – show the band perfecting their intermingled soft-LOUD-soft approach with Squire whispering almost unintelligibly in his appealing off-key style.  The B-side features identical live tracks from a 1987 show that give Squire a bit more room to operate and proving the Roses could really deliver when inspiration struck them.  


This new black vinyl version sounds terrific - even on the live tracks - and fills an essential gap between the Garage Flower and Turns to Stone sessions.  Play it, love it, and forgive them their sins.

 

 

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