Post by tucker on Mar 1, 2024 14:32:56 GMT
Okay, after listening to it probably 6 or 7 times since yesterday, here's a review.
Raise Your Hands
Grew on my a lot. Great energy and great way to open. It kind of reminds me a bit of The Roller but a better version of it. I think this would have sounded incredible with some horns in it.
Verdict: 7.5
Mars To Liverpool
Just really good. Great melodies, guitars are ace, and a big shimmering chorus.
Verdict: 8.5/10
One Day At A Time
Had high hopes for this after Squire said it sounded like a brawl in a Western saloon or something? It's clear he was talking about the little acoustic flourishes. They're cool and all, and the song is pretty decent but those little acoustic bits kind of feel a bit forced and don't really fit the song. And we have have the first lyrics which made me wince ever so slightly ("Can you hear the music, can you hear the rhyme") But I do also really like the lyric "Lord have mercy, it's gonna be alright, laydown and dream with me, it's gonna be alright". There are also some very enjoyable guitar bits.
Verdict: 6.5/10
I'm A Wheel
Love this. Sure, the music in the verses is blues by numbers, but with Liam's vocal it just works brilliantly. The chorus is great and Squire's guitar is kind of filthy and gorgeous. Things get especially good around the 2:21 mark for me. This track is an absolute delight.
Verdict: 9/10
Just Another Rainbow
Always liked it and think it works very well in the context of the album. Sometimes songs just work better due to their positioning on album and this is one of them. It sounds so bright and shiny after I'm A Wheel. Even the singing of the colours of the rainbow doesn't bother me.
Verdict: 7/10
Love You Forever
I think that the one-two of this and Just Another Rainbow before it serves as the part of the album where you can really hear the Stone Roses sound. This one is a bit of a groover that is carried along nicely by Squire's guitar work. It feels like it falls a bit flat / get a bit empty in the chorus parts ("I love you forever baby...") since it lets up a bit on the shredding. Still, this grew on me a lot.
Verdict: 7/10
Make It Up As You Go Along
A sweet little number that serves a bit of a breather after the blues/psych/grove of the last 3 tracks.
Verdict: 6.5/10
Your Not the Only One
Another one I absolutely love, and just as much as I'm A Wheel. It's got that 50s rock and roll vibe going on the way Bring The Light & Halo do. I'd love a full album of blues and rock & roll like this sung by Liam. So good.
Verdict: 9/10
I'm So Bored
This should have been louder and dirtier. They've leaned into the Beatles/psychedelia side of things but this would have worked so well as a punker track. Regardless, it's still real good.
Verdict: 8/10
Mother Natures Song
Really let down by this. I think they over hyped it. Liam saying it made him cry made me think it was gonna be something special but it isn't. Musically it's okay, and kind of nice and inoffensive, but the lyrics in the chorus are just absolute vomit meaning things come to and end with a bit of a whimper and a fart for me.
Verdict: 5.5/10
Overall, very pleasantly surprised. I think as a whole, the album has a good vibe and it feels very well sequenced. And for me, with the exception of the last track, nothing that I would consider a complete dud.
Raise Your Hands
Grew on my a lot. Great energy and great way to open. It kind of reminds me a bit of The Roller but a better version of it. I think this would have sounded incredible with some horns in it.
Verdict: 7.5
Mars To Liverpool
Just really good. Great melodies, guitars are ace, and a big shimmering chorus.
Verdict: 8.5/10
One Day At A Time
Had high hopes for this after Squire said it sounded like a brawl in a Western saloon or something? It's clear he was talking about the little acoustic flourishes. They're cool and all, and the song is pretty decent but those little acoustic bits kind of feel a bit forced and don't really fit the song. And we have have the first lyrics which made me wince ever so slightly ("Can you hear the music, can you hear the rhyme") But I do also really like the lyric "Lord have mercy, it's gonna be alright, laydown and dream with me, it's gonna be alright". There are also some very enjoyable guitar bits.
Verdict: 6.5/10
I'm A Wheel
Love this. Sure, the music in the verses is blues by numbers, but with Liam's vocal it just works brilliantly. The chorus is great and Squire's guitar is kind of filthy and gorgeous. Things get especially good around the 2:21 mark for me. This track is an absolute delight.
Verdict: 9/10
Just Another Rainbow
Always liked it and think it works very well in the context of the album. Sometimes songs just work better due to their positioning on album and this is one of them. It sounds so bright and shiny after I'm A Wheel. Even the singing of the colours of the rainbow doesn't bother me.
Verdict: 7/10
Love You Forever
I think that the one-two of this and Just Another Rainbow before it serves as the part of the album where you can really hear the Stone Roses sound. This one is a bit of a groover that is carried along nicely by Squire's guitar work. It feels like it falls a bit flat / get a bit empty in the chorus parts ("I love you forever baby...") since it lets up a bit on the shredding. Still, this grew on me a lot.
Verdict: 7/10
Make It Up As You Go Along
A sweet little number that serves a bit of a breather after the blues/psych/grove of the last 3 tracks.
Verdict: 6.5/10
Your Not the Only One
Another one I absolutely love, and just as much as I'm A Wheel. It's got that 50s rock and roll vibe going on the way Bring The Light & Halo do. I'd love a full album of blues and rock & roll like this sung by Liam. So good.
Verdict: 9/10
I'm So Bored
This should have been louder and dirtier. They've leaned into the Beatles/psychedelia side of things but this would have worked so well as a punker track. Regardless, it's still real good.
Verdict: 8/10
Mother Natures Song
Really let down by this. I think they over hyped it. Liam saying it made him cry made me think it was gonna be something special but it isn't. Musically it's okay, and kind of nice and inoffensive, but the lyrics in the chorus are just absolute vomit meaning things come to and end with a bit of a whimper and a fart for me.
Verdict: 5.5/10
Overall, very pleasantly surprised. I think as a whole, the album has a good vibe and it feels very well sequenced. And for me, with the exception of the last track, nothing that I would consider a complete dud.
