The Stone Roses - Sally Cinnamon (EP Review)

Considering it has recently just been my birthday on Thursday, I thought that I would do something a little bit different. I simply could not review either of The Stone Roses albums, because I could just ramble on forever about those masterpieces! So instead, I am going to review my favourite EP of theirs! Just in-case you have not already guessed, The Stone Roses are my favourite band in the world.

The Stone Roses are a four-piece 'Madchester' alternative rock band, evidently from Manchester. The roses formed in 1983, and they released their first debut album in May 1989. During the six years of developing their first album, they recorded 4 singles before the album was even released. However my favourite single is their second release, it was released in 1987 and it is called 'Sally Cinnamon'. On this EP there are two other songs called 'Here it Comes' and 'All Across the Sands'. Oddly this single was released just before Mani even joined the band! The quartet consists of; Ian Brown on lead vocals, John Squire on lead guitar, Gary 'Mani' Mounfield on bass, and Alan 'Reni' Wren on the drums.

'Sally Cinnamon' is the first track on this fantastic masterpiece of an EP. This track has a cheery instrumental throughout, and this song really exploits every single member of the bands talents. The very first lyrics are;

"Until Sally I was never happy, I needed so much more"

People used to associate this track with heroin due to the drastic changes in moods and an increase in euphoria. Obviously from the first line, Brown has received a high that made him the happiest that he has ever been. Also some say that Brown called the surname of the lady he is singing about 'Cinnamon' because the substance of cinnamon is a light brown colour, like heroin. However the high that Brown received was in-fact love, as you later discover how he is completely and utterly besotted with a woman; as he discreetly watches her every move.

"Her eyes are gazing back from every little piece of glass, you seem to smile from every blade - Sally Cinnamon you're my world."

On the other hand, later on in the song the lyrics go on to prove that Sally Cinnamon is in-fact a lesbian. Brown had discovered this by stealing a letter from her pocket, whilst on the train.

"Then I put the letter back in the place where it was found, in the pocket of  a jacket on a train in town. Sent to her from heaven, Sally Cinnamon you're her world."

I find this track very humorous as you create many presumptions in your mind as to why Brown is so in love with her. Then an unfortunate twist of events happen as he finds out that she is completely disinterested, as she is actually gay! Sally Cinnamon is my all time favourite Stone Roses song because it just never fails to put me in a good mood!

The second song on the EP is called 'Here it Comes'. Again, this track shows off every band members distinctive talents. With its strong guitar riffs, and rhythmic drums accompanied by Browns angelic vocals- therefore it remains up there, along with the songs that I rate the highest. The most contagious line is obviously  -

"I'd rather be no one, than someone with no one"

At this point in Ian Browns life, him and John Squire were both in a long-term relationship. So therefore, as you can imagine; this track is writing about how fortunate he is. Brown is rubbing it in everybody else's face how he would be nothing (no one) without his partner. Brown also contradicts himself in the song, which makes me think that he is speaking from a third person prospective -

"Give me your life, it's worthless anyhow."

Nobody really knows what to make of this song, but to me it is almost like Brown has been persuaded to fall in love with somebody. They put him down and make him feel insecure, which leads to him needing them for security. On the other hand, Brown could also be the one causing the pain and telling somebody to give their worthless life to him  - nobody knows. Many people relate pain with love leading to Brown going on to sing...

"Though I'll be found, forever in your pain."

However, I think that this song is about Brown being manipulative and putting a female down to make them fall hopelessly in love with him; but I guess that we will never know the true meaning.

'All Across the Sands' is the final track on this phenomenal EP. This song is completely the opposite to 'Sally Cinnamon'  and it has a much deeper and darker meaning. The Stone Roses often got inspired by their surroundings and articles that they have read, or news that they may have watched; as you will notice from their biography written by Simon Spence called 'The Stone Roses - War & Peace'. So in this case, Ian Brown had read a report on a serial killer who buried the bodies of his rape victims in the sand, and had written a song about it.

"You kiss the girls & make them die"

The crime in which Brown is referring to is 'The Wanda Beach Murders'. The murderer of this case still remains unknown to this day, and the case has remained unknown since 1965. However what happened was two 15 year old female best friends went down to Wanda Beach in Sydney, Australia in 1965 and got raped and killed then their murderer buried them in the sand. Brutal, I know.

After reviewing my favourite EP and what I think that the songs mean, I am going to fulfill you with some knowledge on this tremendous band. The bands name 'The Stone Roses' developed from the complete contradiction of something hard and something pretty. Some might say that it also has a relation to the book written by Sarah Gainham in 1968 called 'The Stone Roses'. However, before they toured Europe they were originally called 'The English Roses' perhaps inspired by The Jam? The Stone Roses signature lemon also stems from their 'Bye Bye Badman' track off their 1989 album. The inspiration of the song developed from the Paris student uprisings of 1968, and Squire & Brown had watched a documentary on it and they liked the students style. However you discover that the lemon is related to 'Bye Bye Badman' because on an interview with NME, they distinctively noticed the three pieces of fruit on the bands album cover of 'Bye Bye Badman'. So therefore The Stone Roses explained how the students used to suck lemons within the protest to nullify the effects of the tear gas that the police would release on them. On the other hand; as far as their song meanings go, we will never know all of their true meanings. The Stone Roses have more than often refused to give an explanation as to what their lyrics are really about. They want the listener to create their own interpretations, as the songs will then mean different things to different people. By making their fans create their own presumptions on the meanings of their songs, it makes them feel connected with the band on a more personal level. Therefore that will eventually lead them to connecting with other Stone Roses fans, as they may have similar interpretations as to what The Stone Roses songs mean to them; and to me - that is beautiful.

Ringo Starr - Postcards from Paradise (Album Review)

Considering it is Fathers Day, I thought that I would do one for all of the Dads out there! So here goes! Ringo Starr was the drummer in the world-renowned band 'The Beatles'. However, he has recently brought out a new album called 'Postcards from Paradise' which was released on the 31st of March 2015.

'Rory and the Hurricanes' is the first song to open up Ringo's impressive 18th solo studio album. The song has a sturdy beat on the introduction, followed by Starrs slow-paced vocals. I think that the backing vocals compliment this track as it gives the song a 1960's vibe to it. This reminisces you back to the era of The Beatles; which also reminisces back to the era in which 'Rory Storm and the Hurricanes' were around, the band that kicked Ringo's career off and in which Ringo played the drums in before The Beatles.

"We were sleeping on the floor, living off bread and jam. Because we thought we hit the big times, we didn't give a damn."

I think that what Starr is trying to portray is how Rory Storm & the Hurricanes got so caught up with the fame they were receiving, that they thought that they were more successful than they actually were. As he states how they thought that they had hit the big time, when in reality they were just:

"sleeping on the floor living off bread and jam."

However they couldn't give a damn because they were all under the illusion that they were going to be the best band in the world. Also Starr didn't care because it was his first taste of success, and this was the band that made Ringo a star after all!

'You Bring the Party Down' is the second track on the album, and it sounds like it is addressed to a dear friend, who perhaps has a mental illness or a drug problem?

"I tried to help you, time and time again. I thought you'd listen to me, your dear old friend."

However, earlier on in the song Starr goes on to say... 

"The times are changing, but you don't understand. Still living off your memories when you were in the band."

Obviously in the 60's and 70's psychedelic era when The Beatles were around, everybody was using recreational drugs. Therefore this song can't just be about a friend. This song is about somebody in a band; perhaps the same band as Ringo? Maybe even a band member in The Beatles?

'Postcards from Paradise' enters with a techno feel. This is one of the love songs on the album; and Starr does not make it sound subtle or discreet in the slightest. After all, why would he?

"With all my loving, I'll be true... Postcards from paradise, as ever P.S. I love you."

With its whimsy romantic beats, and rhyming lyrics; this is easily one of my favourite tracks off the album.

"It's like I said the night before, I'll love you when I'm 64!"

'Right Side of the Road' has quite a funky reggae feel to it. This differentiates itself from the more rock/techno songs within the album.

"Maybe choose another direction, you got so many ways to go."

'Not looking back' is another romantic song which is similar to 'Postcards from Paradise'. 'Not looking back' also has a 1960's feel to it, due to the dreamy and blissful vocals accompanied by smooth percussion.

"Our future still looking bright, where will we go from here? Still together after all of these years..."

I'm presuming that this beautiful, uplifting blues song is about his wife; Barbara Bach. This track really brings out Starrs hopeless romantic side!

"And I promise you, I'll love you for a thousand years."

This song is also another favourite of mine, as it leads people to believe that true love is still out there.

'Island in the Sun' this song is a very jazzy blues song, with its predictable rhyming lyrics - I would definitely recommend this song. This track also has a relaxed reggae vibe to it as well.

"It's not what you've got, it's what you give. It's not how you die, it's how you live."

'Island in the Sun' is also similar to another track on the album called 'Confirmation'. However, I would say that 'Confirmation' is leaning more towards soul and blues rather than reggae.

In conclusion; considering I am not a big Beatles fan, I love Ringo Starrs new album! This album is jam-packed full of predictable, rhythmic and contagious lyrics accompanied by funky soulful beats! I have recommended the majority of the songs off the album, which is unlike me! The few songs that I purposely did not write about were because they did not particularly stand out to me. However Starr has put together a fantastic album, with a little help from his friends. Impressively, his 18th solo album and a good one at that! So congratulations! I hope that more people start listening to this album because you're missing out big time!!

Watch out Paul McCartney!

8/10

Slaves - Are You Satisfied? (Album Review)

Slaves are a duo punk band from Kent, who formed in 2012. The duo consists of Laurie Vincent on guitar and vocals, and Issac Holman on drums and vocals. After releasing a few singles, Slaves prepared their first full album called 'Are You Satisfied?'. The album was recently released on the 1st of June 2015. Similar to Circa Waves, these two lads are all over my Instagram feed! Therefore, I was intrigued to see what all of the fuss was about; so here goes...

'The Hunter' is the first song on the album; and it starts off with a garage rhythm on the guitar, which remains pretty constant throughout the first verse. Then the guitar gradually begins to get heavier, resulting in the lyrics being very harsh:

"The lion in the jungle shows no shame, it shows no pride. It does what it needs to, to stay strong and to survive."

Then when the mood gets even more heavier & aggressive they angrily spit out the words:

"You can keep it, we don't want it. Keep smiling through your teeth."

This track is very alternative to other songs out there, as it covers all of the worlds problems in indignated punk rage. The track covers the topics of; hunting, global warming, the homeless & unemployed, crime and the government.

'Cheer Up London' is the second track on this feisty punk album and it introduces itself with a very intimidating laugh, accompanied by some basic guitar & simple drums. Due to the repetitive and constant beat with lyrics of -

"Cheer up London it's not that bad!"

And

"Dead already! Dead, dead already!"

This will most likely make this track one of the more memorable songs off the album.

'Sockets' is the third track on this rampageful album and this is probably my favourite off the album, as it is the closest to a love song that you will actually get on the album. It introduces itself with a calm, 15 second instrumental, before the heavier guitar and clamorous drums kick in.

"She doesn't know if it's a blessing or a curse. Money in her hand, but never any in her purse."

Slaves perfectly elocute all of their words, even with their pacy punk beat & attitude attached to it.

'Wow!!!7AM' is also one of my more favourable tracks off the album. Showing its frustration to young people who are doing nothing with their life.

"I don't remember the last time I saw 7am."

The lyrics are very relatable to the age genre of 18-25, so ideally people who have left the educational system, and are currently unemployed. However, they may think that slaves are relating to them; but they're not. Slaves are frustrated at people who don't remember the last time they saw 7am and illustrate their point as they sarcastically say -

"Wow!!! 7AM" 

On the other hand I think that one of the weaker tracks on the album has to be 'Despair and Traffic' as it is overly repetitive and rather bland and boring.

Like many albums, Slaves also have a song which is meant to represent the album as a whole; being the same title as the album. Therefore that track is called 'Are You Satisfied?' This song has an acoustic instrumental, straight away I knew that I was going to like it. This is the paradox. I was starting to get a bit apprehensive, as I was bored of listening to similar songs with the same aggressive beats and therefore I think that by adding an acoustic track half way through the album was a very well thought-out idea.

'Ninety Nine' is surprisingly the only explicit track on the album and they only swear once, at the beginning. With its rhythmic lines & constant beat I think this track has the potential to be one of the more memorable and well-known songs off the album. 

"I can't understand why ninety-nine percent of the time..."

The album ends with one of the more exceptional songs off the album called 'Sugar Coated Bitter Truth.'

"Don't trust the flies, they're government spies. Sit you down at the table and force feed you lies."

In conclusion I think that Slaves sound heavily inspired by the Sex Pistols with their heated punk rage, however I also sense a bit of Jamie T in their vocals (inspired by 'Panic Prevention'). The album as a whole appears very rushed due to the same one- liners being constantly repeated throughout their songs. Admittedly due to some of the songs on the album sounding rushed, it appears as if they may have run out of ideas. The only well throughout songs in the album were 'The Hunter' and 'Sugar Coated Bitter Truth'. Even though I recommended a few other songs such as; 'Sockets', 'Wow!!!7AM', 'Are You Satisfied?' and 'Ninety Nine'. That is only due to the repetitiveness working well, even if the songs did appear slightly rushed. Therefore I would not recommend this repetitive, rage-full and rushed album.

Maybe next time slaves.

6/10

Florence + The Machine - How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful (Album Review)

Florence + The Machine are an art rock band from London. Florence Welch is known for her distinctive voice and strong,projectile vocals. The art rock band are best known for several songs such as; 'You've Got The Love', 'Dog Days are Over' and 'Spectrum'. However their new album called; 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful' which was released on the 2nd of June 2015, also has some incredible tracks on too. Therefore I'm going to tell you the ones to look out for!

The first track on the album is called 'Ship to Wreck' it enters with a boho/indie vibrant and lively mood. The first lyrics grab your attention straight away with;

"Don't touch the sleeping pills, they mess with my head. Dredging the great white sharks, swimming in my bed."

This obviously shows how Florence hallucinates on her sleeping pills or has deep & dark nightmares which 'mess' with her head. After that she goes on to sing the contagious and soulful chorus of;

"Did I drink too much? Am I losing touch? Did I build this ship to wreck? To wreck, to wreck, to wreck. Did I build this ship to wreck?"

This is a great song to open up the album as it sets your standards as to what to expect of the album as a whole. As strong of a song that Ship to Wreck is, you still get the flimsy and distinctive Florence Welch edge to the song too.

The second track on the album is also a very soulful and strong song too. The second track is called 'What Kind of Man'. The introduction has a very slow and eery essence about it, however after the first verse is over; the tempo gradually begins to increase... Then once the title line of;

"What kind of man loves like this?"

The rock beat really starts to kick in, due to the aggression being expressed throughout the lyrics of;

"To let me dangle at cruel angle, oh my feet don't touch the floor."

You begin to understand the indignation throughout Welch's vocals as his perception of love, is making her die for him. Or perhaps he has killed her?

This track is insanely repetitive with its signature chorus lines, leading to it being one of the best tracks on the album from my perspective.

The third track on the album is the representation of the album as a whole due to the song title being 'How Big, How Blue, How Beautiful'. This is one of the more simplistic songs on the album, but it is insanely satisfying due to the constant whirlwinds of moods forever changing in this 5 minute and 34 seconds masterpiece of pure genius.

'Various Storms & Saints' is one of Florence's notorious dark songs, however it lets you see the other side of her; the gentle side. Not the firey & projectile side. Therefore this song is the exhilarating paradox of the album!

"But you took your toll on me, so I gave myself away."

This song covers many different emotions within the lyrics, and I liked it how the whole song is one big twist. It was traditional, dark and firey Florence mixed with a new gentle and introverted Florence; which you don't see often. Another song similar to this track is called 'Long & Lost' - so if you enjoyed this song, I would definitely recommend that you give 'Long & Lost' a listen too.

'Third Eye' is also one of my more favourable songs off this faultless album too. With its repetitive beats and contagious, meaningful lyrics; how could you not like it?!

"Cause there's a hole where your heart lies, and I can see it with my third eye. And oh my touch, it magnifies you pull away - you don't know how."

Another phenomenal song which I would definitely suggest that you listen to would be 'St Jude'. St Jude is the second to last track on the album & it curtiously closes off the album with its gentle echoes and its well-known Florence, flimsy vocals.

"And I'm learning, so I'm leaving, and even though I'm grieving. I'm trying to find the meaning - let loss reveal it."

In conclusion I think that this album is beautifully simplistically complexed. Florence + The Machine are notoriously known for their powerful, soulful dark songs. However this album has a twist, and includes almost powerless songs due to the effortless vocals with strong, hidden meanings instead. I've always been a fan of their work, but this album is flawlessly exceptional and I would say that it is definitely up there with their 2009 debut album 'Lungs'. I would 100% recommend that you give it a listen if you are into dark meanings sugarcoated by effortlessly contagious songs accompanied by flimsy vocals. Fantastic.

10/10