1989 Stones Roses debut is forever the masterpiece which started all this.. So glad these guys got to work together.

The Album cover is a Rose for anyone who hasn’t noticed.😉

@leewhieldon4299

3 ай бұрын

Dude! Well spotted man! Squire is a very creative dude..has any 1 stared at the second coming album cover for ages! There’s mad stuff on that! Naked woman!…aeroplanes flying across the sky..little tiny head shots of the band dotted about..proper trippy..an eagles claws..pics within pics

@duffers29

3 ай бұрын

@@leewhieldon4299 lol yes there’s a cherub and some Gargoyles if I remember lol.

@JamesHargreavesGuitar

3 ай бұрын

Great point

@leewhieldon4299

3 ай бұрын

Lads..I’m buzzing squires back on the scene and getting a choon out of Liam! Pun intended lol

@bgeek

3 ай бұрын

It's also a reference to another artist - Warhol. I gave up waiting for it to be mentioned. You can find photos of John wearing Warhol's Brillo t-shirt (Uniqlo sell them). He's used the same style on the artwork, much in the same way he used Pollock on the first Roses' album. John borrows a lot. All art is theft and all that. It's not deep.

It's my favourite album since Oasis split

@JamesHargreavesGuitar

3 ай бұрын

Its up there with Council Skies for me Of course, it's very different, but just as good IMO

@chrisvanuden

3 ай бұрын

Why me, why not was that album for me. Council skies also very good!

@paninovevo1162

3 ай бұрын

​@@JamesHargreavesGuitar "very different"? Don't know about that. It's always about that 60s rock vibe in the end

@xsupersonic94

Ай бұрын

nothing compares to the High Flying Birds debut

Hey James, nice review! You nailed something that a lot of people needed to hear: you can't be fair to an album upon one listen, you need to live with it for a few days to let it sink in. This is how I approach my album reviews as well and I'm really glad that you've emphasized the importance of giving an album time. Keep up the great work!!

We love The Seahorses too! They opened for Oasis in Germany for the 'Be Here Now' tour! We still play the record, and have great memories !

It's better than what most people are saying, but 'classic' is really pushing it... The best thing about it is exactly what James is saying at 4:30, it's a record done for the love of guitar music, and two top figures of British music having a good time. It's way less 'corporate' than the 3 Liam records. It's a coherent album, rather than random stuff thrown together (i.e. COYK). The run of Love You Forever, Make It Up As You Go Along, You're Not The Only One and I'm So Bored is bloody GREAT actually.

The review i've been waiting for!!! Thanks for your thoughts on this, I think your onto something. A great album and I loved seeing them live in Manchester, I took my lad who is a massive Liam fan and is now introducing himself to Oasis, Stone Roses and the Sea Horses.......It has re-inspired me to go back and listen to all the music of my youth.

Another great video! Thank you Also here in the states I've been patiently waiting for both mojo & various guitar mags with squire & Liam on the cover- takes SO long to get them here

Thanks James, enjoyed these insights. I appreciate your commitment to all things indie!!

Great vid man, class that it went number 1. I feel like nowadays with streaming/ playlists too people dont even listen to albums as much anymore. I know we’re all probably guilty of this, but recently just been listening to albums myself and ive started enjoying music more and it feels more like an experience

I really dig your review and with your general view on music being released this year. About the album I felt exactly how you described it. It is like in the old days when you bought a record and after a certain time it grew on you. This is how artists can develop and it is much more enjoyable rather than streaming single songs.

@JamesHargreavesGuitar

3 ай бұрын

Yeah I agree re albums 👍👍

This is the best review!!! Thank you James, love the idea of a potential concept to the whole album and it does make sense, love that the album cover is arranged as a Rose and absolutely agree with the ‘just to hear Ian Brown’ analysis of JAR, makes total sense and what I love most about Squire and the guitars of course. Like your reference to the Seahorses but I think there is a lot of Mersey paradise / standing here era Roses vibes particularly in Mars to Liverpool and Love you forever which seems to have gone unnoticed, Squires on Fire here, album of the year ❤

Great review, James. Couldn’t agree more! Also, I’d love to hear some of the material written for John’s 3rd solo album - or ‘ferocious guitar album’ as he put it at the time. If the lyrics are on the same level as his solo albums plus Liam’s voice would be the ultimate pairing I’d say!

Its a hugely enjoyable album.love it and really hope this is the beginning of a beautiful partnership.its too much fun to be a one off.

Well rounded review. I quite like the album. It's great to have some new quality sounds to get my head around. It does take repeated listenings to really appreciate an album.

@JamesHargreavesGuitar

3 ай бұрын

Agreed

I was at the Troxy last night, and I was at Wembley 2000 for the SOTSOG tour, last night was brilliant:) Liams voice was spot on and JS guitar playing was top notch. Would love to hear "what can you see" off the seahorses second album by these two, amazing!!!!

The Kandy-Kolored Tangerine-Flake Streamline Baby is the title of Tom Wolfe's first collected book of essays.

@JamesHargreavesGuitar

3 ай бұрын

Cool Didn’t know that

@JammyGit

3 ай бұрын

That sentence sounds like summat from Bye Bye Badman....In this citrus soaking sunshine I don't care....those kind of lyrics ✌️

@Dani-El.

3 ай бұрын

I love guitar underneath that line. Reminds me of Sale Of The Century by The Seahorses, in a subtle way.

@leewhieldon4299

3 ай бұрын

Inspiring for lyric ideas

@leewhieldon4299

3 ай бұрын

@@Dani-El.dude I was gonna message the same thing but couldn’t be arsed 😎👍🏻

Thanks man - great analysis of this excellent album - love the Suggestion this is aimed against the Constant Stream of Content - no need to go on about how good the music is - it says it all 🇦🇺

The best review I’ve heard, a great album

Interesting that you reference the white album. My favourite track at the moment, ‘love you forever’ sounds like it came straight out of 1968! Saw Liam & John play in Manchester. Great show and this album is phenomenal 👍🏼

Felt the album art was also a good reflection of classic britpop art like Pulps "Different Class" or Sleepers "It Girl" it had that slightly Louis Carol feel to it.

@jonnywose2528

3 ай бұрын

Or 'the who sell out'

Barrie Cadogan is the bassist for the band live. He's from the band Little Barrie, which you should definitely check out, some awesome and overlooked stuff. The first two albums are among some of my favourites

@D.L91

3 ай бұрын

Great blues guitarist!

@leewhieldon4299

3 ай бұрын

Cool man..I’ll check him out…he played for primal scream too

@shredder9536

3 ай бұрын

I think he filled in for bonehead in liams solo shows when he was ill as well on

@EdekLay

3 ай бұрын

Better Call Saul theme tune's by Little Barrie, which led me to his/their albums and they don't disappoint. There's plenty of worse bands around with more hype

@duffers29

3 ай бұрын

Little Barry split because their drummer died heart attack @41 (Virgil Howe) son of Steve Howe of Yes !

Unfortunately, in todays society people have the attention span of a squirrel! Great album!!

@SpindlyScoudrel

3 ай бұрын

Bit harsh on squirrels!

@katoness

3 ай бұрын

@@SpindlyScoudrel 🤣🤣

@davidtaylor6124

3 ай бұрын

What was the verdict? Video was too long for me. /s

@katoness

3 ай бұрын

@@davidtaylor6124 He likes it.

Overall the album is fantastic. There is one or two weak tracks in my opinion but the strong ones more than make up for it. Hearing a new album like this in 2024 is very refreshing and don’t get me started on the guitar playing. Some of the best new guitar parts ive heard in years. Just another rainbow has won the best solo of the year already without a doubt. The irony of the criticism on the lyrics is brilliant. Have people not heard some of the lyrics on liams solo albums?? People will instantly not like this album just because it’s different to a typical oasis/liam album but you certainly get rewarded for giving it repeated listens. 8.5/10. Really hope they do another

Amazing review 👍 The album is a grower for sure

@JamesHargreavesGuitar

3 ай бұрын

It takes a bit of patience, but it's a top record

@leewhieldon4299

3 ай бұрын

I wish they’d used the album pics as a montage of Liams and johns heads..silhouette kinda thing

I felt the album cover was a reflection on the state of Britain and food banks and cost of living crisis and also the element of brands that influence our spending , but who knows the guy is a genius!!!!

Saw them live and fell in love with the album. The crowd knew the songs like they were decades old

It's definitely got the warmth of 70's bands jamming and making music. All well performed and well executed. Squire sounds like he's plugged in, played over the top all in one go (in a great way). Very immediate and stream of consciousness playing. There's about three great songs on it, the rest are decent to good. I think backing vocals would have helped, but it begs the question: by who and how to perform live. You're Not The Only One is the highlight for me. Nice nod to Jimmy Page at the end, the phrase Jimmy used to play at the end of live performances of Black Dog. I know it's a duo album but credit must go to the guys on bass and drums too, all tastefully done. I think having the album out, playing it live, will stoke up the creative fire and maybe we might see another album in the future. Jamie, your insights are always good and your enthusiasm always makes me smile. All the best.

Ah James, I thought I saw you at the Newcastle gig! I definitley should've said hello

@JamesHargreavesGuitar

3 ай бұрын

Catch you next time 👍👍

Just listening to Mars to Liverpool, and just like said about rock music coming around again, the storm being the shit that’s about now- “Here comes that feeling, here it comes again. I’m waiting for this storm, to run out of rain” I definitely agree with you, proper bands and music could be on their way back!

It's refreshing to hear someone not totally write off James Arthur. I'm not a huge fan by any means, but I always thought he got overlooked because of the X Factor title and put out some okay songs. I've not given the album a listen yet, but I'll put some time aside for it. I like all sorts of music but It's been an exciting time for guitar music. I really enjoyed Noels recent stuff, and Feeder are releasing a new album that's sounds great live. Appreciate the videos, your stuff directed me to OCS 's first album, which has been a good listen.

That is a pretty interesting analysis. I now have to give the album a re-listen to follow up. I am more an Oasis/Liam fan than of the Roses, but I'll try most musical stuff. Interesting that there should be a callback to Dear Prudence in one of the songs, considering that Dear Prudence has some musical similarity with Champagne Supernova (as The Pretty Reckless demonstrated).

Thanks for the content. I agree with the 30-year cycle thing... Kula Shaker new album "Natural Magick" is also well worth a listen.

@marksclassicrockcovers

3 ай бұрын

What about all the guitar based music in the 70s ?

@davidtoddstar8116

3 ай бұрын

As is the new cast album

Thanks James gratis review, in particular the analysis as a concept album. I love this album, fantastic mix of Liam voice with Jhon guitar, but you need to listen to it more and more times before "feeling" it. Was the gig too short?

Definitely going to listen to Do it yourself now. A lovely soul is James

Excellent review. Wish I'd listened to it more before I ran into you at the gig... but have really enjoyed it since. Think it's actually better than Squire's solo albums and The Seahorses. Never listened to Liam's solo albums due to use of professional songwriters, so agree nice to have the authenticity. If they do another lap of gigs, I hope they throw in LMALM, Champage Supernova and something like Love Spreads to the setlist. Wouldn't mind John stepping up the mic for Time Changes Everything, which I actually think was a great track from his first solo record.

great album. Some of the negative shit that got said about it was absolutely ridiculous.

Great review!!!!

it's a grower. By the end of the year I'll love it, mostly.

The choruses are so huge they're undeniable, but the production is way too clean/poppy for me. Last night I listened to Are You Experienced? and felt like that was the direction they should have taken it - a lot more raw. A Squire dirty psychedelic rock album sung by Liam would sound phenomenal.

It's funny people always seem to think an album must be either biblical or utter f**in' garbage, like there's no space in between. The album is pretty solid, it sounds very 95 UK guitar music and I assume it's their intention. Squire, one of the most acclaimed british guitar players of the era wrote the whole thing, and he even got the biggest and most iconic mid-90's UK singer to sing it. It's not definitely not in my greatest albums of the past 20 years-list, but I've got the sense people into more organic melodic and solo-filled guitar stuff feel very relieved by its release and it getting well-recognized by media. +it's really about mr. Squire this time, Liam got his well-deserved success already.

Liam sings “We’ve crossed a line” exactly halfway through the album, midway through track 5 of 10, Just Another Rainbow. There’s a long instrumental after this lyric, which seems to reinforce a tonal shift.

your point about every 30 years is interesting, James. since the 90's i've felt that roughly every 10 years we get a resurgence in guitar based music.. maybe with the exception of the 80's - but i put that down to new technology and synths. but yeah, 1964, 74, 94, 04, 14 and now..

Went to Kentish Town, best gig I’ve been to. Surprised you never mentioned John’s solo work, time changes everything and Marshall’s house. John’s solo work is definitely worth checking out.

@JamesHargreavesGuitar

3 ай бұрын

Already know and like it - but there’s only so much I can cram into a review vid haha I may talk about the solo stuff at some point tho 👍👍

@EwanMac02

3 ай бұрын

@@JamesHargreavesGuitarnot telling you what videos do mate but might be worth a shot, quite under the radar for the next generation of fans. Neither album are on streaming either so makes it even harder to listen to.

@azelaic-venule

3 ай бұрын

Yeah for me TCE is some of John’s best songwriting efforts since the Roses debut, makes you wonder if egos hadn’t got in the way and they’d reformed around that time it could’ve been more than just a cash grab

I don't know if this has been posted yet, but in Love you forever is the line, I feel fine. I like the Album, I just wish it was longer.

I like the line ‘like the suns first kiss’

The album is timeless. Went to see them once then had to go again. Superb music.

New order did something similar with the cover art for Run off Technique in 1989. It was based upon Bold washing powder.

Loved “Do It Yourself”. Saw them Live at Slane supporting the Verve in ‘98.

yeah .. i got the vibe that it’s about the pervasive nature of modern tech in parts - Squire has been tentative and simpler in style -that has merit in its own right , He’s no fool though , i would love to hear some further invention on his part though .. it’s a solid album - He’s defo gone Analogue into digital balls to the wall and it’s great hear Liam rising to the challenge - It’s a real album by real musicians and in this day and age of instaMusic - it’s still highly commendable 🎉 And the band overall are solid -A real band Thank you for your perspective

I was lucky enough to see Oasis live with the Seahorses as support act in 1997. The new album is good. I also like the fact the songwriting is real this time and not as generic as on Liam's other solo albums. On some of the tracks I think a little less guitar would have been more, but on the other hand John's playing is just mesmerizing. The album definitely feels different, compared to Liam's previous solo stuff, though the sound is still a little overcompressed and a bit ear tiring after a while, but in general is is a really good record.

Also James the song "Love You Forever" is also a song lyric from The Beatles' song "I Will" from The White Album!

@Beatlesandqueen4ever

3 ай бұрын

Mother Nature's Son(g) - likely to be inspired by the Sex Pistols, lol!

I thought i was the only one who believed theres a revivial of rock/guitar music every thirty years, so glad it aint just me! To (hopefully) a great decade of rock music!🎉

It took me a few listens to get into the album will say!! But the more I listened the more I got into it, and the gig in Dublin was brilliant!! I think its like it's like the way it's going if no one gives anything time nowadays

When I worked at Lancaster HMV in 1996 John was the only person I'm aware of that ever came in and asked for a basket. He really filled it as well, with a few DVDS but mainly lot's of CD's. I didn't have the guts to ask him for an autograph that day or any of the other times I saw him around my city. I was told he was stopping at one of his Mums properties in Lancaster, no idea why he was in my area but it was cool to even breath the same air for a few months lol. I was 16 years old in 1991 so you can probably imagine which period of John's work went around and around on my Walkman.

@iamtheeggman1986

3 ай бұрын

Dvds in 96 😂

@Davis84396

3 ай бұрын

@@iamtheeggman1986yep, I’m smelling bullshit..

The album offers an element of a fresh positive message in hard times for many. That "uplifting" spirit was behind the roses. But it is very much relevant today... A message that goes back to the baggy scene... And before that to the 60´s. A spiritual message form John. Obviously it will be frowned upon, it goes against the grain.

I love it, seen em in kentish town Monday and even better live. Need a 2nd album. The difference between this and LGs solo is John's a real guitarist and not just a session musician playing what he's told

Personally I saw the album art as a reaction to all the glossy, heavily stylised covers (Hackney Diamonds is a perfect example) that have been put out there in recent years. I loved the cover - I loved the kind of domesticity of it, the 'shove a bunch of household products on there' attitude, and the fact its the type of design that would fill my former graphic design tutors with apoplectic rage 😂

In the middle of my second listen. It's not bad, but the best bits are the bits that sound like Beatles psychedelia. Not sure we need to elevate this to more than it is, but it's fine.

another possible influence on the album cover is Global A Go-Go by Joe Strummer. Squire recently shared a pic I think on instagram promoting one of the vinyl versions and in the background of his room there is a framed picture of that album artwork. re: Beatles references, there's the Paperback Writer riff on I'm So Bored (just in case not already been mentioned). don't get the criticism over the lyrics - Noel was hardly Poet Lauriette... think there's some great lines. Overall great album. Main criticism is seems over-mastered with the dynamics squashed, which can be jarring if you listen loud all the time!

Wow, as big guitar driven rock fan, I can't wait for what the year 2054 brings! 🎸

We all waited for that 2nd Seahorses album, with baited breathe as teenagers, the Roses were done, but Squire was realeasing music (Brown too) - still have my "You Can Talk To Me" single. (And rough demo downloads of scrapped 2nd album tunes 😂)

Seeing it at city hall was something special, a truly biblical partnership. The analysis of this is absolutely incredible, and so is the album itself.

The album reminds me of the seahorses as well and it’s probably the closest we’ll get to another album, minus blue would’ve been the greatest album ever imo it’s already in a great state and I love every song even the more obscure ones that haven’t fully surfaced yet (city in the sky, moth etc) but I wouldn’t want Liam singing it he’s nowhere near as good as helme (who also has an album out in a few days btw), I can’t wait to hear what they do next though

Those Tubes are on fire in the amps he’s using. Was the first thing I thought when I heard the guitar sound

I like the album and listened to it several times at release. Here's what I thought... Raise Your Hands - Similar to Getting Better (by The Beatles) Mars to Liverpool - Sounds a bit like the Seahorses One Day At A Time - 60s band Love meets the Stone Roses I'm A Wheel - Lou Reed Drums. Nice 60s blues riff Just Another Rainbow - Stone Roses abandoned track? Love you Forever - Hendrix style riffs Make it up as you go along - Kinks style Your Not the Only One - Sounds a bit Stonesy or the Faces I'm So Bored - Beatlesy riff. Stooges style lyrics Mother's Nature Song - Sid Barratt / Macca influence

@KyTaundry

3 ай бұрын

Just Another Rainbow is basically Rain by The Beatles lol.

Bollocks, and that’s coming from a die hard Oasis and Stone Roses fan

Good fair review, James. I share your love of The Seahorses, and I don't get why a lot guitar-band-fans don't like them. 6:58 To me it sounds like he's using a Marshall MS2 with a lavalier mic. Some of the lead tones are nice, and sound like they were recorded through a proper amp/mic, but some of it is astonishingly bad IMO. The music on the whole is really great, but the production is lacking. There's a lot of bass-waffle going on, which results in an undefined, ambiguous low end. I'd much prefer a solid, McCartney-esque bass style, that you can hum along to. This isn't as hard as you'd expect. Liam sounds really good for the most part, which was a nice surprise. I also have no complaints with the drums, other than they're a bit crunchy at times, which is again down to the production. For the next record I suggest a better producer, and for them to spend a bit more time getting everything sounding right. Also, get a dedicated bassist who knows what they're doing.

Not sure if this has already been mentioned but he sings "I feel fine" in Love You Forever. That one jumped out at me as an obvious Beatles reference.

Squire was wearing the artwork on his T shirt at the roses gig Madison Square Gardens (also a cool looking leather jacket)

This is a fantastic album that really grows on u with multiple listens. Liams voice is at its best and John's guitar is the perfect match. I've honestly listened to this album more than Liam or Noel's solo stuff. This album oozes style not to be missed 5/5 Check out, raise ur hands , I'm a wheel, and Love u forever and the rest of the album.

The guitar in the chorus of Mars to Liverpool reminds me of If I Needed Someone by the Beatles. It's by George Harrison on Rubber Soul.

The album cover reminds me of the original pills and thrills album cover by the Happy Mondays which was adorned with lots of sweet wrappers but was later replaced by another album cover due to copyright reasons. Maybe the cover is in part a homage to that too.

Do it yourself was on par with The Stone Roses self titled album for me, so good

Have you never heard 25 O'Clock by The Dukes of Stratosphere (XTC) I'd recommend it and not just for the Roses connection / John Leckie. Colin Moulding , Andy Partridge & Dave Gregory recorded it in 1984 85 ...sounds like 1966 though very clever

Cast and starsailors offerings are top notch also.

Ah man i was at Newcastle I wish id seen you!

"Do it yourself"is massively underrated, and "you can't talk to me"...." make it up as you do along" sounds like it could have fit nicely on a seahorses album... I honestly thought they would have played "love me and leave me".... but it was a good gig.. short n sweet, maybe needed another cover somewhere in the middle.

hiya again, I know u don't know how to write an oasis style melody like you said but would you be able to make a video on how you write a vocal melody

I've had minus blue on bootleg from eBay since early 2000s. It's a gateway to what could've been. The Squire / Gallagher collaboration the production is fantastic the guitars are fantastic as are the vocals but some of the songs lyrically seem to miss the mark on the first few listens but you need to listen a few more times and realise that some of them have layered meanings or mean something more to Squire

"Something in the way she walks", opening line of You're Not The Only One, CLEAR Beatles reference...

Love this album. Sounds fresh, great guitar sound and vocals. My album of the year and I was never a big Oasis fan. Def better and much more interesting than anything Noel has released since Oasis 😅

I’m currently trying to play the tears solo from the second coming pure class

Great review and informative. Nice one.

I love the cover Jimbo, I've got it in a frame.

I still think peak squire is with the roses and having a great drummer. I couldn't get on with his solo records due to his sub Tom Verlaine vocals

Any interest in doing a Ride guide? I’m going to see them but don’t know anything about them or the songs

This album has grown on me so much. At a time when everyone is complaining about the Tories or this or that or their fuckin whatever it is, thank the gods of music for allowing liam and john for producing an album that is unapologetically upbeat. Live forever lads

It's half a really good album. I really enjoy: Raise Your Jands Mars To Liverpool One Day At A Time Make It Up As You Go Along I'm So Bored

Raise Your Hands = Why Does It Always Rain On Me (Travis) + Shes Electric ❤❤x

“A disappointing slew of wall-to-wall poppy sh1t” Loving your work! 😂 Similar sentiments to my own review 🙂 Cheers, Jack

It's the best album released by a Gallagher since Morning Glory hands down, and the merit goes to mainly to Squire, but Liam had the audacity to get involved in a very courageous project just because his love for Squire and The Stone Roses when he absolutely had no need to do it in his career right now.

First Liam album I’ve liked since 1995

Personally not for me but if people enjoy it all good to them. Album charts are definitely getting better.

Cheers James, you’re spot on. The album is sensational. Here’s my personal ratings/rankings for each track, based on rinsing it non stop since release day and see it performed live last night in London: You’re Not The Only One 9.5/10 Raise Your Hands 9/10 Love You Forever 9/10 One Day at a Time 9/10 Mother Nature’s Son 8/10 Make it up as you go along 8/10 Just Another Rainbow 7/10 I’m a Wheel 7/10 I’m So Bored 6/10 Mars to Liverpool 6/10 I didn’t love the two singles so had low expectations but from the first few bars of Raise Your Hands I was blown away. Like you say - it’s a cohesive piece of art. And essentially, if you know, you know.

Ok, this made me wanna buy a copy.

Beatles reference in ‘You’re not the only one’ is ‘something in the way she smiles’.

Amazing album!

It's a great album.

to me they were going for a 60s vibe with psychedelic guitars... I love it... but I do think big brother could have added to the lyrics... but overall it's like Wings oasis