Description:
Ian Brown's third solo album confirms that the former Stone Roses singer has now settled into what may euphemistically be termed his trademark sound. Music of the Spheres, like its predecessors Unfinished Monkey Business and Golden Greats, coalesces around a shuffling, semi-funky rhythm section, spasmodic guitar sparks, and Ian's comfy, flat vocal intoning a mixed bag of cosmic insights. The conservatism is no drawback: Brown has found a winning formula and is not minded to change it. So, in addition to the musical familiarity, King Monkey revisits previous lyrical concerns: both "Gravy Train" and "Whispers"
Ian Brown's third solo album confirms that the former Stone Roses singer has now settled into what may euphemistically be termed his trademark sound. Music of the Spheres, like its predecessors Unfinished Monkey Business and Golden Greats, coalesces around a shuffling, semi-funky rhythm section, spasmodic guitar sparks, and Ian's comfy, flat vocal intoning a mixed bag of cosmic insights. The conservatism is no drawback: Brown has found a winning formula and is not minded to change it. So, in addition to the musical familiarity, King Monkey revisits previous lyrical concerns: both "Gravy Train" and "Whispers" condemn Met Bar-frequenting, cocaine-abusing media types, and "Hear No Speak No" is merely glancing mystic guff. Brown can do much better and, thankfully, he does. On the layered, symphonic "F.E.A.R." he recites a string of acronyms (For Everyman a Religion, Final Execution and Resurrection, etc) over a luscious stoned beat, and "Stardust" is a lurching, baggy groove-heavy monster from the halcyon days of Madchester, as is the trippy, knowing "Bubbles". True, Ian Brown is still no Sinatra, but to the credit of this maverick icon, Music of the Spheres is a clever, insidious album from a man who knows exactly what he's doing. --Ian Gittins
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Manufacturer: Polydor
Release date: 23 December 2002
Number of discs: 1
EAN: 0731458912620 UPC: 731458912620
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