A Second Opinion on The Stone Roses’ Second Coming
25 years later, the Madchester greats’ sophomore LP is better than you may recall
Second Coming, The Stone Roses’ aptly titled sophomore set, may have been one of the most anticipated follow-up albums in pop history, and for good reason.
The band’s eponymous debut instantly elevated the band to the top ranks of their generation’s most lauded acts of the late ‘80s and early ‘90s, reaping praises from the public and pundits alike. Some went so far as to herald them as the greatest British group of all time. Cited as champions of the so-called “baggy” set, they shared the spotlight with Oasis, Primal Scream and other denizens of the Manchester music scene whose riveting semi-psychedelic sound ushered in a new trend inBritish rock during a particularly polarizing time.
Nevertheless, it was the anticipation and the high bar the band themselves had set which doomed Second Coming to relative failure even before its first notes were heard. Five and a half years had passed before its release, exacerbated by internal tensions and the determination of their first label, Silvertone, to refuse them release them from their contract so that they could sign with powerhouse Geffen Records. During that time, the group was prohibited from releasing any new material, and given their lack of touring, the lapse had a near fatal effect on the band.
Even so, expectations ran high given Stone Roses’ previous run of hit singles — “Fools Gold,” “Elephant Stone,” “She Bangs the Drum,” “Waterfall,” and “I Am the Resurrection” — all of of which had been culled from that self-titled first album. Although the album would eventually go on to sell over a million units worldwide and peak inside the U.K. Top Five, critical acclaim was definitely muted and nowhere near on par with that initial offering.
Ultimately there was good reason. Given the inevitable comparison to that first album, the band let their insecurities get the best of them to the point where they doubted their own ability to pull off an adequate successor. Tensions reached their peak when the drummer, Remi, left the band a mere three weeks before a tour to support the album was set to begin. A year later, guitarist John Squire announced his departure, leaving singer Ian Brown and bassist Mani to try to salvage what was left on the band’s fragmented reputation.
When it was finally released on December 5, 1994, Second Coming was destined to be Stone Roses’ final effort, ending a short-lived but once promising career. Brown and Squire would achieve some measure of success on their own and a six year Stone Roses reunion from 2011 until 2017 produced some possibility of reclaiming former glories. Nevertheless, the group’s legacy still boils down to the two albums released early on.
ISecond Coming doesn’t sound nearly like the disappointment critics suggested it was at the time. While the opening racket of “Breaking Into Heaven” didn’t necessarily bode well for the rest of the set, “Ten Storey Love Song” provides a career highlight, sounding like a slightly more psychedelic take on the Byrds’ “Chimes of Freedom.” “Tears” and “Your Star Will Shine” follow suit, given their shimmering set-up and gentle melodic distinction. Tribal rhythms and cosmic cacophony dominate much of the rest, particularly songs such “Good Times,” “Tightrope” and “Driving South” in particular.
A quarter century of leeway as its cushion, Second Coming in 2019 stands as a decent requiem for a group with so much more to give.
AUDIO: The Stone Roses Second Coming (full album)
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This article has so many inaccuracies.
I did not write this one I don’t believe — who are you addressing this to?
This was you, Lee. What inaccuracies are you referring to, Reece?
I guess I did write it — so t hanks for your comments and ambiguity seven months after the fact
It could have been much better. Poor production, too many songs and a weak running order all contribute to its issues. I chopped it down to 10 songs with a running order of :
1.) Breaking Into Heaven (would have also chopped 3-4 minutes off the song)
2.) Love Spreads – what a ridiculous placement on the real album
3.) Begging You
4.) Ten Story Love Song
5.) Daybreak
6.) Driving South
7.) Good Times
8.) Tightrope
9.) Straight To The Man
10.) Tears
I must be the rare in liking the album better than the first which as already established.
I don’t think there’s a bad song on it and for those that like the style it will become the classic it deserves.
Well said John (June 29, 2021) … second coming is an absolute masterpiece from start to finish. It’s so funny today looking at how the music press just ‘didn’t get it’ and really illustrates the sheep like bandwagonesque mentality that drowned the scene in that period. This was an extremely brave offering from four very talented musicians, a step forward and an evolution in terms of their sound. Love spreads and ten story love song are just classic roses format songs with added depth and flavour , but for me the real gems are the classic blues driven soulful epics breaking into heaven, driving south, good times, daybreak where Squire’s abilities as a guitarist absolutely shine so brightly, he’s like a man possessed… so inspirational… and browns lyrics together give an edge and an attitude that personified the roses , long before anyone knew who Oasis were.
To the Stone Roses I say this… your music is a gift to the world, it inspires me to help others be passionate about my pursuits and to love thy neighbour. The second coming is aptly named. This was the resurrection and the final message and what a way to go out.