ripples two years (or so) later

howdy pop pickers

blimey, how time flies. here we are again, then. yet another anniversary of the album Ripples by Ian Brown, look you see. well, ok, in the purest sense this is "only" the second anniversary, but still. no, i am not sure that i shall celebrate the third or any further. it wasn't really a plan to celebrate the first or second, in truth, but done now.

on consulting the calendar recently i noticed (and this echoes much of the above) it was about two years since my disastrous efforts to get hold of the then somewhat taking us by surprise new solo album off of Ian Brown. for those interested, more on the plight of obtaining it here. then i also recalled how i gone done a first year anniversary comment, which can be seen by clicking here if you so wish. my thinking was along the lines of well, why not play it again, see how it all sounds now. 

it would be unusual, or unexpected, for me to all of a sudden say anything negative or untoward concerning the vibes of Ian Brown. no such unusual thing shall happen here. the album (or record, if you like calling things such) does indeed hold up rather well, and i confess to playing it more than once when it was in the stereo. 

much of the sorry state of the world in which we now live in is perfectly reflected in how it is that now so very few of us wonder what, exactly, happened (this time) to see The Stone Roses (once more) come to an end, and Ian Brown return to his solo career. a career, we must note, he did warn was only temporarily "parked" whilst The Stone Roses did their thing. so far the only word on what might have happened came from John Squire. when quizzed, he said that the band had taken a decision not to discuss it, and it was most certainly not going to be him what broke that pledge. 

well, yes, all we have is that comment from John Squire, and this album from Ian Brown, which now all the more sounds like one gigantic statement of displeasure concerning what might have caused the wheels to all fall off once more. or yet again. 

lyrically, it is at every turn one feels as though they are hearing a carefully constructed comment by Brown on the subject of his (presumably now and forever) former band. even the choice of a cover song on the album, Black Roses, does this. none of these comments give any hope, at all, that we may one day hear the band together again. so much, then, for my dream of them being kind to themselves and their bank accounts by finally doing Christmas With The Stone Roses by The Stone Roses. would have been boss, that, but no matter. 

due to the tone of the record, the overall ambience and mood, maybe it would all work out best were this to be the final solo album off of Ian Brown. make no mistake, for yes, anything he releases i shall of course buy on autopilot. but, that said, this, his apparent lament of the end of the band, would make a lovely bookend, mindful of how his solo debut, Unfinished Monkey Business was, for the most part, him being quite cross with John Squire for ending the band (kind of) the first time around. 

should it be that for some reason you do not presently own a copy of Ripples by Ian Brown, then my advice would be yes, now is the time to get one. current market forces indicate that it is somewhat back in demand. just over a year ago the CD was trading hands (new) for pennies north or south of £3. a quick gander at listings now suggest one will have to pay north of £5, yet south if £6, to get it. well worth it. 

right, well, that's that. whereas i shall no doubt play the record (album) (disc) again from time to time, i am not certain it will be mentioned here. maybe, i suppose, if i cannot think of anything different to compose stuff about. 

be excellent to each other!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!