Ian Brown's 'Solarized' album - Tiscali Music Reviews

13/09/2004

Album release date: 13th September 2004

For all his faults (including time in prison and the odd bout of tuneless warbling) Ian Brown has managed to have a career that many would be pleased with.

His time with The Stone Roses produced one of the finest debut albums ever released in Britain whilst his solo work has constantly enthralled, surprised and entertained. His fourth effort, 'Solarized', is no exception.

Full of innovation and artistry, it is Brown's finest set of songs to date.

Opening with the backwards guitar and funky rhythms of 'Longsight M13' (an ode to the area of Manchester that still retains the legendary 'Free Ian Brown' graffiti), 'Solarized' is an album that marks Brown out as a true musical genius.

The Mexican vibes of 'Time Is My Everything' further consolidate Brown's status with a rousing stab of horns and a vocal that is effortlessly cool whilst first single (and Noel Gallagher collaboration) 'Keep What Ya Got' is the sound of two living legends bouncing off each other with majestic glee.

Elsewhere the epic 'Destiny Or Circumstance' is awash with fuzzed-up guitar, 'Upside Down' yearns for a better world to a backdrop of sparse beats, parping horns and shimmering percussion and the title track is an eastern flavoured slice of sublime chillout.

The love ode 'The Sweet Fantastic' offers up further thrills with its groove laden chorus proclaiming to some unknown recipient, "I feel fantastic/You make me feel majestic" whilst the clattering rock of 'One Way Ticket To Paradise' offers us a glimpse of how best to use your Led Zep influences (take note Mr Squire).

'Solarized' sees King Monkey shift gear once again to produce an album that hints at just what the Roses may have become. An album full of intelligence, inspiration and idiosyncratic marvel, it marks Ian Brown out as an elder statesman Manchester (and Britain) can be proud of.