ロックの進化が途絶えてしまった８０年代。ジャンクフードのように無数に生産されては消費されていく産業ロック時代に忽然と姿を現したストーンローゼス。６０年代のフォークを想起させるような甘美なメロディーを携えたソングライティングと、８０年代後半のアシッドハウスカルチャーを融合させたそのサウンドは、低迷を続けていたイギリス音楽シーンに衝撃を与え、彼らをマッドチェスタームーブメントの立役者へと押し上げた。

In the 1980s, the rock music scene ceased its progress, and became just a commercial industry only repeating produce and consumption of endless number of products just like junk-food. Around that time, the British band “Stone Roses” suddenly appeared on the British music scene. Their music had both of the sweet melody which reminds us the folk music in the 1960s, and the unique sound fused with the acid-house culture in the 1980s. Their music was sensational for the faltering British music world, and they became the driving force behind the “Madchester movement”.

バンドの土台でありエンジンであるリズム隊、独特のうねりをみせるマニのベースと千手観音のように多彩な音を生み出すレニのドラムのコンビネーションはロックの歴史上最高のグルーブを生み出しているといっても過言ではない。

The rhythmic section acts an important role as a foundation and the engine of the band. The bassist, Mani’s playing has kind of unique waves, and the drummer, Reni plays various kinds of sounds like the “senjukannon”(Asian multi-armed deity) . It's not an exaggeration to say that their combination generated the best groove in history of rock music.

そして、そのリズム隊を統制するのは、独創性と懐かしさを兼ね備えた美しいフレーズとリフを紡ぎだすジョン・スクワイア。ジミー・ペイジを彷彿させるそのギタープレイは、時には歌うように、時には叫ぶように、そして時には囁くように、万華鏡さながらに形を変えながら曲たちに色を添えていく。

Also, the guitarist, Jonathan Squire, controls the rhythmic section with his beautiful playing which has both of uniqueness and a sense of nostalgia. He plays like singing, shouting and sometimes like whispering, and that reminds us of Jimmy Page, the British historical guitarist. Jonathan’s playing adds a touch of color to each song, transforming like a “mangekyou” (Japanese kaleidoscope).

そして、イアン・ブラウン。ヴォーカリストとしての技術は拙いながらも、確固たる意志を感じさせる独特の浮遊感を持った声で、３人が作り上げた楽曲に命を吹き込む。

The last member is the vocalist, Ian Brown. Although his technique as a vocalist is not really fantastic, he has a unique magical voice which sounds very convinced. His voice breathes life into each tune created by the other three members.

新たな時代の到来を告げるかのような静寂に始まり、「I wanna be adored」（憧れられたい）と繰り返し、強烈なグルーブで幕を閉じる１曲目。天国へさえ連れて行ってくれそうな多幸感に溢れたグルーブを持つ「Waterfall」。「Elephant　Stone」の腰を直撃する強度と衝撃性を持つグルーブは、究極的享楽の世界へといざなう。すべての曲たちは、ロックの基本原理とも言える「ここではないどこか」を希求する強いロマンチシズムに溢れ、聴く者に永遠に続くかのような心地良い高揚感をもたらしてくれる。マンチェスターのチンピラたちが生み出した、ロックの歴史さえも変えてしまった衝撃的デビュー作。

The first track of the album begins with the hushed silence as if it tells us the arrival of the new era. The phrase “I wanna be adored” is repeated many times and it finishes with the explosive groove. The third track, “Waterfall”, is full of happiness, like bringing us to the heaven. “Elephant Stone” has a powerful and gut-wrenching groove and it lures us into the world of ultimate pleasures.

It is said that the cardinal principle of rock music is the romanticism that longs for “somewhere but not here”. In this album, all of the songs are full of that kind of romanticism, and they give us pleasant euphoricness. This debut album, created by the street gangs from Manchester, had changed the history of rock music.

Teira Aonuma, Student of BA Media and Communications, Goldsmith University of London

青沼　禎良　ロンドン大学ゴールドスミス校在学中　メディア＆コミュニケーション専攻

 

 　　Backnumbers　| UK-JAPAN Homepage｜December Mini Feature No.2| Previous Features