So The Stone Roses are to reform. Can't say that I really give a monkey's chuff (apt expression if you are familiar with singer Ian Brown's simian appearance), as I always thought them highly overrated. However, it's further evidence to back up my theory that all bands will eventually reform, even those that no-one cares about. Step forward, JoBoxers!
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It's certainly more notable these days if a band who achieved a degree of success first time around hasn't put their musical/personal/you-ripped-me-off-you-bastard differences aside to crank out the hits (and fillers if necessary - see Pulp at Glastonbury earlier this year). I examined the reasons for the surge of recent reunions in my post Dead Singer For Love, with money obviously being a major motivating factor. At least in the case of The Roses all of the original members are still alive, so there won't be a departed bandmate revolving in a Manchester grave whilst the others 'pay tribute' night after night, splitting the takings into one pile fewer.
Hilariously, but somehow at the same time depressingly, Steps are #1 in the UK Album charts some ten years after their original split. If you're not familiar with their work, well, lucky you. Their string of hits either side of the Millenium included arse-achingly terrible Bee Gees covers and line dance craze cash-ins. A reunion tour of large venues is also selling well. Being of an extremely manufactured nature (even within that field), I wouldn't normally even acknowledge Steps, but their resurgence is symptomatic of a feeling I get from all directions and all kinds of people, that everything used to be better than it is now, that, to quote Blur, MODERN LIFE IS RUBBISH.
Of course we are in the middle of a global economic downturn, in which many of us are feeling badly affected, so it is understandable if we look back to a time in the not too distant past when things were better and we were happier. That happy picture in our mind often comes with its own soundtrack, and therein lies a lucrative market. Ian Brown himself said at the press conference today: "I think at times like this we can uplift people." That remains to be seen, but we all want to feel young again, and for a couple of hours in a dimly-lit concert hall this can be possible, as long as the band concerned have at least taken the trouble to rehearse properly and the singer's voice isn't totally shot from his recent job removing asbestos from office buildings.
I also think the whole nostalgia bandwagon coincides with a real dearth in quality new music. Personally. in the last few years I have struggled to find new bands and artists that really hold my attention. Every now and again someone comes along with a unique and original sound which at first appeals but within a short space of time just irritates. Fleet Foxes, Antony and the Johnsons, Bon Iver all spring to mind. Maybe all the good sounds have already been thought of and all future music should simply be variations of these.
There are exceptions in my own personal pop/rock drought: I've enjoyed albums by The Pierces and The Silver Seas in recent months, and think there;s something very wrong with a world in which The Shins aren't a household name. More often though, it's new releases by old favourites which excite, the 3 disc Ben Folds retrospective which just arrived being a perfect example.
Anyhow, if you shell out for tickets for The Stone Roses shows, I hope you get what you want out of the experience. I have to stop writing now and get ready for the Starland Vocal Band gig at Birmingham Town Hall. Apparently they're sounding better than ever.
"Gonna find my baby, gonna hold her tight,
Gonna grab some afternoon delight"
Yeah! Good Times!
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