Ian Brown and Morrissey -- Similar Solo Careers?

[King Leer]

I'm a very casual fan of Ian Brown's solo stuff. I don't buy the albums but often check out songs on Youtube etc. and keep track of what he's up to when I can.

It strikes me that he and Moz have very similar solo careers. Like a lot of hard core Smiths fans, Stone Roses worshippers often slag off his new stuff, constantly making comparisons.

Brown has a devoted hard core following but his live shows have fans ranging from their teens into the 50s -- not unlike Moz. They're both fighters that keep forging ahead, putting out music, doing shows. Moz is a bigger icon, but Brown is up there, especially in Manchester lore.

Morrissey named an album Strangeways here we come -- Brown did time there...

Thoughts?

[oye terence]

i have always enjoyed Ian Brown,and i can see your points,i think one major difference is that maybe while Morrissey has basically kept to the same ideas and style,guitars,bass and drum and some keyboards,other than the voice,there is a big difference between Ian Brown's solo work and his work with the Stone Roses.
I am not sure if that is on purpose or not,but it does seem to me like he was trying to reject his Stone Roses work once he went solo.

i always forget he was in strangeways.

[Kilt Uncle]

I'm a very casual fan of Ian Brown's solo stuff. I don't buy the albums but often check out songs on Youtube etc. and keep track of what he's up to when I can.

It strikes me that he and Moz have very similar solo careers. Like a lot of hard core Smiths fans, Stone Roses worshippers often slag off his new stuff, constantly making comparisons.

Brown has a devoted hard core following but his live shows have fans ranging from their teens into the 50s -- not unlike Moz. They're both fighters that keep forging ahead, putting out music, doing shows. Moz is a bigger icon, but Brown is up there, especially in Manchester lore.

Morrissey named an album Strangeways here we come -- Brown did time there...

Thoughts?

My thoughts are similar to yours - call a psychologist quick!.. I saw Ian Brown when he supported the Manics in 2002 and found him to be a great performer.

The only difference to me is that, Brown's solo stuff is better than the Stone Roses and Morrissey's isn't as good as The Smiths.

[King Leer]

Forgot to mention that, too -- Brown also peppers his set list with some Roses songs. At one time neither of them played songs from their original groups, but Brown held out a lot longer -- I don't think he played a Roses song until his 2nd or 3rd solo album tour (?).

I do agree about the overall sound/style. Whatever people say about the Lads, there are many Moz solo tracks that would fit comfortably on a Smiths album. Probably couldn't say that for Brown.

There's also a desire for Brown fans to stage invade, it seems. The recent video of him getting yanked off the stage in June was pretty disturbing. He's a little guy with a slight build -- he flies off the stage like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.

i have always enjoyed Ian Brown,and i can see your points,i think one major difference is that maybe while Morrissey has basically kept to the same ideas and style,guitars,bass and drum and some keyboards,other than the voice,there is a big difference between Ian Brown's solo work and his work with the Stone Roses.
I am not sure if that is on purpose or not,but it does seem to me like he was trying to reject his Stone Roses work once he went solo.

i always forget he was in strangeways.

[modrevolve]

The only difference to me is that, Brown's solo stuff is better than the Stone Roses and Morrissey's isn't as good as The Smiths.

Wow..I've never heard anyone ever say such a thing. To many the first proper Roses album is up there as one of the best recordings ever.

[London By Night]

The first Stone Roses album is a stone cold classic. No question there. I find it hard to draw parallels between Brown and Morrissey, though. Morrissey is by far a better singer, more stylish, a better lyricist and altogether more charismatic...a true artist. Brown is alright, don't get me wrong, but if I saw him in the Arndale Centre I'd say, "Alright" and feel he was approachable but if I saw Morrissey I would probably faint. Brown strikes me as very much "one of the people" and makes okay music whereas Morrissey is a true star whose songs cut to the emotional core and stay with you forever. Utterly iconic.

[King Leer]

Wasn't comparing their music or style at all -- just their career trajectories and how they're regarded by fans. Obviously Morrissey is light years ahead in terms of singing ability. Lyrically as well, though I'm sure a lot of Brown's appeal for fans are his lyrics and the way he "delivers" them. Won't say "sing".

Agree that the first SR album is already a timeless classic. It'll only grow in stature.

The first Stone Roses album is a stone cold classic. No question there. I find it hard to draw parallels between Brown and Morrissey, though. Morrissey is by far a better singer, more stylish, a better lyricist and altogether more charismatic...a true artist. Brown is alright, don't get me wrong, but if I saw him in the Arndale Centre I'd say, "Alright" and feel he was approachable but if I saw Morrissey I would probably faint. Brown strikes me as very much "one of the people" and makes okay music whereas Morrissey is a true star whose songs cut to the emotional core and stay with you forever. Utterly iconic.

[Practising Troublemaker]

I'm a very casual fan of Ian Brown's solo stuff. I don't buy the albums but often check out songs on Youtube etc. and keep track of what he's up to when I can.

It strikes me that he and Moz have very similar solo careers. Like a lot of hard core Smiths fans, Stone Roses worshippers often slag off his new stuff, constantly making comparisons.

Brown has a devoted hard core following but his live shows have fans ranging from their teens into the 50s -- not unlike Moz. They're both fighters that keep forging ahead, putting out music, doing shows. Moz is a bigger icon, but Brown is up there, especially in Manchester lore.

Morrissey named an album Strangeways here we come -- Brown did time there...

Thoughts?

I guess you make some valid points. However (and this may just be bias) I think Morrissey has had more success. He has released a few Solo albums that rival Smiths material e.g. Vauxhall, Your Arsenal...personally I don't think Brown has done similar with matching Solo stuff to Roses work.

I also think Morrissey has maintained a better singer voice, having listened to Brown lately his voice has really gone down hill.

In conclusion I feel that thy compare in some ways but in other they are miles apart but hey after all it is two different people Morrissey and Ian Brown.

One other similarity THEY ARE BOTH UNLIKELY TO GET BACK AND RE-FORM THEIR OLD BANDS!!

Love PTxx.

[oye terence]

Forgot to mention that, too -- Brown also peppers his set list with some Roses songs. At one time neither of them played songs from their original groups, but Brown held out a lot longer -- I don't think he played a Roses song until his 2nd or 3rd solo album tour (?).

I do agree about the overall sound/style. Whatever people say about the Lads, there are many Moz solo tracks that would fit comfortably on a Smiths album. Probably couldn't say that for Brown.

There's also a desire for Brown fans to stage invade, it seems. The recent video of him getting yanked off the stage in June was pretty disturbing. He's a little guy with a slight build -- he flies off the stage like the scarecrow in the Wizard of Oz.

exactly,one can say what they want about the quality of the songs but Morrissey basically does the same thing he did in the Smiths,while Ian brown solo stuff sounds quite different.
certainly i am in the mozzer camp but i also think that if i had a chance to have a few pints with either morrissey or ian brown ,i am sure the time with ian brown would be far more enjoyable.
they are different in style as well,i dont think Morrissey would sound right singing a Ian brown song and vice versa.

[konstantinl]

Wow..I've never heard anyone ever say such a thing. To many the first proper Roses album is up there as one of the best recordings ever.

The first Stone Roses album is lifted virtually lock stock and barrel from Primal Scream's debut 'Sonic Flower Groove' and early singles (Primal B Side 'Velocity Girl' was ripped off note for note), a smattering of C86 artists and few 60's and 70's originals thrown in for good measure (go listen to Can's 'I'm So Green' it's virtually the signature Stone Roses beat).

Essentially its one of the most derivate, least deserving of praise, LPs ever put out. The only 'innovation' (ha!) they had was to smother the hybrid in a pumped up rock production so that Joe Punter might find a bit more acceptable than the winsome C86 sound which had been a commercial disaster previously.

They also rode the coattails of the Acid House scene to which they had virtually no stylistic connection whatsoever, unlike, say, The Happy Mondays or, once again, Primal Scream. Unlike the Stone Roses, both The Happy Mondays and particularly Primal Scream were actually brave enough to delve properly into the genre instead of just paying lip service to it.

[Jukebox Jury]

The only difference to me is that, Brown's solo stuff is better than the Stone Roses

Jukebox Jury

[Kilt Uncle]

Jukebox Jury

God you'd think i'd said Camilla Parker Bowles should be crowned Miss World..

I think that musically his solo stuff is far more innovative than the Roses. Given that his voice is quite attractive, though somewhat limited in range, i think he needs really good tunes to keep you interested.

Though, in the interests of disclosure, I'm sure that the Stone Roses said that the Smiths weren't very good, so this may have clouded my judgement somewhat.

[Jukebox Jury]

God you'd think i'd said Camilla Parker Bowles should be crowned Miss World..

Some of us find mature, upper class women attractive
That Judith from The Eggheads for example

Jukebox Jury

[Kilt Uncle]

Some of us find mature, upper class women attractive
That Judith from The Eggheads for example

Jukebox Jury

If it's Nigella Lawson you're talking about then i agree..

I'll check out that Judith. Though i do have a very busy schedule...

[still ill life]

The first Stone Roses album is a stone cold classic. No question there. I find it hard to draw parallels between Brown and Morrissey, though. Morrissey is by far a better singer, more stylish, a better lyricist and altogether more charismatic...a true artist. Brown is alright, don't get me wrong, but if I saw him in the Arndale Centre I'd say, "Alright" and feel he was approachable but if I saw Morrissey I would probably faint. Brown strikes me as very much "one of the people" and makes okay music whereas Morrissey is a true star whose songs cut to the emotional core and stay with you forever. Utterly iconic.

This thread had more to do with solo careers than looks/charisma though...?

[Jukebox Jury]

If it's Nigella Lawson you're talking about then i agree..

I'll check out that Judith. Though i do have a very busy schedule...

No, I couldn't shag the daughter of a tory minister......
Judith however is a proper Lady Penalope and apparently a distant cousin of Camilla. Posh Totty indeed

Jukebox Jury

[Kilt Uncle]

No, I couldn't shag the daughter of a tory minister......
Judith however is a proper Lady Penalope and apparently a distant cousin of Camilla. Posh Totty indeed

Jukebox Jury

Just don't think about Nigel.

I suspect it's a conundrum that you could overcome...

I hope this Judith is pretty special?

[Thistown]

Ian Brown with Unkle anyone check that out.. No way has Ian brown stayed with his roses sound.. No shoegaze going on now. Morrissey has stuck with his sound in terms with The Smiths...

Fear by Ian brown no way does Ian keep anywhere near The Stone Roses.. I think Ian Brown has went way out of the Circle which is great, still love the music...!!!

[malvachat]

No, I couldn't shag the daughter of a tory minister......

What??
Not even up the rear end??
While daddy watchs
Your application for membership of the party will be turned down.Go to jail,go past go,do not collect £200



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Listening to: Madonna - Hanky Panky
via FoxyTunes

[Danny_]

The main difference is Ian Brown has not made any pop classics the way Morrissey has. What Ii mean by that is songs people who were not particular fans would recognise as well known hits. Morrissey has quite a few.