Unfinished Monkey Business
Encyclopedia
Unfinished Monkey Business is the debut solo album by Ian Brown
released in February 1998 via Polydor Records
. The album was self-financed and produced by Brown, and was his first album release since the break-up of The Stone Roses
in October 1996. Ex-Roses members Mani
, Nigel Ippinson, Aziz Ibrahim
and Robbie Maddix helped pen and perform the instruments on many of the album's tracks. "Ice Cold Cube" which premiered at The Stone Roses final concert was officially released on this album.
Much of Unfinished Monkey Business focuses on the acrimonious split between Brown and former Roses' guitarist John Squire
. Brown shares his unabashed opinion of his ex-bandmate on tracks like "Ice Cold Cube", "Can't See Me
", "What Happened To Ya" and "Deep Pile Dreams", focusing in particular on John's self-centredness, two-facedness and dependence on drugs, specifically cocaine
.
The track "Intro Under The Paving Stones: The Beach" was inspired by a slogan from the French
May 1968 protests, an event that also inspired the song "Bye Bye Badman" from The Stone Roses
. A popular protest slogan at the time, "Sous les pavés, la plage!" is translated into English
as "Beneath the pavement, the beach!", and refers to the sand found under paving stones ripped up by rioters to use as projectiles aimed at the police.
The words 'I only ever wanted the one with the flag but all you ever wanted was a sixty dollar bag and a cheap limousine for your deep pile dreams on the highway' also appear in Babyshambles
' second album, Shotter's Nation
. As a result, Brown has songwriting credits on the track "French Dog Blues".
Many critics consider "Corpses in Their Mouths
" to be Brown's best musical output in the 1990s.
Recording began in Brown's home studio and was completed at Chiswick Reach Studios in London. Brown played most of the instruments himself.
On the album's title, Brown stated "The press used to refer to me as 'simian lead singer'. My arms have always been too long for my body. But I've been called 'monkey' all my life, so I thought I'd keep that theme."
Ian Brown
Ian George Brown is an English musician, best known as the lead singer of the alternative rock band The Stone Roses, which broke up in 1996 but are confirmed to reunite in 2012. Since the break-up of the Stone Roses he has pursued a solo career...
released in February 1998 via Polydor Records
Polydor Records
Polydor is a record label owned by Universal Music Group, headquartered in the United Kingdom.-Beginnings:Polydor was originally an independent branch of the Deutsche Grammophon Gesellschaft. Its name was first used as an export label in 1924, the British and German branches of the Gramophone...
. The album was self-financed and produced by Brown, and was his first album release since the break-up of The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses are an English alternative rock band formed in Manchester in 1983. They were one of the pioneering groups of the Madchester movement that was active during the late 1980s and early 1990s...
in October 1996. Ex-Roses members Mani
Gary Mounfield
Gary Manny "Mani" Mounfield , is an English rock bassist of The Stone Roses and Primal Scream. He has a distinctive playing style that combines a fast moving rock style with a dance rhythm or dub groove...
, Nigel Ippinson, Aziz Ibrahim
Aziz Ibrahim
Aziz Ibrahim is a British musician. He was born in Longsight, Manchester to Pakistani parents. He is best known for his work as guitarist with Simply Red, The Stone Roses and their former vocalist Ian Brown in whose support band he regularly performs – both in the studio and live...
and Robbie Maddix helped pen and perform the instruments on many of the album's tracks. "Ice Cold Cube" which premiered at The Stone Roses final concert was officially released on this album.
Much of Unfinished Monkey Business focuses on the acrimonious split between Brown and former Roses' guitarist John Squire
John Squire
John Thomas Squire is an English musician, songwriter and artist.Squire is best known as the guitarist for The Stone Roses, a rock band in which he formed a songwriting partnership with lead singer Ian Brown. After leaving The Stone Roses he went on to found The Seahorses and has since released...
. Brown shares his unabashed opinion of his ex-bandmate on tracks like "Ice Cold Cube", "Can't See Me
Can't See Me
"Can't See Me" is a song by Ian Brown, released as a single from his debut solo album Unfinished Monkey Business. It was released in June, 1998, and rose to #21 on the United Kingdom charts....
", "What Happened To Ya" and "Deep Pile Dreams", focusing in particular on John's self-centredness, two-facedness and dependence on drugs, specifically cocaine
Cocaine
Cocaine is a crystalline tropane alkaloid that is obtained from the leaves of the coca plant. The name comes from "coca" in addition to the alkaloid suffix -ine, forming cocaine. It is a stimulant of the central nervous system, an appetite suppressant, and a topical anesthetic...
.
The track "Intro Under The Paving Stones: The Beach" was inspired by a slogan from the French
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
May 1968 protests, an event that also inspired the song "Bye Bye Badman" from The Stone Roses
The Stone Roses (album)
The Stone Roses is the debut album by English rock band The Stone Roses, released on Silvertone Records in 1989. It cemented the band's reputation among critics, and is still rated by some as one of the most important albums ever...
. A popular protest slogan at the time, "Sous les pavés, la plage!" is translated into English
English language
English is a West Germanic language that arose in the Anglo-Saxon kingdoms of England and spread into what was to become south-east Scotland under the influence of the Anglian medieval kingdom of Northumbria...
as "Beneath the pavement, the beach!", and refers to the sand found under paving stones ripped up by rioters to use as projectiles aimed at the police.
The words 'I only ever wanted the one with the flag but all you ever wanted was a sixty dollar bag and a cheap limousine for your deep pile dreams on the highway' also appear in Babyshambles
Babyshambles
Babyshambles are an English indie rock band established in London. The band was formed by Pete Doherty during a hiatus from his former band The Libertines, but Babyshambles has since become his main project . Babyshambles has released two albums, three EPs and a number of singles...
' second album, Shotter's Nation
Shotter's Nation
Shotter's Nation is the second album by English rock band Babyshambles and was released in the United Kingdom on October 1, 2007 by Parlophone to generally favourable reviews. In the United States the album was released on October 23, 2007 by Astralwerks...
. As a result, Brown has songwriting credits on the track "French Dog Blues".
Many critics consider "Corpses in Their Mouths
Corpses in their Mouths
"Corpses in Their Mouths" is a song written by The Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown and guitarist Aziz Ibrahim. It was issued as the second single to be taken from Brown's debut album Unfinished Monkey Business in April 1998 and managed to reach #14 on the UK Singles Chart...
" to be Brown's best musical output in the 1990s.
Recording began in Brown's home studio and was completed at Chiswick Reach Studios in London. Brown played most of the instruments himself.
On the album's title, Brown stated "The press used to refer to me as 'simian lead singer'. My arms have always been too long for my body. But I've been called 'monkey' all my life, so I thought I'd keep that theme."
Track listing
- "Intro Under the Paving Stones: The Beach" – 1:50
- "My StarMy Star (Ian Brown song)"My Star" is a song by Ian Brown, released as the first single from his first solo album, Unfinished Monkey Business. It peaked at #5 on the UK singles chart.-Track listing:1-Track Promo CD#"My Star " - 4:29CD Single#"My Star" – 5:13...
" – 5:13 - "Can't See MeCan't See Me"Can't See Me" is a song by Ian Brown, released as a single from his debut solo album Unfinished Monkey Business. It was released in June, 1998, and rose to #21 on the United Kingdom charts....
" – 4:54 - "Ice Cold Cube" – 6:27
- "Sunshine" – 3:58
- "Lions" – 6:52
- "Corpses in Their MouthsCorpses in their Mouths"Corpses in Their Mouths" is a song written by The Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown and guitarist Aziz Ibrahim. It was issued as the second single to be taken from Brown's debut album Unfinished Monkey Business in April 1998 and managed to reach #14 on the UK Singles Chart...
" – 4:09 - "What Happened to Ya Part 1" – 3:15
- "What Happened to Ya Part 2" – 5:38
- "Nah Nah" – 3:55
- "Deep Pile Dreams" – 3:39
- "Unfinished Monkey Business" – 3:11