After Hours screening - review - THE STONE ROSES: MADE OF STONE by Shane Meadows

Meadows allows himself to be transported by his own enthusiasm for his documentary on the reunion for one of the most influential bands in modern music history: The Stone Roses. The result is absolutely infectious. His film is vibrant with both rock and roll vibes and the shivers of anticipation, as it tracks the band’s own journey through it, but also documents on the fans’ excitement. 

Meadows’ film also tells a little about the more or less controversial history of the band, from their beginnings to their premature break-up. It’s a real treat to see an interview of lead singer Ian Brown and guitarist John Squire – the song-writing duo of the band – and answer the questions presented to them half cocky and half shy. In the same way, it is also touching to see such Meadows dedicate a good portion of the documentary to the fans themselves, and the extent of their devotion. In fact, one of the best sequences in the documentary shows the many of them who showed up to the call of the Roses as they announced a free gig for the first thousand fans who would show up with an official band memorabilia, or a CD, or a vinyl sleeve. 

But of course, this being a band about a kickass band responsible for some age defining songs such as Waterfall, Love Spreads and the titular Made of Stone, the music is given a lot of importance. Whether it is through exclusive behind the scene shots of band rehearsals as they write new materials and rehearse old songs or whether it is them killing it live on stage around Europe and in the final sequence at their massive concert at Heaton Park, anything these guys play sounds bloody superb. In fact, this documentary is so alive and kicking that it’s hard to think of anyone being able to sit still while watching. 

It helps that the editing is inspired and the composition of the piece is absolutely solid and imaginative. In the final sequence, shots of the feverish audience watching the Roses perform Fool’s Gold are edited in with the band on stage and simply recreate faithfully the frantic agitation of the atmosphere that magic night. 

What’s more is that Meadows connects with the band and their work in a way that quite possibly would have been unthinkable for just anyone. His passion for the band is so strong, in fact, that he decides to put himself in the documentary showing his own response to the band’s reunion and getting to work with The Stone Roses in the flesh. After a quarrel between drummer Reni and singer Ian Brown, which recalls the dark days of the band’s previous split up, he is asked not to follow them on the next concert dates and films himself expressing his concern that genuinely seem to go beyond the completion of his own documentary. 

The problem with most of these music documentaries is that often times they struggle to overcome an annoying air of snobbishness. But there is nothing snobbish about The Stone Roses: Made of Stone. Meadow’s film is so exhilarating and energetic that if you do not like the band, you won’t like it, but if you do, the only critique you will have is that it didn’t include Love Spreads on the soundtrack... The only thing negative thing ‘serious critics’ might point out may be its excesses in excitement, but that is a totally ludicrous critique that neither here nor there. 

And we don’t like them, do we? Besides, it only takes a listen to the performance of Fool’s Gold in this documentary to prove that. Stop music now!