Do It Yourself

After the long-overdue breakup of The Stone Roses, all eyes were on guitarist John Squire, whom many saw as the driving force behind the band. Squire eventually resurfaced as guitarist with the Seahorses on their debut album, DO IT YOURSELF. Seahorses singer-songwriter Chris Helme is an engaging vocalist, singing with clarity and sincerity (two qualitites not exactly in abundance in The Stone Roses). Bassist Stuart Fletcher and drummer Andy Watts give Squire solid ground to stand upon and plenty of room to work. And work he does, playing off every melodic turn and rhythmic break, filling his compositions with the chiming arpeggios and long, snaking leads which made the Stone Roses legendary. Producer Tony Visconti (Bowie, T-Rex, Thin Lizzy), a distinguished figure in British pop history, brings his own powerful vision to DO IT YOURSELF. He Gives the album a huge, classic-rock sound, but also contributes unusual instrumental touches (Mellotron, tambura, Theremin), as well as some inspired string arrangements.