This came out in 1999 – or at least that’s when I got it. Here’s what I said about it back then (with some minor editing):
After a few years of hibernation and a lo-fi home-recorded disc last year, former Stone Roses frontman Ian Brown has returned to full-fledged recording with Golden Greats — and it’s an apt title.
During his time away, Brown has apparently fallen under the spell of acid house and electronica; these tracks boast the cheeky production, stream-of-consciousness arrangements and cybernetic ambience of a good Chemical Brothers track. But at their heart, they’re still pop songs, built on solid hooks and boasting the grandeur and snot of the best Roses tunes. Looks like you can take the boy out of Brit-rock, but you can’t take the Brit-rock out of the boy.
