Stone Roses, The: Second Coming (Vinyl 2xLP)
Second Coming is the second and final studio album by English rock band the Stone Roses, released through Geffen Records on 5 December 1994 in the UK. It was recorded at Forge Studios in Oswestry, Shropshire and Rockfield Studios near Monmouth in Wales between 1992 and 1994.
The second album by the Manchester four-piece, it suffered greatly at the time from the sheer weight of expectation generated by both the 5½ year gap between it and the band's eponymous debut, and the band's withdrawal from the live arena for 4½ of those years. There had been speculation in the British press that the high expectations from their debut record had left the band "paralyzed with self-doubt" according to LA Times pop music critic Robert Hilburn. In addition, the Stone Roses made their return to a changed musical environment, having to compete with a new generation of Britpop bands. The album reached number 4 in the UK Album Chart.
Three singles ("Love Spreads", "Ten Storey Love Song", and "Begging You") from the album were released in the UK.
The album cover, created by Squire, features a dark, fabric-like collage of photographs, artwork, text and symbols. Most notable is a stone cherub, taken from a photograph of those found on the Newport Town Bridge, smoking a cigarette. The original photograph was later used for the "Love Spreads" single. The liner notes feature black and white photographs of the band members as children.
- Breaking Into Heaven
- Driving South
- Ten Storey Love Song
- Daybreak
- Your Star Will Shine
- Straight to the Man
- Begging You
- Tightrope
- Good Times
- Tears
- How Do You Sleep
- Love Spreads