The Rolling Stones ~ England

As you will quickly realize reading the below, I'm no fan of The Rolling Stones. Nonetheless they do have a few albums and 45s worthy of pursuit (for me anyway). I decided to start compiling my thoughts in one listing, latest to earliest (reviews that is). I'll be doing more of this as the blog goes forward. Looks like I never penned any notes for my favorite Stones album Her Satanic Majesties Request. 

Beggars Banquet (1968)

One of their highest rated albums (4th according to RYM), I haven't the slightest idea why that would be the case. Mostly this is blues, and really country blues. Not where I want to be with The Rolling Stones. Most of their albums have a hit or two, and in this case they are 'Sympathy for the Devil' and 'Street Fighting Man'. Those are my fave two from this set as well, and they're not that hot to begin with. At this point in my Rolling Stones journey, this is the bottom of the stack.

Source: 2002 ABKCO (SACD). Also had the LP once from RT but sold it off before digesting the contents.

2/14/25 (review)

Between the Buttons (1967)

This is the second copy I've had float in here. The first was from a collection buy at the end of 2019. It wasn't in very good shape, so when this much nicer LP showed up in RT's collection, I pulled it aside for another listen. My opinion remains unchanged. I find this album fairly static and boring, and the radio hits here are more annoying than pleasurable.

Source: 1967 London (LP)

12/31/21 (review)

Black and Blue (1976)

Not a big fan of the Stones as it is, but I figured something from this period would have no chance. Boy was I right. This was worse than I expected, and that is a very low bar. Talk about a "throw in" album. Contractual obligation and all that. I guess the guitar audition aspect is its only redeeming factor. My least favorite along with Beggars Banquet.

Source: 1976 Rolling Stones (LP)

7/17/21 (review)

Goats Head Soup (1973)

Earlier recording and a little bit better than the above. Still there's nothing here that I would want to return to. Side 1 is average and Side 2 is disappointing. The big hit here is the ballad 'Angie', a song I could go a lifetime without hearing again.

Source: 1973 Rolling Stones (LP)

7/18/21 (review)

Out of Our Heads (1965)

This is clearly their transition album from Chicago blues to psychedelic and hard rock. Here's where you'll find 'Satisfaction' (on album), as well as 'The Last Time'. The Jagger / Richards originals are much better than the covers. It seems they weren't quite ready to take off the training wheels just yet.

Ownership: London (LP). 70's pressing

4/12/21 (review)

Emotional Rescue (1980)

This is the second copy of this album I've found in the last couple of years. I forced myself to listen to it all the way through. I don't remember one thing about it. That was last night. Less than 12 hours ago. I can't imagine the allure of this era of the band. As I said about The Who, the albums by the legendary 60s bands coming into the 80s were rarely of note.

Source: 1980 Rolling Stones (LP)

1/21/21 (review)

The Rolling Stones, Now! (1965)

I've been going soft on these early titles, stating that they mostly fall out of my interest area, but I can still appreciate what they're doing. But on this, their 3rd release, I couldn't find much to hold onto. Mostly it's old-timey blues and rock-n-roll. They were still in the midst of the Hit Parade, and hadn't found their unique sound yet. All the same, this isn't for me.

Source: 1965 London stereo (LP)

12/28/20 (review)

Jumpin' Jack Flash / Child of the Moon (1968)

The a) side is almost as ubiquitous as 'Satisfaction'. I'm just not as keen on it. It's 'Child of the Moon' that's the money piece here, at least for us psych fans. I'd never heard it until now. It's not awesome by the way, but pretty good on the whole. The final conclusion though tells me I can live without. 

Source: 1968 London (SP)

12/20/20 (review)

(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction / The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man (1965)

If you don't know the A) side you are then a very young person, otherwise an impossible situation. And it really is the draw here. The flip is bluesy rock with harmonica, nothing special

Source: London (SP). Later 60s pressing

12/20/20 (review)

12 x 5 (1964)

Yea, this is too early for me. At this point the Stones are not really the Stones. They're finding their way, playing music that was popular in its day. Blues rock, pop, RnB, mod, even rockabilly! A respectful effort, but out of my comfort zone. 

Source: 1964 London (LP). This was a unique pressing that I added to Discogs and since sold.

12/5/20 (review). I just realized the day I heard this. How crazy is that?

Aftermath (1966)

OK, so this is where 'Paint it Black' comes from. If I were to name my favorite Stones song, this would probably be it. 'Under My Thumb' also appears here. Usually that track ends up being covered somewhere, and never that great.  But this version has an odd jazzy feel that I like. But mostly the album is blues rock, and for certain ahead of its time, including the eleven and a half minute closer.

Ownership: 1966 London mono (LP)

11/29/20 (review)

It's Only Rock N' Roll (1974)

Well I'm sure it comes as no surprise that I have very little use for the Stones. I do need to spend a bit more time with their 60s work, but to date, I can't really stomach any of their 70s / 80s albums. And this is no exception. However.... there is one great track that I couldn't believe was the Rolling Stones. A jazz rock number called 'Time Waits For No One'. A great six and a half minutes buried in the middle of this teenage wasteland. All these years, and I never once heard this on the radio. 

Source: 1974 Rolling Stones (LP)

10/9/20 (review)

2/16/25 (new entry)