I listened to the flip side ot Tattoo You the other day and realized what unique songs these really were: Worried About You, Tops, Heaven, No Use in Crying, and Waiting on a Friend. The latter can be classified as a ballad, while the other four defy categorization and description. Are they alternative rock?

Not only do the four songs show good musicianship and harmonizing, but they also have a special quality. They are slow and haunting and mysterious. The lyrics are intelligent and reflective.

I think these five songs are some of the best music the Stones have ever made. I would like to hear more of these unusual and unique songs on their next CD. Hopefully, there will be a few more CD's before the men decide to retire.

I started this exact post a few months ago...love side 2...you have my vote!

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treaclefingers
I started this exact post a few months ago...

i'd sue for plagarism...but that's just me...always looking for a cheap buck....

I agree. Side two exhibits a surprising amount of warmth and humanity for a band not known for these characteristics. That they put them all on the same side makes them even more effective. I like them all.

With the exception of Black Limousine, I thought the rockers on side one were for the most part nothing special.

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StonesTod

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treaclefingers
I started this exact post a few months ago...

i'd sue for plagarism...but that's just me...always looking for a cheap buck....

I've had to learn to 'let go'...sometimes you just have to walk away....know when to hold'em, know when to fold'em Know when to walk away, know when to run.

Well, as we know, they reached back over time, to fill in some of the space and that afforded them some good material as they weren't under the gun to make something simultaneously "new" and "good", they had a good producer/engineer, and Jagger, maybe for the first time, paid ALOT of attention to the vocals in a way he hand't before - which he still does now, but the voice has changed.

But yes, it was great! Really my last favorite apart from Voodoo Lounge.

I always thought it was bad programming myself, & would've preferred the fast & songs mixed together on both sides as on other albums.

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Sleepy City
I always thought it was bad programming myself, & would've preferred the fast & songs mixed together on both sides as on other albums.

This kind of programming sometimes makes a legend out of an album. Certainly it did in this case, imo.

But I remember, back in the day, that I didn't like the separation.

I heard HEAVEN on the radio in a coffeehouse two days ago, and I was trying to think if I'd ever heard that song on the radio before. It was a nice surprise.

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Title5Take1
I heard HEAVEN on the radio in a coffeehouse two days ago, and I was trying to think if I'd ever heard that song on the radio before.

be sure to update us when you've arrived at your conclusion.

Archetype or Rock and Roll. ABB is a direct byproduct of that gigantic album.

Heaven is a strange trip while hearing it. Wonderful.

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flilflam
Are they alternative rock?

No. Why anyone would even want to think that about the Stones is beyond me.

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phd
Archetype or Rock and Roll. ABB is a direct byproduct of that gigantic album.

Sorry, but I don't get that.

side 2 of TY is magic...Tops is magnificent.

The last Stones album that meant anything to me. Two solid sides, and lots of pleasant surprises.

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71Tele
The last Stones album that meant anything to me.

abb meant something to me - meant that i shouldn't bother looking forward to new stones albums anymore...

I really, really like b-side of Tattoo too. There is lot of same kind of songs (demos..) recorded during that period (emotional, tattoo, undercover sessions) that didn't end up on official album. Later..Dirty Work period for example those guitar sounds we're forever gone.

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flilflam
Are they alternative rock?

The Stones defined rock. Everything else is alternative

I agree...And unique for Stones album I believe 1 side uptempo & one side slow

It has always been my favorite side of a Stones album. One of their nicest sets of songs ever.

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Sleepy City
I always thought it was bad programming myself, & would've preferred the fast & songs mixed together on both sides as on other albums.

I think I agree. Actually I am almost certain that I made a tape back in the day, mixing them up a bit like you said. Now with mp3s, that task is even easier, I'll have to try it again & see how it flows.

Side 2 of TY is great, especially when I make a combination with my own compilation:

1/ side 2 TY

2/ Winter / Coming Down Again / Thru The Lonely Nights / Till The Next Goodbye / I Think I'm Going Mad

Their last great LP side. Undercover was a mess and Dirty Work was the first CD, making album sides obsolete.

Strangest thing with this side 2 is all these songs were recorded at different period of times between 1972 and 1981.

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kowalski
Strangest thing with this side 2 is all these songs were recorded at different period of times between 1972 and 1981.

Supposedly that is the way it was with the entire album, not just side 2. They needed an album for a tour and w/ Keith & Ronnie drug issues etc. they weren't in a position to start a new album from scratch.

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LeonidP

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kowalski
Strangest thing with this side 2 is all these songs were recorded at different period of times between 1972 and 1981.

Supposedly that is the way it was with the entire album, not just side 2. They needed an album for a tour and w/ Keith & Ronnie drug issues etc. they weren't in a position to start a new album from scratch.

Side 1 is more cohesive. Most of the tracks on it were finished during Emotional Rescue sessions. Side 2 is more tricky with Worried About You from 1975, Tops from 1972, No Use In Crying from 1979, Heathen from 1980 and Waiting On A Friend from bits of 72, 79 and 81 ...

good stuff!

Ive tried to describe it before as grown up, adult sounding music with and edge to it.

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StonesTod

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Title5Take1
I heard HEAVEN on the radio in a coffeehouse two days ago, and I was trying to think if I'd ever heard that song on the radio before.

be sure to update us when you've arrived at your conclusion.

Get back to me in two weeks.

one of my 2 or 3 favorite sides of any Stones LP