Hi Gazza,
Since you have heard the entire album even if in lo-fi sound..please give us a review..

including...its their best album since????

i've asked Gary to refrain until the album is released. i've heard the same material - and I have vowed silence on the subject as well.

I'm workin' on one...lol..I actually got a better quality tape of it today so its easier to appreciate (still not as great sound as the album will be, but nonetheless) so i'll put an overview together in a day or two, all being well

Ive heard all of the songs except "Dangerous beauty" so I'll write a bit more when I get more time..Ive listened to the album for almost a week now so any opinions arent based on one listen but about 30

Best since? well...I think the last album that pretty much all of us agree on was a gem was tattoo You..however I personally love BTB almost as much, although many people dont care for it

I'd rate it as the best since Tattoo You. Theres no songs that I would say are poor - maybe three or four which are merely OK or good, but certainly releasable. Lyrically I dont care for Oh No, Not You Again and Neocon, but otherwise its a pleasant surprise

you didn't refrain - in which case I may have to throw in my two cents - but I'm not sure anyone wants to hear from me. what the hell are you doing up at 3 in blessed morning anyway?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-08-18 04:57 by StonesTod.

Thanks

so it is safe to say long time fans will overall be very pleased

How did you folks get to hear the album again?

if we told you we'd have to kill you

so i guess the huge hit single aka start me up is still not there right
rough justice and oh no are very good but not smu, agreed?

i think that's a fair statement, melillo...

StonesTod Wrote:
-------------------------------------------------------
> you didn't refrain -

I posted at the exact time as you asked me to 'refrain'!

in which case I may have to
> throw in my two cents - but I'm not sure anyone
> wants to hear from me. what the hell are you
> doing up at 3 in blessed morning anyway?

A mixture of being an insomniac and a midnight rambler, mate!!!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-08-18 16:29 by Gazza.

Lifted it from a radio station is my guess.

nope - guess again...

I don't mind the being killed part...just tell me where you found it. LOL

I was sent a copy.(as if a radio station is going to play an unreleased album)

anyway - here it is, Bashlets - for what its worth



OK…now I’ve listened to this album almost non stop for the last week (albeit in mostly lo-fi form, although I received a tape in the post yesterday which was better quality), I thought I’d finally get around to giving it some kind of review for those of you who haven’t had a chance to hear it yet and who have asked me what it’s like. The only song I havent heard in full as yet is “Dangerous beauty” as it wasn’t on the tape I was sent – I heard the 30 second sample on Amazon and thought it sounded excellent with block chords from hell that (if the rest of the song is as good) is enough to replace “Start me up” in the canon of great Rolling Stones riffs.

Musically, as you have read, its very minimalist. No horns, no extra backing singers, barely any keyboards that are audible and on 3 of the tracks its just Mick, Keith and Charlie. To get away with an album like that, you really need to have some bloody good tunes and happy to say this album has them by the shitload. Whether its choc-full of potential singles is another matter. If it was 1981, I’d say yes – but music radio and the singles charts are light years away now from that era. What really strikes me however is that every single one of these songs will work very well in live performance. Not since “Some Girls” has that been the case, and hopefully they’ll have the balls to treat us to as many of these in concert as possible.

At 16 songs, there was a fear by some that it would be too long (as Voodoo Lounge was) with several filler songs. However, while thats true to a degree, its more consistent than VL was. The songs that are on the weaker end of the ratings are still decent enough and certainly worthy of release. Put it this way, theyre better than the four new songs on "40 Licks".

So, with the exception of “Dangerous Beauty”, here’s my thoughts on it, song-by-song. Of course, opinions are like a$$holes in that we all have one - and you may think that this one stinks compared to yours!


(Ratings-wise, 10/10 is comparable to Gimme Shelter or Jumpin Jack Flash, 9 is outstanding, 8 is very good, 7 is good, 6 is OK, 5 is mediocre, 4 is crap and anything less is Bon Jovi)

Rough Justice – Y’all know it by now. a cracking and rousing opener, with all of the band firing on all cylinders, especially Charlie. 8/10.

Let Me Down Slow – Quite a few (well more than half) of the songs on this album are about fractured relationships and in many cases, they’re written from a perspective of vulnerability, which is unusual for the Stones. This is one of them – a medium paced country-tinged rocker with some nice slide guitar licks towards the end (presumably by Ronnie). 8/10.

It Wont Take Long – An archetypal signature riff opens what is a stunning driving rocker. Mick sings an excellent kiss-off to an old flame “life is short, one look and its over/comes as quite a shock/All I got is some memories/stuck in an old shoe-box”. What makes the song so special is some delicious lead guitar work. A very danceable track which is really growing on me. 8/10 (will probably be 9/10 by the time the album comes out)

Rain Fell Down – A jagged funky riff which reminds me a bit of “Everything is turning to gold” or “Dance” in some ways. The verses are a kind of rap as Mick relates a tale of a steamy night of passion, followed by a chorus of “and the rain fell down/on the cold hard ground/and the phone kept ringin’/as we made sweet love”. Some gorgeous harmonies on the bridge part of the song, too. 7/10

Streets of Love – An astonishing choice as first single to be honest. Taken in the context of an album track instead of the lead single in the first Stones album in 8 years, it works better. Similar in some ways to “Out of tears” but not as good. At just under five minutes, it’s the longest track on the album. The album version contains a few lines more in the middle just before the solo and a longer fade out than the edited version we’ve heard up to now. The repitition of the word ‘awful’ is …well, awful – but the closing minute redeeems matters slightly. 6/10

Back Of My Hand - a lot more like it. You all know it by now, so not much point dwelling on it. A gorgeous minimalist blues, with Mick stealing the honours with some nifty slide guitar and harp. 8/10.

She Saw Me Coming – an infectious and fun noisy thrash that will no doubt work great as a stadium singalong as the title is repeated over 20 times in the course of three minutes. Lyrically something of a flip side to ‘Under My Thumb’ as this time its Mick who’s been used and spat out by a too-sharp female. 8/10.

Biggest Mistake – this is the real sleeping beauty on the album. Mick has rarely written in such a reflective and self-analytical manner about his shortcomings and how he’s treated the woman in his life.. “I never go out/I’m becoming a grouch/I just watch the TV/and I drink on the couch”. As good a love song as Mick has written in 25 years….you could end up being convinced by him and actually feeling sorry for the randy old bastard. Lyrically, an absolute cracker and melodically absolutely beautiful. 9/10.

This Place is Empty – another cry in your beer song, and this time it’s Keith’s turn. One of the few tracks on the album where the piano is prominent. Pleasant country-style ballad, with some nice harmonies from Mick (singing back up on one of Keith’s songs for the first time in ages). 7/10.

Oh No, Not You Again – familiar from the press conference, but better in the studio. Lively rocker with a good riff and chorus, but let down by utterly banal and juvenile lyrics in the verses (that ‘yellow/jello’couplet is up there with ‘sharks will cry’ as one of the worst lines ever in the Stones’ history). Good tune, but one point off for the lyrics. 7/10.

Laugh, I Nearly Died – Sweet Baby Jesus!! I didn’t think they had one like this left in them. Mick pulls out all the stops on this absolute peach of a song with a fabulous self-reflective, world-weary, seen-it-all lyric and by the time it’s done and dusted almost five minutes later, has rung himself out emotionally. The hook of “been travellin’ far and wide/wonderin’ who’s gonna be my guide” is utterly hypnotic and ends the song in almost a capella fashion with only Charlie’s bass drum keeping the vocals company. With the exception of “Continental Drift”, the best song the Stones have done in almost a quarter of a century. 9/10.

Sweet Neo-Con - the one that all the fuss is about. Doesn’t work for me, unfortunately. Musically its fine (Mick blows some pretty impressive harp throughout over a pretty minimalist backing), but the problem is the lyrics. Throwaway lyrics are fine in a light hearted song but when writing something topical and heavy, sounding like you’re using a rhyming dictionary in order to match up a few insults just sounds trite and unconvincing. The subject matter deserves better. 6/10.

Look What The Cat Dragged In – Think “Undercover of The Night” meets INXS and you’re not far off the mark musically. Tasty fret - work throughout which should keep the guitar freaks happy and Mick’s in fine form lyrically (is it just my ears or is there a mention of “Sgt Pepper” in there?) but as a song there’s something missing for me. 6/10

Driving Too Fast - Gutsy rocker which ‘motors’ along nicely , with a metaphorical lyric comparing life’s turns to an eventful car journey. Bloody good. 8/10.

Infamy - Keith gets to close the album again. The title is a pun on “In For Me” of course. Keith has obviously been watching Kenneth Williams in “Carry on Cleo” when he came up with this title. Some nice harp from Mick again on a decent, but not outstanding track. 6/10.


Conclusions

Best Stones album since ? – Hard to say. Before hearing this album, I really had mixed emotions as to how I would appreciate it. One one hand, as a Stones fanatic, I’m obviously going to be excited by the first record in eight years and there might be a tendency to over-rate it. On the other hand, the wait has been so long that I could end up being disappointed as its natural for some to think that if they have eight years worth of songs, one could expect another Let it Bleed or Exile. I tried to judge it on it’s own merits after repeated listening and I think I’ve been realistic in assessing it. It’s not 1972 anymore, so to expect anything like what the band were capable of back then is pointless.

The last album the Stones released that I think most of us could agree was a gem was Tattoo You, a record that they somehow pulled out of the fire against all logic by assembling a collection of leftovers. Personally, I thought Bridges to Babylon was up there too, but it’s a record that seems to divide people. If I’m going to have to stick my neck above the parapet and rate it compared to previous records, I’ll commit myself by saying that this is as good an album as I think the Stones could have been expected to do at this stage in their career and is probably the best that they’ve done since “Tattoo You”. I thought that they could deliver a good album, but they’ve surpassed my expectations and given us a terrific one. Obviously the conditions that generated the way Mick and Keith wrote these songs together has somehow paid off handsomely and left me wanting another one like it.

However, if this is the last studio album the Rolling Stones ever make, they really will have gone out with a big bang.








Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2005-08-19 02:27 by Gazza.

I find it more interesting to see the elitism here "i've heard the record & you haven't...I wasn't going to tell you how it is...but I will now...I won't tell you how i hear it". You guys are good posters...I'd never have suspected this stuff.

Thank you for thoughts on the album. I can''t wait to hear it! I too have always thought Tattoo You was an astonishing record!

Good review Gazza.....I too love BTB. I'm very excited about this release. I'd buy the disc just for Rough Justice and Back of My Hand.

It wont Take Long and This Place is Empty are now available on rs.com. Go check them out.

Very interesting Gazza, and I like the part where you acknowledge that we may have a tendency to overrate this one. Their great albums have meant so much to us that we all want another one very badly.

I haven't heard any of the songs, aside from the ones that have been played on the radio, but I have read a handful of reviews and I think that we will like a Bigger Bang alot. There is a legitimate buzz about it that didn't exist for B@B or VL.

Thanks Gazza for putting the time and effort in writing the review...

IT WON'T TAKE LONG...Guys, check this out! It's @#$%& great!!! While listening to it, I couldn't help standin' up from my chair and dance over it!!!!!!!

"got to be worked on
don't have no bark nor bite..."

tanks for the review gazza,,in 8-18-05 edition of USA TODAY keith says the new album yelled at us " Dont Overproduce Me "

>The rest is Bon Jovi<

LOL. Bless your heart Gaz.

I can't really wait any longer now.

JumpingKentFlash

thanks for the review- can't wait to buy the album

Cheers gazza.

Thanks for the review Gazza. I listened a few times to "it won't take long" and "this place is empty".

For me this place is empty is the best Keith tune in 25 years. For me it deserves a 9/10

It won't take long is decent but not memorable. It is a driving rocker with some nice gitarlicks but it is not as good as oh no not you again. 7/10

I rated the songs based on the tape I had. Each time I've been subsequently able to hear them the way they SHOULD sound eg as on the versions now on the official site) they sound even better. The two songs that were added to the official site last night I like even more than I did when I posted that review.

We'll agree to differ on It Wont Take Long vs ONNYA, Jagiero!! the hard rockers on the album are generally damn good.

I find it interesting that there are 6 new songs in circulation prior to the official release. Could these songs be one's they will be doing live? You know, letting people going to the August shows hear the new tunes before the disc is released?

Its kinda normal now to circulate a few songs as 'tasters' prior to release

The only ones made officially available that I can make out were the three that were released to radio stations (SOL, RJ and BOMH) plus the two that were added to rs.com last night (It wont take long, This place is empty)

Two of those songs plus Oh No Not you Again and Infamy have already been performed live, of course

Thanks much for the review Gazza, nice job on describing the tunes!

Of course your opinions are given less credibility by your feelings about Hold Back and DW.

:----)

Karl