Quote
treaclefingers

Quote
dedospegajosos
sounds more like a casual half-baked demo, with no intention even to finish it properly - it just sounds cozy enough.


This sounds like an almost perfect description of HD for me

ha ha

I can get your not liking the album, or it's production. But as easy a line as that is to burn HD with, I don't think "casual half-baked demo" is accurate.

They tried hard, you can see that. I think it's totally alright for you to opine they failed but "casual half-baked demo" is a long way off from what HD is.

Hi Treacle, yes I agree that part is a little harsh, it is not my line.. but generally speaking the album seems unfinished in my opinion, specially in the guitar department..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-27 16:07 by dedospegajosos.

Quote
treaclefingers

Quote
dedospegajosos
With the spirit of keeping things more positive, I suggest that all the people here who were dissapointed with HD,say something positive about the album..

This is honest, no sarcasm in any way...

I´ll start: Micks vocals are fantastic!

I don't believe you but I'll take the bait.

I like the songwriting, the quality of the material and the way they fit so many styles together so effectively, like they always do in their best work.

Yes, the mix of styles is nice, I agree.

The lyrics on SSOH are nice, too, like Mick really had somethings to say here..wish the guitars were equally inspired here..



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-27 16:13 by dedospegajosos.

-



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-27 20:24 by Stoneage.

Quote

I don't believe you but I'll take the bait.

I may not always agree with you Treacle, but your sass and honesty is always appreciated!



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-27 16:31 by dedospegajosos.

I think those who really like Hackney Diamonds, really like Hackney Diamonds. I am taken aback by some of the fawning; and yet, well, it's nice that some elevate it so. If it's rocking your world, then that's super! For me? Hackney Diamonds is OK. It's not a Dirty Work. I really don't know; there's just something that's preventing me from embracing it.

Yea it still holds up for me. Put it down for a while and just listened again while sitting on the beach in NJ this past weekend. I like Get Close more now than during last years tour when I was basically playing the album nonstop going to several shows. Whole Wide World still my favorite. Cant believe already 1 year since the MetLife shows. Blistering version of WWW the second night

Quote
dedospegajosos

Quote

I don't believe you but I'll take the bait.

I may not always agree with you Treacle, but your sass and honesty is always appreciated!

Thanks dedo...taking any of this too seriously is of course ridiculous. We're here for entertainment and mutual enjoyment analyzing every minutia of this band, which is in of itself ridiculous. That said, why not have some fun with it while we're at it?

Quote
dedospegajosos
With the spirit of keeping things more positive, I suggest that all the people here who were dissapointed with HD,say something positive about the album..

This is honest, no sarcasm in any way...

I´ll start: Micks vocals are fantastic!

There is no "Back To Zero", "Sing This All Together etc...", "Sweet Neocon" or "Infamy" on it.
And indeed Mick still has a very good voice. (I am not sure they didn't use autotune here and there, but if they did, it's not noticeable. God, I hate autotune.)

I like the craft that's gone into the HD songs.

You can tell they worked them up a bit more than in recent times - interesting bridges, unexpected chords, instrumental break-downs.

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
Taylor1
Were they all written by him? Didn’t Jagger contribute? And as for Taylor, he helped write Sway and Moonlight Mile.Not comparing Taylor to Keith.Its just that he was the dominant musical force in the band most of the time.Dont hear it on this album

You're saying that like it's a fact. Do you know something I don't?

From what I know Taylor claimed that Mick wrote Sway («I added the guitar solo, but it's Mick's song»). Regarding Moonlight Mile, Taylor claimed he wrote the section with the strings. However, Keith also claimed he wrote the riff that section was based on. Mick said Paul Buckmaster wrote it.

So I suspect that Taylor helped recording (and possibly arranging) those songs, not writing them.

I know something you should know but apparently don’t, and that Taylor has never been known to lie.Moreover, according to Nick Kent, he was so angry he didn’t receive writer credit for the 3 IORR songs he may have quit the band.So when he said he had a hand in writing those songs he is believable.In those days I don’t think Mick was keen on being generous with writer’s credits.But today given his great financial situation, and incredible song writing catalog, maybe he is more likely to credit others.Did you not notice Andrew Watt’s credit.I guess you didn’t.But Taylor’s insignificant contributions to 60 years ofwriting if you believe it which you don’t is not really relevant to the question of whether you believe like I do that waiting18 years for a new album and being disappointed by Keith’s contribution .



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-27 23:17 by Taylor1.

The sound of HACKNEY DIAMONDS is a real album. Forget whatever is done to the vocals and the horrific mastering - the sound of the album, the mix, the way things sound, it is.

BRIDGES has a majority of moments. Flip The Switch, Lowdown, Saint, all of Keith's songs - would fit HD sound wise.

HD is the first album to have a true sound since TATTOO YOU. DIRTY WORK is a giant flake. STEEL WHEELS is neutered. VOODOO is as flat at as a sheet of plywood. It sounds dead.

VOODOO has nothing on BLACK AND BLUE, its closest audio sounding similarity.

HD sounds alive, just as EMOTIONAL RESCUE, TATTOO YOU and a majority of BRIDGES did.

Quote
Big Al
I think those who really like Hackney Diamonds, really like Hackney Diamonds. I am taken aback by some of the fawning; and yet, well, it's nice that some elevate it so. If it's rocking your world, then that's super! For me? Hackney Diamonds is OK. It's not a Dirty Work. I really don't know; there's just something that's preventing me from embracing it.

Yeah i hear you, something about it, it has all the right hallmarks and signatures but there's this feeling it doesn't have any edges, like it's a print on canvas.

Quote
Taylor1
I know something you should know but apparently don’t, and that Taylor has never been known to lie. Moreover, according to Nick Kent, he was so angry he didn’t receive writer credit for the 3 IORR songs he may have quit the band.So when he said he had a hand in writing those songs he is believable.In those days I don’t think Mick was keen on being generous with writer’s credits.But today given his great financial situation, and incredible song writing catalog, maybe he is more likely to credit others.Did you not notice Andrew Watt’s credit.I guess you didn’t.But Taylor’s insignificant contributions to 60 years ofwriting if you believe it which you don’t is not really relevant to the question of whether you believe like I do that waiting18 years for a new album and being disappointed by Keith’s contribution .

Nick Kent? The same guy that claimed that Keith had capoes on his guitars because he was too stoned to play? He's NOT a trustworthy source.

We were discussing Sway and Moonlight Mile here. Taylor himself said he didn't write Sway, and there are different takes on who wrote the string riff on Moonlight Mile. I'm not saying anybody is lying.

There was an interesting paragraph in the unedited interview with Taylor (in that other thread). There he claimed that he started to learn how to write songs (mainly by the piano) round the time when GHS came out.

I know he thought he would get a songwriting credit for Till The Next Goodbye (Carly Simon also that she'd get that, btw) on IORR. Which two other songs on IORR did he claim to have written?



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-28 15:17 by DandelionPowderman.

Quote
DandelionPowderman

Quote
Taylor1
I know something you should know but apparently don’t, and that Taylor has never been known to lie. Moreover, according to Nick Kent, he was so angry he didn’t receive writer credit for the 3 IORR songs he may have quit the band.So when he said he had a hand in writing those songs he is believable.In those days I don’t think Mick was keen on being generous with writer’s credits.But today given his great financial situation, and incredible song writing catalog, maybe he is more likely to credit others.Did you not notice Andrew Watt’s credit.I guess you didn’t.But Taylor’s insignificant contributions to 60 years ofwriting if you believe it which you don’t is not really relevant to the question of whether you believe like I do that waiting18 years for a new album and being disappointed by Keith’s contribution .

Nick Kent? The same guy that claimed that Keith had capoes on his guitars because he was too stoned to play? He's NOT a trustworthy source.

We were discussing Sway and Moonlight Mile here. Taylor himself said he didn't write Sway, and there are different takes on who wrote the string riff on Moonlight Mile. I'm not saying anybody is lying.

There was an interesting paragraph in the unedited interview with Taylor (in that other thread). There he claimed that he started to learn how to write songs (mainly by the piano) round the time when GHS came out.

I know he thought he would get a songwriting credit for Till The Next Goodbye (Carly Simon also that she'd get that, btw) on IORR. Which two other songs on IORR did he claim to have written?

So it's just a coincidence that all those amazing track's by the Stones just happened at that time, nothing to do with Mick Taylor.
Not at all curious as to why Mick and Keith couldn't create anything that even resembles that golden period.

I don't believe it, i also think Taylor is so modest he would say i didn't write Sway.

Strange why he left if it wasn't over song writing credits.

The point I'm unsuccessfully trying to make is that if Mick Jagger comes in with some words on paper it doesn't mean the song is entirely his, Taylor clearly made a lot of those songs what they are the way Brian did on Paint It Black, on Songs like Moonlight Mile / Sway/ CYHNK etc Taylor practically carries the songs with his instrumentals, the instrumental is a large part of the songs and that also shows when he played live, he just wasn't the kind of guy to make waves and demand he gets a credit.

Surely anyone who appreciated his contributions agrees he deserved more songwriting credits.

Skip on ten years and Jagger reveals what he is capable of doing on his own with the solo albums, it's something entirely different. It's basically pop in comparison.



Edited 2 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-29 09:20 by keefriffhards.

Quote
GasLightStreet
The sound of HACKNEY DIAMONDS is a real album. Forget whatever is done to the vocals and the horrific mastering - the sound of the album, the mix, the way things sound, it is.

BRIDGES has a majority of moments. Flip The Switch, Lowdown, Saint, all of Keith's songs - would fit HD sound wise.

HD is the first album to have a true sound since TATTOO YOU. DIRTY WORK is a giant flake. STEEL WHEELS is neutered. VOODOO is as flat at as a sheet of plywood. It sounds dead.

VOODOO has nothing on BLACK AND BLUE, its closest audio sounding similarity.

HD sounds alive, just as EMOTIONAL RESCUE, TATTOO YOU and a majority of BRIDGES did.

Try better sound equipment, or might i suggest an ear wax.

Voodoo Lounge sounds very alive on my system. Last decent memorable album by the Stones, nice bit of collaboration between Mick and Keith, great album in my not so humble opinion, a few filler tracks prevent it being a classic.

Quote
keefriffhards

Quote
GasLightStreet
The sound of HACKNEY DIAMONDS is a real album. Forget whatever is done to the vocals and the horrific mastering - the sound of the album, the mix, the way things sound, it is.

BRIDGES has a majority of moments. Flip The Switch, Lowdown, Saint, all of Keith's songs - would fit HD sound wise.

HD is the first album to have a true sound since TATTOO YOU. DIRTY WORK is a giant flake. STEEL WHEELS is neutered. VOODOO is as flat at as a sheet of plywood. It sounds dead.

VOODOO has nothing on BLACK AND BLUE, its closest audio sounding similarity.

HD sounds alive, just as EMOTIONAL RESCUE, TATTOO YOU and a majority of BRIDGES did.

Try better sound equipment, or might i suggest an ear wax.

Voodoo Lounge sounds very alive on my system. Last decent memorable album by the Stones, nice bit of collaboration between Mick and Keith, great album in my not so humble opinion, a few filler tracks prevent it being a classic.

VOODOO LOUNGE is flat on purpose. I didn't say it doesn't sound alive.

No idea why you would suggest ear wax helping.


Aside from your wrong opinion about the last "decent memorable album by the Stones", it's a flat album: it's as dull as a flat tire enriched with bland songs - the best material was left off. Third worst Stones album behind DW and TSMR.

<So it's just a coincidence that all those amazing track's by the Stones just happened at that time, nothing to do with Mick Taylor.
Not at all curious as to why Mick and Keith couldn't create anything that even resembles that golden period.>

Those amazing tracks were on BB and LIB already - half of the 'golden four albums'.

However, it had a lot to do with Taylor, too, on the following albums. His wonderful playing, that is.

I suspect drugs and a poorer relationship between Mick and Keith lead to a (slight) decline in the quality of songs after that.

Not sure if Taylor reached the same level as the Stones as a songwriter later on himself.

-



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-29 18:29 by Stoneage.

This thread is gompers!! I'm not even able to figure out which Hackney track Taylor is on...

Good point, Munich! Let's talk HD.

I listened to it yesterday, btw. IMO, it's the strong songwriting and playing that makes it so good.

Quote
Munichhilton
This thread is gompers!! I'm not even able to figure out which Hackney track Taylor is on...

Yeah! Why don't we sing this song altogther? See what happens!

Quote
DandelionPowderman


Those amazing tracks were on BB and LIB already - half of the 'golden four albums'.

However, it had a lot to do with Taylor, too, on the following albums. His wonderful playing, that is.

I suspect drugs and a poorer relationship between Mick and Keith lead to a (slight) decline in the quality of songs after that.

Not sure if Taylor reached the same level as the Stones as a songwriter later on himself.

Absolutely Taylor didn't achieve anything himself after the Stones, which leads to my theory that during that period of time Keith seemed to bring out the best in people and they brought out the best in him.

Sorry we're off topic but in the late 60's early 70's everything in Keith's orbit turned to gold.

Being honest even Keith didn't reach those heights again, the Jagger/ Taylor /Richards period was such a cohesive unit a miracle really.

Quote
treaclefingers

Quote
Munichhilton
This thread is gompers!! I'm not even able to figure out which Hackney track Taylor is on...

Yeah! Why don't we sing this song altogther? See what happens!

Which eh, song in particular? I don't care to mess it up like the last time...

Quote
Munichhilton

Quote
treaclefingers

Quote
Munichhilton
This thread is gompers!! I'm not even able to figure out which Hackney track Taylor is on...

Yeah! Why don't we sing this song altogther? See what happens!

Which eh, song in particular? I don't care to mess it up like the last time...

The Last Time's on OOOH's silly. Taylor did the overdubs.

Quote
dedospegajosos
With the spirit of keeping things more positive, I suggest that all the people here who were dissapointed with HD,say something positive about the album..

This is honest, no sarcasm in any way...

I´ll start: Micks vocals are fantastic!

I really loved the artwork, especially the lenticular cover.

Quote
LeonidP

Quote
keefriffhards

Quote
LeonidP

Quote
ProfessorWolf
...

the people that dislike it are entitled to there opinions and to being able to articulate it without them being told there lesser fans because of it
...

That misses the point completely. Many have expressed that the album is not their cup of tea. But a couple, one DB in particular, takes it as a personal afront that people enjoy it, and has posted probably well over 100 times in the thread how much it sucks ... as if he's either trying to convince others, or at least ruin the experience for them.

It's happened to me also, i really loved half the tracks on Dirty Work, thought Mick's efforts and the guitars were great, came to iorr and people like GasLightStreet destroyed the album, way over the top compared to anything I've ever said.
Works both ways i guess if you feel passionate enough about music.

Well I won't get into that one further after this response, as I had my say on that many times ... but you have that one reversed ... DW is definitely their worst album, going by feedback on here (and other sites) ... and there have been a couple posters doing the same as you, HMS in particular -- who thought that if he posted enough about how great it was, he would change people's opinion of the album ... so he turned ever thread into a DW discussion:

"Tumbling Dice is great, but it's not as good as 1/2 of DW."
"Exile is an album of throwawys, not like DW."
... you get the idea. So GL, myself, and a couple others, were responding to that person's constant egging.

Quote

If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

... funny if you think that's what it's about. Again, many expressed dislike for Hackney, nobody cared or gave them grief about it ... it turned into that after you kept posting, multiple times on every page, or so it seemed, about how bad it was -- basically trolling. But whatever, have at it.

btw, I am still not clear, do you like Hackney?

Funny that you make a statement like this LeonidP, as any time I posted my attempting to find what so many others loved about HD and failing to do so, I was slaughtered for it - by you and a couple others I can't recall anymore, and nor do I care to. I didn't consider it trolling myself. I was merely expressing my latest failed attempt at trying to love an album we all waited 18 years for. I haven't listened to it in probably close to a year now. I have no desire to. For that matter, today is the first time I am listening to the Stones in months. Far too many other great, newer, genuine and authentic obscure bands to listen to without getting lost in the shadows of what this band used to be for me. They still put on one helluva show, but it's just not the same without Charlie, I'm afraid.

I don't miss IORR anymore. When I stopped posting because I felt personally attacked for my opinions not following the masses, I would still check in almost daily. I go weeks now without even giving it a thought. Life has moved on from it, and it was a huge part of my existence post my 2nd divorce. Much of the friendliness that drew me here in the first place, some 15+ years ago, has long ago left, replaced by the anointed attitude of a few who's opinions dare not be challenged. I have no use for such drivel these days. Life is far too short for that crap.

I'm happy for all those who love HD, truly. After the excitement of Angry wore off, which it did rather quickly, I realized there was nothing to the album. There's no sustenance. ABB wasn't a great album - far too many weak tracks - but I played the sh outta that one. HD, for me, is relegated to the albums I play only on a rare occasion to mix up things. This includes ER, U, SG, IORR.

In parting, I would just like to add that I, too, love DW, keefriffhards. I know it puts us in the minority, but, for me, it is a much better album than the 3 original studio albums that preceded it (not counting TY, as that was a collection of extra songs). For me, DW is easily in their Top 10 albums, but then I also love Black And Blue, another album that is often sh-canned around here.

Anyway, I wish all of you well - some more than others - but all nonetheless.



Edited 1 time(s). Last edit at 2025-05-30 22:48 by VoodooLounge13.

God the people who hate HD really cannot let it go, can they. Fine, hate the album, and spare no detail as to why it is so very bad, and how awful and deluded anyone who likes it is. I've really enjoyed it from day one, even if it is a long distance from the big four.
'I haven't listened to it in probably close to a year now. I have no desire to' hardly sounds like 'attempting to find what so many others loved about HD and failing to do so' - if you want to know what I loved about it, read my review from when it came out. I stand by it today, even with the over-enthusiasm of hearing a new Rolling Stones album for the first time. You might think I'm a clueless, tastelesss idiot for liking it as much as I do, but I do, and the review will explain why. No one has to agree with it, but for all those who don't like it, you;re all wrong hahaha.

Arts Desk review of Hackney Diamonds

Quote
VoodooLounge13

Quote
LeonidP

Quote
keefriffhards

Quote
LeonidP

Quote
ProfessorWolf
...

the people that dislike it are entitled to there opinions and to being able to articulate it without them being told there lesser fans because of it
...

That misses the point completely. Many have expressed that the album is not their cup of tea. But a couple, one DB in particular, takes it as a personal afront that people enjoy it, and has posted probably well over 100 times in the thread how much it sucks ... as if he's either trying to convince others, or at least ruin the experience for them.

It's happened to me also, i really loved half the tracks on Dirty Work, thought Mick's efforts and the guitars were great, came to iorr and people like GasLightStreet destroyed the album, way over the top compared to anything I've ever said.
Works both ways i guess if you feel passionate enough about music.

Well I won't get into that one further after this response, as I had my say on that many times ... but you have that one reversed ... DW is definitely their worst album, going by feedback on here (and other sites) ... and there have been a couple posters doing the same as you, HMS in particular -- who thought that if he posted enough about how great it was, he would change people's opinion of the album ... so he turned ever thread into a DW discussion:

"Tumbling Dice is great, but it's not as good as 1/2 of DW."
"Exile is an album of throwawys, not like DW."
... you get the idea. So GL, myself, and a couple others, were responding to that person's constant egging.

Quote

If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

... funny if you think that's what it's about. Again, many expressed dislike for Hackney, nobody cared or gave them grief about it ... it turned into that after you kept posting, multiple times on every page, or so it seemed, about how bad it was -- basically trolling. But whatever, have at it.

btw, I am still not clear, do you like Hackney?

Funny that you make a statement like this LeonidP, as any time I posted my attempting to find what so many others loved about HD and failing to do so, I was slaughtered for it - by you and a couple others I can't recall anymore, and nor do I care to. I didn't consider it trolling myself. I was merely expressing my latest failed attempt at trying to love an album we all waited 18 years for. I haven't listened to it in probably close to a year now. I have no desire to. For that matter, today is the first time I am listening to the Stones in months. Far too many other great, newer, genuine and authentic obscure bands to listen to without getting lost in the shadows of what this band used to be for me. They still put on one helluva show, but it's just not the same without Charlie, I'm afraid.

I don't miss IORR anymore. When I stopped posting because I felt personally attacked for my opinions not following the masses, I would still check in almost daily. I go weeks now without even giving it a thought. Life has moved on from it, and it was a huge part of my existence post my 2nd divorce. Much of the friendliness that drew me here in the first place, some 15+ years ago, has long ago left, replaced by the anointed attitude of a few who's opinions dare not be challenged. I have no use for such drivel these days. Life is far too short that crap.

I'm happy for all those who love HD, truly. After the excitement of Angry wore off, which it did rather quickly, I realized there was nothing to the album. There's no sustenance. ABB wasn't a great album - far too many weak tracks - but I played the sh outta that one. HD, for me, is relegated to the albums I play only on a rare occasion to mix up things. This includes ER, U, SG, IORR.

In parting, I would just like to add that I, too, love DW, keefriffhards. I know it puts us in the minority, but, for me, it is a much better album than the 3 original studio albums that preceded it (not counting TY, as that was a collection of extra songs). For me, DW is easily in their Top 10 albums, but then I also love Black And Blue, another album that is often sh-canned around here.

Anyway, I wish all of you well - some more than others - but all nonetheless.

I knew there had to be someone out there other than me hehe.

The thing is, if it's OK to make positive comments about HD and constantly bang on about it like it's a religion then why is it a problem if someone questions that.
It's not a personal insult to ask exactly why is this album so fantastic, it should be OK to want to know is it because you actually like Micks solo work and this is similar with Ronnie playing great on it., or do you think Keith really should back off from songwriting because he's old fashioned so it suits for Keith to take a back seat.
This was supposed to be a Stones album, 18 years of waiting and Keith historically the Stones major song writing force comes out with a few songs and sings one of them.

I don't think Keith is old fashioned at all, Crosseyed Heart proved that, all kinds of music in there from Rock/ Country/ Soul/ Blues/ Funky / Folk / Reggae / Standards / Ballads etc, where is Keith's influnce on HD, I'm not hearing much, just lots of tracks that sound very similar.

If that's all Keith had to offer fine, if he loved the production and finished article and is happy, I'm absolutely OK with that
.
Let's see what the new album comes up with, who knows, maybe there's a few surprises for old boring out of date has-beens like me.

I wish you well too VoodooLounge13 hope you find what you're looking for with Hackney Diamonds 2.

Quote
VoodooLounge13

Quote
LeonidP

Quote
keefriffhards

Quote
LeonidP

Quote
ProfessorWolf
...

the people that dislike it are entitled to there opinions and to being able to articulate it without them being told there lesser fans because of it
...

That misses the point completely. Many have expressed that the album is not their cup of tea. But a couple, one DB in particular, takes it as a personal afront that people enjoy it, and has posted probably well over 100 times in the thread how much it sucks ... as if he's either trying to convince others, or at least ruin the experience for them.

It's happened to me also, i really loved half the tracks on Dirty Work, thought Mick's efforts and the guitars were great, came to iorr and people like GasLightStreet destroyed the album, way over the top compared to anything I've ever said.
Works both ways i guess if you feel passionate enough about music.

Well I won't get into that one further after this response, as I had my say on that many times ... but you have that one reversed ... DW is definitely their worst album, going by feedback on here (and other sites) ... and there have been a couple posters doing the same as you, HMS in particular -- who thought that if he posted enough about how great it was, he would change people's opinion of the album ... so he turned ever thread into a DW discussion:

"Tumbling Dice is great, but it's not as good as 1/2 of DW."
"Exile is an album of throwawys, not like DW."
... you get the idea. So GL, myself, and a couple others, were responding to that person's constant egging.

Quote

If you can't stand the heat get out of the kitchen.

... funny if you think that's what it's about. Again, many expressed dislike for Hackney, nobody cared or gave them grief about it ... it turned into that after you kept posting, multiple times on every page, or so it seemed, about how bad it was -- basically trolling. But whatever, have at it.

btw, I am still not clear, do you like Hackney?

Funny that you make a statement like this LeonidP, as any time I posted my attempting to find what so many others loved about HD and failing to do so, I was slaughtered for it - by you and a couple others I can't recall anymore, and nor do I care to. I didn't consider it trolling myself. I was merely expressing my latest failed attempt at trying to love an album we all waited 18 years for. I haven't listened to it in probably close to a year now. I have no desire to. For that matter, today is the first time I am listening to the Stones in months. Far too many other great, newer, genuine and authentic obscure bands to listen to without getting lost in the shadows of what this band used to be for me. They still put on one helluva show, but it's just not the same without Charlie, I'm afraid.

I don't miss IORR anymore. When I stopped posting because I felt personally attacked for my opinions not following the masses, I would still check in almost daily. I go weeks now without even giving it a thought. Life has moved on from it, and it was a huge part of my existence post my 2nd divorce. Much of the friendliness that drew me here in the first place, some 15+ years ago, has long ago left, replaced by the anointed attitude of a few who's opinions dare not be challenged. I have no use for such drivel these days. Life is far too short that crap.

I'm happy for all those who love HD, truly. After the excitement of Angry wore off, which it did rather quickly, I realized there was nothing to the album. There's no sustenance. ABB wasn't a great album - far too many weak tracks - but I played the sh outta that one. HD, for me, is relegated to the albums I play only on a rare occasion to mix up things. This includes ER, U, SG, IORR.

In parting, I would just like to add that I, too, love DW, keefriffhards. I know it puts us in the minority, but, for me, it is a much better album than the 3 original studio albums that preceded it (not counting TY, as that was a collection of extra songs). For me, DW is easily in their Top 10 albums, but then I also love Black And Blue, another album that is often sh-canned around here.

Anyway, I wish all of you well - some more than others - but all nonetheless.

Great to see you posting again Voodoo! I've missed ya! Well, I for one thought and think the same about HD but for me it's the production which ruins it + some strollings WAAAYYY to close to MOR/Spin Doctors-esque territory (Get Close and Depending On You in particular).

That dry cool ONLY-Stones-can-do-sound a la Don Was or Kimsey is missing thoroughly. ER and U for me are better albums than DW but other than that I agree wholeheartedly. Still I'm very happy that we get anything at all from the lads even if I wish Was or Kimsey would come back instead

i think you can never unlearn.i listen to hackney and things like goodbye girl
i think thats the spelling anyway mick taylor can not play like 1972 he grown as artist and aged.i glad of all the opinion. but mick couldn't write about people directing traffic in plastic bags today.. give me context but in 1978 in new york..hackney still wets my whistle.i can imagine what the band has to do to get an album made today.battery dying