The Rolling Stones, “It’s only rock ‘n roll, but I like it”
HUB Staff Writer—
For some of us it’s hard to believe, but yes, it’s true.
That British band from the 60’s that’s famous for its edgy song lyrics, timeless riffs, onstage dance moves and a pair of enormous lips is still rocking 50 years after its formation. Front men Mick Jagger and Keith Richards are pushing age 70.
As Phil Dunphy would say, “Why the face?”
The Rolling Stones released “GRRR!,” a compilation album of the best tracks of their career, in Nov. 2012.
The tracks are in chronological order, which not only features the Stones’ best tunes, but also effectively illustrates the different eras of the group.
The album, which consists of three CDs, is packed with songs that showcase the Stones at their finest. The vocals are infused with style, soul and that trademark Jagger swagger. Keith is on fire, knocking out riff after riff on his 5-string guitar.
Radical lyrics are everywhere—in “Brown Sugar” Jagger sings about the evils of slavery, in “Sympathy for the Devil” the Kennedy assassination is mentioned, and in “It’s Only Rock ‘n Roll” the excesses of fame are emphasized.
“GRRR!” contains songs of many genres, including rock, gospel, rhythm and blues, and even a little disco in “Miss You.”
The two new songs, “Doom and Gloom” and “One More Shot” are pure classics. Mick actually sounds better than ever and Keith is always a stud.
The new tracks have that certain 60’s-70’s vibe which will have the listener lured in to the old school, vinyl-esque grooves.
“One More Shot” is lyrically relevant as well—Jagger sings about fracking for oil, overseas wars and poverty.
As good as “GRRR!” is, there’s no way a 50-song album could capture the entire essence of the Stones. A couple of big songs were not included, including “Mother’s Little Helper” and “Shattered.”
However, for all you rockers out there, this album is a must-buy. And even if it’s not your thing, get it anyway—everybody should understand and appreciate these legends.
But owning only one album isn’t going to cut it if you are looking to be a true Stones fan. “GRRR!” is simply a summary of who the Rolling Stones are; it by no means tells the full story. Go pick up a copy of “Exile on Main Street” or “Sticky Fingers,” and then we’ll talk.
