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From the book 1001 Albums You Must Hear Before You Die.

The Rolling Stones

The Rolling Stones

1964

Buy At Rough Trade
The Rolling Stones
Album Summary

The Rolling Stones is the debut studio album by the English rock band of the same name, released by Decca Records in the UK on 16 April 1964. The American edition of the LP, with a slightly different track list, came out on London Records on 30 May 1964, subtitled England's Newest Hit Makers, which later became its official title. Recorded at Regent Sound Studios in London over the course of five days in January and February 1964, The Rolling Stones was produced by then-managers Andrew Loog Oldham and Eric Easton. The album was originally released by Decca Records in the UK, while the US version appeared on the London Records label. The majority of the tracks reflect the band's love for R&B. Mick Jagger and Keith Richards (whose professional name until 1978 omitted the "s" in his surname) were fledgling songwriters during early 1964, contributing only one original composition to the album: "Tell Me (You're Coming Back)". Two songs are credited to "Nanker Phelge" – a pseudonym the band used for group compositions from 1963 to 1965. Phil Spector and Gene Pitney both contributed to the recording sessions, and are referred to as "Uncle Phil and Uncle Gene" in the subtitle of the Phelge instrumental "Now I've Got a Witness".

Wikipedia

Rating

3.27

Votes

9949
Genres
Rock

Reviews

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Tue May 02 2023
3

If this were the only Rolling Stones album it wouldn’t be on the list.

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Tue Aug 15 2023
2

Just a few covers of black musicians which did it better

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Tue Mar 07 2023
3

It's pretty good, I can see why it caught on, and their debut album is certainly an important moment in rock history. The fact that all but one are covers makes the album less interesting, and the one original is a sleeper. I like the bold move of not including the band name on the cover, but it would have been even better if they didn't put the label name there either (if I'm honest that almost ruins the effect).

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Sun Apr 09 2023
3

Enjoyable, but yer not getting more than 3 for an album of covers.

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Sun May 21 2023
3

As with the first album of the Beatles, listening to this is historically interesting but nothing you need to check out. A cover of blues songs and not as interesting as their later works.

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Thu Aug 10 2023
2

They're a good cover band, though I'm not a fan of covers, especially on 1001. It would take a few years before they got over writer's block and became hit machines. But if this and their next couple of albums, free of original compositions, was all they ever put out, we would have never heard of them.

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Sat Mar 25 2023
3

It’s alright R&B and blues styled music, but I have no idea why they chose this over one of their later albums. It’s got none of their famous songs, nor does it work well as an album. Purely meh.

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Mon Aug 14 2023
2

Really? Karaoke R&B covers, would have preferred the opportunity to hear literally *anything* else instead. Not mean spirited enough to give a 1* as the efforts are technically OK and I like the cover photo, but damn close. No more completist crap please

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Sat Jan 13 2024
1

News flash - most derivative band of all time started off with a generic derivative covers album. This is the most uninteresting album in the history of humankind. It makes me feel primal rage from how bland it is. The time is now, Mick Jagger. You are not ready for The Frog War of '24.

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Tue Feb 07 2023
5

Nacimiento de la leyenda. Vinilo.

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Mon Mar 20 2023
5

It's The Stones but in a more subdued way. You can tell it's their very early stuff. Sounds and feels like them but punches lighter to me

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Fri Jun 16 2023
5

I think I actually liked this more than their later stuff. Sacrilege, I know. I liked the majority of the songs. My favourite was "Carol" which I see now is a Chuck Berry cover. I listened to this twice through, which means that's 5 material.

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Fri Feb 17 2023
4

A blunt punch in the front bottom. The Rolling Stones are the only group of men I would let loose on my mother. She's gagging for it, the slag.

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Wed Feb 22 2023
3

I can't help but think of that scene in Spinal Tap, as a skiffle band, The Thamesmen. Those slightly embarrassing early years. 2.5

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Fri Aug 04 2023
3

Slight but satisfying. There's not much of a hint of what was to come for the band, but it's clearly better than most of their contemporaries.

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Fri Aug 18 2023
3

I can see why this album was chosen to be on this list since most people including causal Stones fan might not have heard it. It gives an intro into one of the biggest bands of all time and the Brain Jones lead era. Is it good? It's ok, the problem is listening now I've heard and love the versions of theses songs by the American blues artists that originally performed them. The Rolling Stones versions don't really measure up, perhaps in England in the early 60's they sounded new and fresh but not now. I will admit the version of King Bee is still really, really good.

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Fri Aug 18 2023
3

1. How did Charlie Watts ever get caught up with these people? Did he lose a bet? 2. This album doesn't make me want to stab myself in the ears.

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Wed Mar 22 2023
2

Just too early. Shades of what was to come, but R&B/Honky Tonk covers just don't thrill me. Ground breaking at the time I'm sure, but just dull and dated 60 years later sadly.

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Thu Aug 10 2023
2

I guess the first album of a band as big as the Stones has to be included. It falls short compared to the Beatles and The Who’s first albums since it lacks the creativity those other debut albums had and doesn’t have a meaningful original tune. I always thought of the Stones as followers rather than trend setters - darn good followers but followers nonetheless. This album validates that.

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Fri Aug 18 2023
2

I like the Rolling Stones and personally enjoyed listening to this album, but it shouldn’t on this list, it’s a covers album with no stand out hits,

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Fri Jan 05 2024
2

The sound overall is a tad too slovenly.

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Mon Oct 30 2023
1

If it wasn't for the band's name, there's no way this album would get curated here. And while I'm at it: there are way too many Stones curated here.

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Wed Feb 22 2023
5

From the very beginning the Stones had a raw and decadent sound, the crude production adds rather subtracts. Sure it relies heavily on covers but that's just a reflection of those times. Easily the best of their early albums.

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Wed Apr 26 2023
5

Peerless and answers the question for me of comparisons to The Beatles - how can you compare apples to oranges?

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Wed May 03 2023
5

What a completely unexpected debut for the Rolling Stones! These blue classics just fly through my headphones though. Very important piece of music history, and an album very well deserving of this distinction. Favorite track: Carol

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Sat May 27 2023
5

Oh what a stellar album. I’m new to most Rolling Stones but as far as debuts go, this is way better than most. Perfect and timeless.

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Thu Jun 08 2023
5

This is the kind of stuff that I was hoping to hear a ton of with this list. Mona- I thought this was Bo Diddley at first. There was another song that sounded just like a chuck berry song.

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Mon Jul 10 2023
5

Super Album pour une premier j'ai adoré. 5

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Tue Jul 11 2023
5

They should have quit while they were ahead.

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Fri Jul 28 2023
5

El començament d'una llegenda. Per més anys que passin, això continua sonant igual de desgarvat, rebel, sorollós i irresistible. 5 estrelles no només pel que va significar, sinó per la seva pròpia vàlua com a àlbum. Versions que milloren les originals, originals que marcaven l'emprempta d'una de les millors societats compositives de la història. Oblidant tot el que el futur depararia, el treball per si mateix ja mereix el seu propi lloc a la història

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Sun Oct 01 2023
5

Album 183 of 1001 The Rolling Stones - The Rolling Stones Rating : 5 / 5 Favorite Track : Route 66 Most likely, if The Rolling Stones had never released another album after this I wouldn't rank it the same...but they did. This album is often panned because it is just cover tunes. That doesn't really matter to me. It is an enjoyable record. This was at a point of time where a lot was going on in the music world. Give a band a break for trying to find their place. Their cover of Route 66 is one of my favorites of all time. Quite comfortable putting this album up there with those I find most enjoyable. Nobody is talking about giving them writing awards for this. It is just good bluesy entertainment.

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Sun Dec 10 2023
5

"The Rolling Stones" (1964), the eponymous debut album by the legendary rock band, is a raw and electrifying burst of rhythm and blues energy. From the opening chords of "Route 66" to the soulful cover of Willie Dixon's "I Just Want to Make Love to You," the album captures the youthful exuberance and musical prowess of the early Rolling Stones. Mick Jagger's charismatic vocals, Keith Richards' gritty guitar, and the band's overall synergy make this record an enduring classic. It laid the foundation for the Stones' iconic sound and established them as a force to be reckoned with in the rock 'n' roll scene. "The Rolling Stones" is a 5/5, a landmark debut that set the stage for decades of rock greatness.

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Thu Jan 25 2024
5

Love it, classic, the template of a band.

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Thu Feb 01 2024
5

You have to look at this album in context of time. R&B performed by white guys was revolutionary in 64. Maybe the 'bad boys' image of the Stones was founded by this album.

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Fri Feb 02 2024
5

Who are these suited lads looking so dapper? I’m glad this very early Rolling Stones album should be on this list. It’s pretty interesting to hear them as they found their way, and I liked all the covers. Not my favorite Rolling Stones album, but that’s a pretty high bar, and I still enjoyed this a lot.

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Fri Feb 02 2024
5

While Mick Jagger's literal voice is unmistakable, it's clear the band hasn't found the Rolling Stones' voice quite yet. This sounds like some talented kids imitating their musical heroes. But if you're going to make a list of 1001 albums you must hear before you die, I think you've got to put the Rolling Stones' debut on that list. So even though I wasn't blown away by the music on this album, it's still pretty great and earns 5 stars for historical significance.

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Fri Feb 02 2024
5

Very fun to listen to this debut Rolling Stones album. I am certainly more familiar and keen to their original works, but this is one that I needed to listen to before I die.

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Fri Feb 02 2024
5

This might not have scored as high as it did if I didn't just love hearing where the Rolling Stones came from and their ode to this music. What a great début!

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Wed Feb 21 2024
5

Tell me hyvät kitarasoundit 4/5

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Sun Mar 03 2024
5

Nacimiento de la leyenda. Vinilo.

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Wed Mar 27 2024
5

The Greatest Cover Band Ever!!!

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Fri Apr 05 2024
5

Very old style rock. Chuck berry esque, bluesy. Got that swing to it. Great album. 9/10

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Mon Feb 13 2023
4

I loved this. I don't think I've listened to their early stuff much to be honest and this was just really fun

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Mon Feb 13 2023
4

An early classic - I kind of like the innocence of this album, its definitely more youthful than later stuff. A great array of originals and covers, bluesy and rocky numbers. Can imagine this was so exciting in 1964 when released!

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Mon Feb 13 2023
4

This is very cool 60s debut from the Rolling Stones. It's packed with covers though aside from one original track, I don't love this but it was standard in the 60s. One thing I cannot understand is why they put Now I've Got a Witness before Can I Get a Witness??? Haha! Is it just to make people think about their album more? I Just Want to Make Love to You is obviously a banger to the max and I love their version of it in fact I now don't know if I even know a different/original version of that song. The instrumental moments are excellent it's so tight and crisp and I want to dance. Good fun!

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Wed Feb 15 2023
4

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: I just wanna make love to you, Can I get a witness

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Fri Feb 17 2023
4

Episode 15: Scott meets up with Zeb in Thailand. The two of them go out hunting for lady boy fun.

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Fri Feb 17 2023
4

that was easily the best rolling stones album we've had. which is weird because it's basically a covers album.

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Sun Feb 19 2023
4

It's a demo tape where they play R&B tunes from other folks. You can hear what they're going to be, but they're not breaking new ground yet. Best track: Walking the Dog

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Wed Feb 22 2023
4

I really enjoyed this album. Proper old school.

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Tue Feb 28 2023
4

There is something insidious about this British Invasion boys becoming famous off of black music. That said this is fine/good

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Thu Mar 02 2023
4

Classic, old school rock. Didn't hear a song i disliked.

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Sat Mar 04 2023
4

Lots of Chuck Berry influence (some doo wop and soul as well) in the Rolling Stones' first album. Though most of this album is covers, they are clearly students of the blues. Where the Beatles are polished (and writing their own songs) the Rolling Stones are loose and more interested in getting across a certain attitude. Once again, we see English students influenced by Black American music which is pretty great considering the racial tensions in the US at the time.

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Mon Mar 06 2023
4

Enjoyable blues/rock and roll album with catchy songs and a great runtime

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Mon Mar 06 2023
4

The only 60s British group that understood the soul of American blues, which was the seed to their understanding of what rock n roll was supposed to be. Loved this collection of blues and rock tunes.

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Tue Mar 07 2023
4

Rolling Stones do Blues/R&B. If this was a one-off band you'd go "Hey Rolling Stones, they did that one album that was pretty good Blues Rock." Unfortunately we know they have much higher trajectory ahead of them, but standalone it's solid and enjoyable. Route 66 is probably the best track.

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Tue Mar 07 2023
4

Heartfelt covers and all, but the most promising thing here is the Jagger/Richards original "Tell Me." Almost sounds like it could be an outtake from "Aftermath" or "Between The Buttons."

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Wed Mar 08 2023
4

This album was a lot of fun! It was blusier than I expected in some portions, while also sounding more like the beach boys than I expected in others.

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Fri Mar 10 2023
4

very 60s rock, seemingly sans the usual psychedelic influences prevalent in the era. I have, embarrassingly, not listened to TRS' early music but do not find it surprising to see them start their discography strongly. Its always refreshing to see an album almost entirely composed of songs just over the two minute mark. no faff no filler, just a group of guys jamming out in the recording studio with raspy vocals, twangy guitar and a healthy amount of harmonica usage. 7/10 'Route 66' & 'I just want to make love to you' - upbeat and vibey, strong openers to an album. 'now I've got a witness' - nice instrumental piece 'little by little' & 'Carol' - some standouts through the album with 'Carol' Being my favourite after 'Route 66'. the album makes me want to be on a road trip, windows down, music blaring driving under the summer sun.

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Sat Mar 11 2023
4

Great start to something truly amazing

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Thu Mar 16 2023
4

It's quite bare bones and slight in its way, but you can sense the power and the fun behind all of it. The first Jagger-Richards song is great, and their reading of some of the Blues classics is near-faultless.

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Fri Mar 17 2023
4

Our fifth Rolling Stones album and the fourth one I give 4 stars. Again, it's a lot bluesier than their best-known hits and it makes for a very solid, enjoyable album. But it's not amazing either. More of a great background listen than a real headturner.

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Tue Mar 28 2023
4

7/10. Ah, the Rolling Stones before they gathered any moss.

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Tue Mar 28 2023
4

Genre: Classic rock Review: The origins of one of the best artists ever. And it shows. The tracks here are quite crude and u unassured but the Rolling Stones sound is clearly there. Can't wait to get into more of their albums, sure to come up in upcoming recommendations. Rating: 8/10

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Sat Apr 01 2023
4

What a listener! Great to hear these old blues tracks where the stones got their fame with

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Sun Apr 02 2023
4

I imagine at the time this came out it would have been pretty revolutionary. It is fun and it rocks

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Wed Apr 05 2023
4

Great tunes but did they rip off Black American artists, or bring them to attention? Rock n roll.

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Mon Apr 10 2023
4

Good basic blues rock. If it was some other band, the album wouldn't be on this list, but I suppose it has historical significance since it is the first Stones album. My favorite track is probably I'm a King Bee (I'm just a fan of this song in general).

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Mon Apr 10 2023
4

4.0 - I guess I’m a sucker for bright-eyed, bushy-tailed Rolling Stones. No, they didn’t write these songs. Yes, it’s white kids capitalizing on black music. But I like it.

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Fri Apr 28 2023
4

En extra poäng för lite banbrytande inom genren

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Mon May 22 2023
4

Mick Jagger started to become Mick Jagger already on this album...

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Fri Jun 16 2023
4

The debut album from the "Greatest Rock 'n' roll band" is a solid introduction to the band and though it's comprised many of covers, it showcases the raw, enthusiastic sound of a promising bunch of scruffy lads that would make a huge impact on the music history. The performance of these covers is adequate, but the look and sound of the band was unique, and the Stones don't really take off artistically until they find their own style and start writing and performing their own songs. This is a good sampling of their potential and an important album historically and it's an essential listen to hear the band at the beginning before you tackle the rest of their long (and sometimes uneven) discography.

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Fri Jun 23 2023
4

Today's record is the debut studio album by The Rolling Stones. I don't know any of the songs on this record (at least their versions anyways, with most of them being covers of old blues/R&B hits). Even though this is an album of 95% blues covers, The Rolling Stones were instrumental in introducing this blues music to a younger audience. These guys had the "cool rock star" appearance, and were only ~21 years old during the recording of this album. The Beatles had the appearance of preppy school boys, whereas the Stone's looked like a biker gang. Many of the kids that were listening to these guys in their formative years had never heard of blues music before, and were looking to rebel against their parents neat, clean cut, acoustic music of the 50's. From here, it caused a chain reaction, which resulted in so many acts to come such as: The Allman Brothers Band, The Kinks, and Aerosmith to name a few. Overall, maybe not an amazing debut album as far as creativity is concerned, but absolutely important as the beginnings of something huge to come. Favourite songs: Carol, I Just Want To Make Love To You, Walking the Dog, Route 66, You Can Make It If You Try Least favourite song: Honest I Do 4/5

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Mon Jun 26 2023
4

What a treat. Rolling Stones first album, as far as I can tell.

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Tue Jun 27 2023
4

Vier opgeschoten Engelse knullen die vooral covers brengen van Amerikaanse voorbeelden? Dat kan toch nooit wat worden. Maar het voorgaande jaar bewezen de makers van het album 'Please please me' dat zoiets verkocht als warme broodjes. Dus wilde de platenmaatschappij het wel proberen met Mick Jagger en de zijnen. En de rauwe energie spat eraf, ook al zijn het voornamelijk covers, met Amerikaans klinkende dictie en al. Kun je rustig meerdere keren luisteren, het is niet zo zwijmelig als de collegas van EMI-Parlophone ('Mag ik je hand vasthouden?'). En hierna zou al snel blijken dat ze heren ook zelf nummers konden schrijven.

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Tue Jul 04 2023
4

This album just screams the 60's in a great way

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Thu Jul 06 2023
4

Genres: Blues rock, British R&B Formed: London, England in 1962 Run time: 12 songs, 32 min, 56 sec The debut studio album by the English rock band. Spotify: Least popular song: over 1.3M Most popular song: almost 10M plays. Not a massively popular album, given just how influential they would become in Rock. There were two original compositions on the album and the other ten were covers of Blues/R&B standards. They were responsible for bringing predominantly black Blues/R&B music to white British listeners. And we must thank them (and others) for doing that. Most of the tracks on this are covers and have subsequently been covered by lots of artists since. It’s hard to imagine the significance of this album today, but given that the Stones are still around it must have been the start of something special. They have just kept evolving and producing amazing tracks and albums since. They are still touring and this album will be 60 years old next year!!! Listen Again?: Possibly My Rating: ****

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Sat Jul 08 2023
4

more bowlcut british pop. the length of the album is respectful of my finite time on this earth. none of my favorite rolling stones songs are on this. it grew on me and i like it better than the beatles. weak 4 I'm a king bee, walking the dog

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Sat Jul 08 2023
4

Route 66, I Just Want To Make Love To You, Mona, King Bee, Carol (best song), Can I Get A Witness (Hell yeah brother) and Walking the Dog. Like the early Beatles, just covers but great. A couple aren’t as in par with others but very enjoyable to me. 9/10

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Sat Jul 08 2023
4

Pretty solid but I've heard too much music that sounds just like it to give it a 5. I'm aware that's my problem and not the album but

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Wed Jul 12 2023
4

Mostly with Alex on this one (though I like “Tell Me”!) in that this is all about Jagger. It’s easy to imagine superior versions of these songs being performed by Little Richard or Jerry Lee Lewis or somebody else from the 50’s, but… there is something about what Jagger’s doing here that makes these versions unique enough to stand apart. His whole approach to this type of music is just different, almost like he doesn’t belong at the table at first but then somehow wins you over. Really wonder what the old school American blues heads must’ve thought of this guy and this band when they first broke. Must’ve been an interesting time. Anywho, really liked “Can I get a Witness” and did not like “Now I’ve got a Witness.” It’s weird that they sequences the latter before the former on the record, but hey man it was the 60s man.

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Wed Jul 12 2023
4

Man, I could listen to this over and over again. In terms of the British blues boom, this feels like it's near the top of tree. Great song selection and variety, the band sounds tight, but best of all is Mick Jagger. It may be their first album but already he sounds slithery, fey and dangerous. 'Tell Me' is probably the weakest joint here but it's fine, if slightly generic 60s beat pop. There are great versions of 'Carol', 'Route 66' and personal highlight, 'I'm a King Bee' - so yeah, four, verging on five stars.

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Wed Jul 12 2023
4

Early Stones. This shit rocks. Each and every track shows why the band has longevity in the business and is a testament to 1960s rock n roll.

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Thu Jul 20 2023
4

The earliest Stones stuff barely sounds like the version of the band we’ll know and love, most notably since they didn’t write most of it- only one Jagger/Richards contribution, and it’s no “Paint it Black”. Still pretty charming 60s rock and roll, but I’d take what they would do a couple of years later anyday. B-

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Fri Jul 21 2023
4

Too new and young to be impressive, but one star for the youth and energy.

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