Let It Bleed

Really carried by the two huge songs, I’m not interested in British faux honkey tonk

Gimmie Shelter starts us off strong and damn is it a fine-ass song. Like, one of the best of it's kind. After that banger of an intro, it reels itself in and stays pretty lackluster for the rest of the album. It kind of makes me wish they had brought the same talent and energy that they did for Gimmie Shelter, which shows us better energy and songwriting overall. The closest it gets to piquing my interest again is Monkey Man and maybe Midnight Rambler. It stays in this low until the very end of the album when it closes with the classic You Can't Always Get What You Want. Guess they were trying to tell me something there.

Possibly even better than I remembered. It probably deserves 5 stars just from the album opener (Gimme Shelter) and closer (You Can't Always Get What You Want) alone. You've heard most of these songs in your favorite Scorsese movies. There's a reason most of these songs continue to score movie soundtracks. This is about as good as it gets. I just love this album. There's plenty of Stones on this list (too many, or too few?), but this is without a doubt one of their essential albums, during that incredible 4-album stretch over 4 years. It may not be my favorite Stones album (that one is still to come), but anyone who claims Let It Bleed is their best album will get no argument from me.

Bookended by two stone cold classics, the Stones try their hand at numerous genres and pretty much nail every one. A classic album in every essence.

You ever hear the saying that Pennsylvania is "Philadelphia, Pittsburgh, and Alabama in between"? Well, this album is Gimme Shelter, You Can't Get What You Want, and dogshit in between.

I mean, it's The Rolling Stones, right? So much good stuff here. For the most part, The Stones have really aged well (musically, at least - let's not talk about the immortal Mr. Richards) and these tracks are still immensely enjoyable. Really jammy and fun, it feels like they were just having a good time and not taking anything too seriously. Which is odd given the lyrical content of the album, which is often kinda dark. There's an almost punk ethos to it. Kind of a, "things are really gross and ugly so we might as well party" mentality. The result is just a really fun album. I have no negative thoughts, only positive vibes. Full marks.

I'm still only really of the opinion that the Stones are one of the best greatest hits bands. One of the best album openers of all-time and a great closing track but with a collection of middle of the road rock tunes in between. Best track: Gimme Shelter

Gimme Shelter is one of the best opening tracks of all time and You Can’t Always Get What You Want is one of the best closers.

When you're on death row and they let you play one last Stones album as I assume is your basic human right in every nation, the album you select is very revealing: 12x5 - sad that you're still trying to prove something Goats Head Soup - only child? Some Girls - high on your own supply Tattoo You - starfucker Exile On Main St - a bit obvious Beggars Banquet - almost Let It Bleed - retrial warranted

Great album, it's hard to believe despite all the turmoil the band was going through they were able to produce something this damn good.

The peak of the Stones at their bluesiest, but honestly this thing gets 3 of these stars just for Gimme Shelter.

As always with the stones, the hits hit hard, but the deep tracks tend to be very inconsistent.

Powerful. Absolutely humongous sax on Live With Me. Everyone's playing like absolute demons for the entire 42 minutes. Love Mick's freaky shouts and screams especially in Monkey Man, can understand why some might have associated them with the satanic. Recently been lots of talk about how much of a monster Charlie Watts was and it all makes absolute sense when you listen out for him. What a genius, especially the total control he exercises over Midnight Rambler (also my album highlight).

Combines so many genres - blues, country, gospel - with rock to produce something unique and interesting. "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always..." are beyond perfection. "Love in Vain" is my favorite ballad which best represents their return to blues, frequently heard throughout the rest of their tracks. Love the "Country Honk" meme. The blues masterpiece "Midnight Rambler" and funky / punkish "Monkey Man" are enough to lift this album beyond the mortal realm. Subject matter is gritty and leaves the audience feeling... bled on?

A perfect exemplification of all the elements that make The Rolling Stones one of the greatest bands in popular music. So deep rooted in blues and Country music but with a twist that still sounds modern and distinctive.

There is no "trying to make an album like Sgt Pepper" bullshit here. This album is a lot of raw energy poured into blues and country driven rock and roll. Nobody does this better than Keith and the boys. There is no pretension with the skinnied down version of the band. Keith stepped up to the challenge and was front and centre. Gimme Shelter is a classic. It shows how excellent Keith's rhythm guitar playing is. He is also the best, bar none, at opening riffs that grab you and make the song.  Love in Vain is a killer good song with excellent sliding. In fact there’s a lot of good sliding on the album which is interesting since Brian used to contribute the slide in the past and Ron Wood added his own sliding in that later incarnation. Country Honk sounds like a spoof. I now like it more than I like Honkey Tonk Woman.  Live with Me gives us the slimy Stones lyrics we've come to love. This would be a song I could take or leave except  Bobby's sax solo makes it a keeper.. Let it Bleed is another great example of the raw rock and roll sound that Keith can deliver. Midnight Rambler is a killer song. Keith's opening riff once again makes the song. I  prefer the live version (from Get yer ya yas out) as the last 2 1/2 min. (starting with “Ya heard about the Boston“) is much stronger and more entertaining.  You Got the Silver is the first in a long line of classic songs sung by Keef.  Monkey Man is a great jam but the song itself is just OK and Mick's screaming in the fade is irritating.  Stones fans would find it sacrilegious to say anything negative about You Can't Always Get What You Want,  BUTTTTT  I never understood what the choir added to the studio version. I quite liked seeing them play it live (sans choir). Once the choir does its business, the song properly begins with yet another classic  opening riff by Keith. I guess the choir kicking it off makes it a good song to play at a funeral. In fact, if this song  isn’t  played at my funeral, then I’m not going. (I feel like I stole that joke but if not then: Fuck I’m funny!) 

Stones near the height of their prowess. An almost overzealous attempt to capture the American blues/folk sound that many (somewhat unfairly) try to claim the Stones appropriated from African Americans. I struggle to make that jump since there are plenty of Appalachian folk influences present here, and the Stones never tried to hide the fact that they were disciples of old, Black bluesman that white audiences chose to ignore. Still, not my favorite band by any stretch, but I cannot deny that Gimme Shelter is an S tier song.

Absolute gem. Among best album openers of all time.

A mixed bag of an album for me. Some accomplished old school but uninspiring blusey tracks and some classic and brilliant songs with Gimme Shelter being the standout

Let it Bleed This really reminds of university, graduating from Greatest Hits to the albums from their imperious pomp. At that time it was probably my favourite of the Beggar’s Banquet - Let It Bleed - Sticky Fingers - Exile on Main Street axis, and while I would probably tend towards Exile nowadays it’s still up there as one of my favourite albums. Back then I don’t think I really appreciated how much country there was on it, and listening today it’s interesting how nearly every song has some country touch or influence on it. I know their country influences are obvious, but I would probably tend to think songs like Jumpin Jack Flash, Honky Tonk Women, Gimme Shelter and Brown Sugar are emblematic of this period, but so much of their stuff around this time was very country. Alongside the totemic Gimme Shelter, Midnight Rambler and You Can’t Always Get What You Want at the beginning middle and end, there are some of their best albums tracks, the country blues of Love in Vain, the hoedown of Country Honk, the propulsive and rocking Live with Me, the loose, druggy, not so subtle sexual euphemisms and barroom feel of Let it Bleed, the cracked, careworn and satisfying You’ve Got The Silver and the paranoid, sinister absolutely fantastic Monkey Man. Like all of their albums of this period the playing is great, and is probably in the sweet spot of the tightness of Sticky Fingers and the looseness of Exile, Charlie as always is great, particularly on Midnight Rambler and You’ve Got The Silver. Bill’s bass playing is excellent, a great tone and while not showy there are some great touches and moments, particularly on Let it Bleed. Keith’s playing on here really is exceptional in between Brian withdrawing and Mick entering, so many great lines and phrases, always adding to the songs. I love his playing on Monkey Man especially. Mick’s vocals are particularly sweet too, it might be the best of his singing voice. And the cast of additional performers is incredible, Merry Clayton, Leon Russel, Jack Nitsche, Al Kooper, Ry Cooder as well as their stalwarts Ian Stewart, Jimmy Miller, Nicky Hopkins and Bobby Keys. Hopkin’s piano really is fantastic, particularly on Let it Bleed. I don’t think I could ever get tired of Gimme Shelter, and I’ll definitely never get tired of that break in Merry Clayton’s voice with the woo in the background. If this was just Gimme Shelter 9 times it would be a 5. If it was just Gimme Shelter, Midnight Rambler and You Can’t Always Get What You Want it would be 5. If it was those 3 songs plus all the others it would also be a 5. So basically anyway you slice it, it’s a 5. 🎂🎂🎂🎂🎂 Playlist submission: Gimme Shelter

S-Tier for sure. A perfect blend of rock, blues, country, and gospel, bookended by two of the greatest songs ever written.

I love 'classic' rock, yet I've never given the Stones an honest, full album listen until today. I loved this, lots of more classic blues-infused tunes, along with some Stones classics I've heard before like 'Gimme Shelter'.

A classic. This is one of the best albums of the 60s.

I'm ashamed to admit that until today, I have actually never listened to a full album by The Stones, and based on this, I really like it. Raw, punchy, and to be honest, for the standards of the 60s, the lyrics on this thing are outrageous. It's definitely clear how album like this really did go on to influence the more political and open minded eras of music, most notably punk rock in the 1970s. I will now absolutely be listening to more Rolling Stones in the coming weeks, having had an excuse to finally get round to them, I now want to listen to more.

Absolute classic record from The Stones. So many great hits on this one and the band really lets themselves loose on this project. So many good vibes and tunes that emanate from this piece. Forever a timeless album.

For me personally, The Stones have always been a bit of a hit or miss band. Mick Jagger, while as charismatic and instantly recognisable as they come, has never really been one of my favourite frontmen. So as this appeared as album 1/1001 in the journey, I was actually sort of glad as I've never actually listened to it in full. 'Let It Bleed' came after the largely praised and successful 'Beggars Banquet' a year prior, so the stakes were pretty high alongside controversy surrounding founder and guitarist Brian Jones being let go, replaced by Mick Taylor. So, is it a suitable follow up? But before listening, there is one thing that stands out to me… that album art. A multi-layered 'cake' consisting of a plate, film canister, clock face, pizza, and tire topped, amid white frosting with jewelled candies, with miniature figurines of the Stones themselves. Below it is a copy of the record being spun. I've always found it a very fascinating cover despite never actually giving the album my attention prior to this. When reading up on why the cover art is this 'cake', the album was originally to be named 'Automatic Changer', the feature on turntables that would allow you to stack records and have one drop and play after the previous had finished. Makes a little more sense. It's not an essential but it always helps an album when the art supporting it is iconic in itself and this checks that box. Good start. Next, you inevitably look at the track listing and see if there's anything you recognise. What gave me some confidence in enjoying this was seeing 'Gimme Shelter' as the opener. I know that song, I enjoy that song… actually I fucking love that song. But apart from that, I was going in blind. Now, where do you even start with 'Gimme Shelter'? Arguably The Stones' magnum opus, it surrounds the reality of war, apt given the time period of the Vietnam War. The intro is absolutely brilliant, with Keith Richard opening up with the iconic main riff, but what struck me immediately is the underlying Güiro that is performed by guest performer Jimmy Miller. The strokes of it run throughout and I think are a fantastic touch and adds texture. Jimmy also plays the maracas on this, further filling out the mix and adding to the texture of the track. Mick then comes in and gives a fantastic vocal performance for the first verse, the song writing while not directly pointing to war is an easy metaphor to understand. It's what comes next that really makes this song probably one of the greatest songs of all time and that is guest vocalist Merry Clayton's performance on the choruses. Belting her ass off to the confronting lyrics "War, children, it's just a shot away" and "Rape, murder, it's just a shot away" is just chilling. Her voice cracks, shrills and passionate performance really is one of the best vocal performances ever. Also within this track is an absolutely badass harmonica solo from Mick and ever present guitar solo from Keith. How do you even top a song like that, is it even possible? It's a song that is still sadly very relevant with war and genocide ever present in todays society. The rest won't be described as in depth but I will pick out things of note in certain tracks. 'Love In Vain' is a rework of the Robert Johnson classic. When you already have a strong base in the songwriting, it'll be hard for them to completely botch it. Luckily, the Stones' build upon it. Mick really shows his bluesy side here on the vocal performance, emotive, powerful and effective. Mixed in is some lovely slide guitar work from Keith and proficient mandolin plucks and strums from guest performer Ry Cooder. It's a really nice sounding track, retaining the poignancy of the original. Now for the first miss here, 'Country Honk', it's not necessarily a bad song perse but I cannot get behind how this one has been mixed. The fiddle is loud as all fuck, you can barely hear the vocals through the verses and other than that it's just a rather repetitive that becomes tiresome given how short it is. 'Live With Me' has an absolutely lethal bassline from Keith, some horns that punch through nicely in the transition from chorus to their own solo which is performed by guest performers Leon Russell and Bobby Keys and almost all ruined by Mick Jagger's horniness. Good song though, just a very average sex-centric 60s piece of songwriting. The title track 'Let It Bleed' opens with a cheeky little piece of signature Keith slide guitar, more to come. Ian Stewart plays the piano on here which is a sorely needed element and something to focus on when Mick is busy yelling in your ear "Yeah, we all need someone we can cream on, Yeah, and if you want to, well, you can cream on me". Bloody horny bastard. Keith continues to slide his ass off on here and the solo is awesome. Again, musically this is fantastic but there are quite a few lines on here (and also probably on the woman's chest Micks ranting on about here) that just make me eye roll. Great song nonetheless. "Midnight Rambler" kicks off with a nice bluesy riff, some more harmonica from Mick which is all contained in a rather dark and gloomy sounding mix. I like how this one sounds a lot. The songwriting is loosely based around The Boston Strangler which makes the sound of it all very appropriate. It has some nice tempo changes, tension and release moments, fantastic instrumentation and honestly warrants the 7 minute runtime. This track offers an interesting approach to kick off the B side of the album. "You Got The Silver" is a bit of an awkward one. Keith takes over on vocals here, not to say it's a bad performance but his songwriting is rather cliched and cheesy here. Instrumentally still solid, just not a huge fan of this one. Did you know these fellas loved drugs and sex??? Well, "Monkey Man" spells it out to you in a rather humorous way. This song has a fantastic intro, bright vibraphone hits from member Bill Wyman (who sadly hasn't gotten much recognition from me over the course of this, welcome to the life of a bass player) and Jimmy Miller comes back into the fold on Tambourine. Instead of the stupid direct sex-centric lyrics, Mick lays down the metaphors surrounding the rock'n'roll lifestyle of the late 60's. Saving the best part for last, the general instrumentation here. My word does this song sound timeless. Keith goes down the slide once again to great effect and the underlying piano playing from guest performer Nicky Hopkins helps fill out the song nicely. Brilliant track To close this album out is "You Can't Always Get What You Want", which is also the longest on the album by a fair margin clocking in at 7:28. A song of desire vs need. It opens with an intro provided by the London Bach Choir and sounds absolutely lovely. Next, a beautiful pairing of French horn played by guest performer Al Kooper and Keith on the acoustic guitar. Al Kooper also plays the organ, which is audibly recognisable at the start of the 2nd verse. So much goes on in this track, more maracas, more slides, more tambourine and Mick throwing in a fantastic vocal performance on top of it all. The outro is so grand and maximalist which feels like the right way to end an album like this. It's progressive, from a very mellow and beautiful intro to an absolute stormer of an outro. What a closer. So, what are my final thoughts on this? I think it is great, I think it is probably worthy of being in a book like this but I also think there are some issues within. The instrumentation over the course of the whole album is pinpoint, no one feels out of their depth, the guest performers have been pulled in for a reason, they're proficient at what they do. The few issues I have are with Mick's songwriting at times being way too on the nose (and Keith's effort just being a bit bleh) and the really odd mixing on country honk. It's an average length for an album of the time. A 40 odd minute run that fits onto a single LP. 9 tracks that most of which are worth your attention. Pretty good stuff. My Track Ratings Gimme Shelter: 5/5 Love In Vain: 4.5/5 Country Honk: 3/5 Live With Me: 4/5 Let It Bleed: 4.5/5 Midnight Rambler: 4.5/5 You Got The Silver: 3.5/5 Monkey Man: 5/5 You Can't Always Get What You Want: 5/5 AVERAGE TRACK RATING = 38.5/45 x 10 = 8.6/10 'ALBUM' RATING = 9/10 TOTAL RATING = 8.8/10

I like to take a tiered approach when summarising the songs on "Let it Bleed", much like the cake/bizarre sculpture on the cover. The icing (and little Stones-alike figurines): Merry Clayton's searing performance in "Gimme Shelter" (what a great decision to include her) and the fantastic choir in "You Can't Always Get What You Want", their rising vocals at the end sending the coda into sheer euphoria. The top tier (Delia Smith's cake): The unbelievable songs that bookend the album, both referenced above: thoroughly deserving of their renown as two of the band's best songs. "Gimme Shelter" is a dark, menacing, apocalyptic opening and "You Can't Always Get What You Want" surpasses "Hey Jude" as a late 60's anthem, a perfect blend of earnest and cynical. It will always be my all-time favourite Rolling Stones song. Second tier (bicycle tyre): "Midnight Rambler", coming straight in with a cracking riff from Richards and a classic Stones-y shuffling swagger. "Monkey Man" is a masterclass in sleaze by Jagger and holds a wonderful slide instrumental (does anyone else see a helicopter?) "Let It Bleed" is one of the more country flavoured songs on here, but it's pulled off with aplomb and has an irresistible sing-along refrain. Third tier (pizza): "Live With Me" is pretty basic but gives some much needed straight-rock to proceedings in the first half (the Bill Wyman bassline steals it). "You Got The Silver" is Keith Richards' first vocal performance- he turns in a fine performance if obviously not as spirited as Jagger. It's light, but fun. Bottom tier (clock, film canister and whatever the hell else): "Country Honk". For me it's just pushing over into a "let's go country" gimmick with incessant fiddle running all the way through, and I much prefer the single version. "Love in Vain" is a very sparse ballad that feels a bit uninspired to me, up against the rest of the material. So it's uneven, sure, and there are at least three Rolling Stones albums I'd put above this one (all included in the 1001 list) but hey, sometimes if you want to enjoy an iced cake masterpiece you've got to chew through the face of a clock.

Gimme Shelter is an absolute all-timer. Gets me so fired up. The rest of the album (and the Stones in general) don't really click with me. I think it's MIck's voice I don't love? All the other tracks on this one just kinda felt like background music to me. Didn't hate, didn't love

Le problème avec Michel Sardou, et eltrapeze l'a très bien dit, c'est que sa carrière a été éclipsée par Les lacs du Connemara. Son image est désormais liée aux étudiants en école de commerce portant un bracelet fluorescent leur offrant des réductions sur certaines bières blondes et autres mojitos.

Michel Sardou est un artiste de légende, ayant marqué le paysage musical français, cela va sans dire. Je vais néammoins aujourd'hui vous révéler le gros problème qu'aura connu Michel Sardou tout au long de sa vie. Nous sommes en 1982, quand Michel Sardou, déjà auréolé de sa couronne d'artiste majeur de la chanson française, s'en va en studio nous produire un titre qui va complétement changer sa vie. La chanson "Les lacs du Connemara" était née. En l'espace de quelques semaines, la chanson devint tout simplement virale. Le succès était phénoménal, et Michel Sadou se réjouissait de cette situation. Mais c'était la le début des problèmes pour Michel. Après quelques semaines, le tube était toujours sur toutes les langues. Les gens interpellaient Michel dans la rue de façon de moins en moins subtile. "Eh Michel, comment ça va au Connemara ?" "Eh Michel, tu peux nous faire la météo du ciel irlandais ?" *Eh Michel, t'es là... baaaaaaas au Connemara ? C'est ta chanson les lacs du Connemara Michel !" Cela commençait à devenir tout bonnement invivable. Le problème, c'est que le titre était devenu un hymne pour toute la population des différents bars de France. Et cette tradition perdure encore, des années après, les jeunes en manque d'identité n'hésitant pas à rappeler qu'ils adorent la chanson "Les lacs du Connemara" afin de montrer qu'ils appartiennent au groupe social des buveurs de bière. Michel Sardou ne parviendra jamais à se détacher de sa chanson, qui lui collera à la peau pendant des années, et lui colle aujourd'hui encore à la peau, faisant oublier le reste de sa discographie pourtant de bonne qualité.

The Rolling Stones made so many songs. Its almost weird to listen in album format... But seeing the context for Gimme Shelter and You Can't Always Get What You Want is interesting. If I died before listening to this I think I would have been OK, but it wasn't bad.

Once again, the Stones leave me feeling absolutely nothing. It's only really saved by the first and last tracks.

Beautiful.

God, I love this band. Their singles are obviously top-notch, but the range they show on each of their albums is flat out addicting to me. This album is no exception. Favorite track: Midnight Rambler

excellent

Style is solid and thick from the first song to the last, love this album!

fantastic

This is of course a great album, with the Stones in their country era. You’ve got Gimme Shelter and YCAGWYW as excellent bookends and the hits of the record. I liked You Git the Silver a lot too. It’s not phenomenal, but it deserves a light 5.

Truly outstanding album. Perhaps the single greatest backup vocal in rock history by Merry Clayton on Gimme Shelter. Of course You Can't Always... and Midnight Rambler are standouts but there isn't a wasted note on this record.

Wonderful all the way through and the first truly amazing album of that 4 album run for me. "Gimme Shelter" is a top Stones, 60's, and rock song for me. What a powerful (and apocalyptic) way to open an album. "Let it Bleed", "Midnight Rambler" and "Live With Me" are highlights for me as well. Of course the final track is iconic and anchors the album superbly. While I was obviously not there, it seems like this album captures the end of the flower power dream and that late 60's descent into madness. Easy 5 for me.

Overall: 10/10 This is (in my opinion) the quintessential album from a band with a long history of hit or miss albums. Every song is great, they take risks without straying too far from their established sounds and they honestly just sound like they're having a great time making music together. If you're gonna listen to any Stones album, it should be this one. Fav Song: Country Honk Least Fav Song: Midnight Rambler (Oh god every song is so good this hurts)

I've never been a big Stones fan but this album is too good to let go - some super super bigs hits and the rest fit in nicely too. Very assured, and well produced, this oozes class. A solid 5*****

Probably one of the best ways to spend 42 minutes I can think of 5/5

Can blue men play the whites? Oh yeah!

I'm not sure when, if ever, I last listened to this whole album, so this was a treat. Gimme Shelter is one of my favorite Stones songs, and it was awesome to hear Keith's vocals on You Got the Silver. I love the recording too--very lowkey at times (Country Honk?!--title?!).

I think the stones are overrated. This is the one album that makes them in my opinion. Good blues, great riffs, micks voice actially works here but he has a horrible voice. This album is really good from start to finish. You can feel the blues and how they copied the american music and made them their own

The best Stones album in a walk.

Absolutely magnificent collection of songs ! Some of the very best work of the Stones, in a legendary and heart-breaking context that fueled the songwriting talent of the Jagger-Richards duo.

Flawless. Threw this on the old record player for an immersive listen. Good as ever, and cohesive in a great way. Love listening to this like watching a good movie or reading a good short story. The cacophony of sound that lifts you to the fucking rafters at the end of You Can't Always Get What You want is just such a great ending.

Let's face it, we know Exile on Maine St is the most accomplished Rolling Styones record but, by god, this and Sticky Fingers are the most enjoyable to listen to.

This is the fourth or fifth Stones album I've gotten, and probably my favorite one yet. It's got a more chill vibe, kinda southern bluesy or even a little gospel or something mixed in there. Really good

Bookended by two of the best songs to begin or end any album, I have to admit it goes from four to five stars based only on those two songs (but it’s a short album, so that’s a good ratio).

Can't miss with this album!

I forgot how great the early stones were! Their blues influence really shines in this album

Between this, Sticky Fingers and Exile the Stones really hit their stride. As good as it gets. I don't know the details of any kind of rivalry or faux rivalary but the naming feels like little brother to me. If they really did feel like they were competing with the Beatles I think they make it clear during this stretch of albums they were something completely different and thank god they leaned into blues/rock and away from whatever psychedlic shit they were trying. I think I prefer the live versions on Love in Vain and Live With Me from Get Yer Ya Ya's Out, but nice to hear the studio versions.

That part in gimme shelter where the background singers voice cracks while she’s screaming MURDER! Is one of my favorite moments in any rock song, and in a way encapsulates everything I love about the stones. Just having a blast out there, letting it all hang out. Also, Mick fucked that singer. Classic Stones.

Theres a lot to love and be fascinated by Starting out with my favorites: Midnight rambler, Monkey Man (incredible), Cant always get what you want, country honk and Gimmie shelter. So many great tunes I can only strongly recommend and not overly explain how great the episodes were in the revered podcast Rock And Roll History In 500 songs were for this period of the stones (those 4 episodes dropped a few weeks ago). The stones were in a wild time in their history and were completely redefining themselves (musically and life philosophies & interests). One thing I will share is the story about the amazing singer they brought in for Gimmie Shelter, Merry Clayton. Apparently, Nitzsche phoned his friend Merry in the throws of a super late night recording session. Merry shows up and in a couple of takes lays down what would be the greatest vocal track of the stones history. Nitzsche and others pushed her to to over the top. Unfortunately, Merry miscarried her 4 month pregnancy shortly after. More details in the podcast.

Tight race between this album and Main Street for favorite Stones album. This one is so tight.

Obviously a classic and not really anything that detracts. Maybe a slightly underwhelming honky tonk woman, but if this isnt good then i dont know what is.

Tip to Tail, this one is a classic. God Bless the Rolling Stones!

Favourite tracks: gimme shelter; let it bleed; country honk; midnight rambler; you got the silver

I had heard this one before. That may play into this being the first 5 star album, but of the albums I've listened to, this is the first one that feels on a whole other level. It didn't really have any moments that stuck out as bad to me, and overall it's really consistently great. Songs like Midnight Rambler and Gimme Shelter and truly fantastic songs for the ages

Just a phenomenal album. Dated in the best possible way - takes you back to the era.

The record's gritty sound, powerful lyrics, and masterful musicianship make it one of the Stones' most enduring works. A classic for me

Quizás el mejor disco de los Rolling

Really enjoyed it <3

Finally a great album, with 2-3 great hits! Very much enjoyed

Great album with loads of amazing songs.

Previously rated: The Rolling Stones (4/5) Beggars Banquet (5/5) ****************************** Great album start to finish. Country Honk (country version of Honky Tonk Women) was a song I didn't know existed, so that was a nice surprise.

Book ending your album with Gimme Shelter and You Can't Always Get What You Want really isn't fair. And while those songs are great and deserve their praise, I was incredibly impressed with the rest of the albums. You could hear the blues influence on this album and it works fantasticly. This might be my favorite Stones album that we have gotten so far.

An inevitable classic - warm and gritty and cool. Probably not going to write a thing better than has been written about it but it put me right in a good mood while it was on.

Such a classic. Love the Stones and this is one of their best albums.

Closer to 4.5/5 but still basically a flawless album, though do wish they included "Honky Tonk Women"

5 stars

Always reminds me of Middle Colenso and listening to this on Mum and Dad's Cd

One of the greatest albums of all time, period. Gimme Shelter and Tou Can't Always Get What You Want are the all time classics, but there is so much more. The country version of Honkey Tonk Women plus Midnight Rambler and You Got the Silver just put this over the top. It's not just a 5, but also one of my top 50 albums of all time. Maybe it's the Stones' greatest. Prove me wrong!

A stand out masterpiece

Yes

A little-known fact is that the cake on the album cover was baked by Delia Smith, then a barely-known cookery writer on the short-lived Daily Mirror magazine who also prepared food for studio photography. Magnificent throughout, anyone who thinks this is a load of crud bookended by 2 classic tracks needs to have their head boiled.

RIP Brian

Love the stones

Probably my favorite Stones record.

Absolute Classic bookended by to absolute bangers and the stuff in the middle isn't bad either, this is probably my favourite of the Stones prime era although Sticky Fingers runs it close. Midnight Rambler is great, Monkey Mam, You Got The Silver, Love In Vain & The title track are all fantastic. You Can't Always Get What You Want is epic stones but Gimme Shelter stands head and shoulders above the rest.

Classic amazing stones, no notes

This album has their best tracks. So many hits at such an early time. Certainly foundational to rock an roll

About ad good as rock n roll can get. A

Awesome classics

Ezt az albumot szeretem a legkevésbé ebből a korszakukból, az az elméletem hogy ennek koncertalbumnak kellene lennie, mert majdnem mindegyik számot sokkalsokkal játsszák élőben. Amik miatt mégsem tudok nem ötöst adni: -ahogyan vegyül a country meg a blues meg a gospel meg néha a proto-punk 🥹 -apropó protopunk, helló Live With Me, helló fiatal David Bowie) - a két gitár a Love in Vain-ben - Keith background vocal-jaiba örökre szerelmes vagyok - Mick a szájharmonikán = 🔥🔥 - Keith doing Keith things a You Got the Silverben - "SHE BLEW MY NOSE AND THEN SHE BLEW MY MIND" 🤣🫣 Köszönömennyivoltam.

Duh

Feel like I have to give this a 5 even though I can't bear 'You Can't Always Get What You Want'

yoooooou caaaaan't aaalways geet whaaat yooouu waaaahhhnnnnntttt.... buuut iff youuu triiiisometimes....

Gimme Shelter Love in Vain Country Honk Live With Me Let It Bleed Midnight Rambler You Got the Silver Monkey Man You Can't Always Get What You Want

Cracking. Classic rock ballads mixed with a bit if country feel

My father was a Beatles fan first and a Rolling Stone fan second. It’s a close relationship (I think he loves both equally), but as a child, I was mostly most exposed to the Beatles and as such, have a preference to them. With that being said, I think this list is going to have a good chunk of Rolling Stones albums. So I’ll make up for my lack of Rolling Stones experience down the road on this journey. I will say that this album was a perfect start for me personally. The amount of blues and country influences in this album surprised me, but it helped really make this album flow. I couldn’t help but to just get lost in it, even if the lyrical content was more humbler than some other Rolling Stones songs I heard. From the jumping start of Gimme Shelter to the smooth title track to the angelic and bopping You Can’t Always Get What You Want, this was a very pleasant 42 minutes. Favorite track: You Can’t Always Get What You Want Other hits: Gimme Shelter, Let It Bleed, Love in Vain, Country Honk, Live With Me

To this day, it must be up there as one of the best beginning and ending to an album of all time.

I love this too. It may be better than exile on Main Street. I slept on the stones for too long. Another 5.

2 Stones albums in a row, lucky me. This is even better than the previous one. It starts with “Gimme Shelter” and ends with “You can’t always get what you want” which is pretty spectacular. The songs in between are all really great as well. Curious to see how the others that are in this list compare, but this set quite a high bar.

What a good album!! Its so Rolling Stoney

Seriously, how do you argue with the most rock and roll verse ever committed to vinyl: "She said my breasts they will always be open Baby, you can rest your weary head right on me And there will always be a space in my parking lot When you need a little coke and sympathy" Just fucking fantastic. Sure, you want to nitpick this album? Country Honk is an unfinished piece, obviously. Love in Vain and Live with Me can't live up to the fire that is everything from track 5 on. But goddamn. When you're starting an album with Gimme Shelter, there's bound to be a dropoff. It's a brilliant album. Don't fight it.

Stones