Exile On Main Street

Stones' fourth best album. Four stars. Five stars are reserved for their three best albums.

3.4/4 basic blues rock

One I've tried many times to 'get'. The Stones have some excellent tracks, their imagery and musicianship is great, Mick Jagger has a unique voice and there's lots of energy and vibes. This album though consists of pretty standard rock and roll numbers that just seem old hat compared all the exciting stuff going on before and around the same time like proto-punk, heavy metal, krautrock, prog rock and glam. I suppose if I was being kind I would say that it could have been a statement to go back to their roots, and I do like it a little bit more on each repeated listen. No hits as such but I could imagine some tracks would sound good in flashback scenes in a film. Ventilator Blues is my favourite. (3.5 but likely to grow)

Not a big Stones fan but enjoyed this album.

Rock n roll/ blues rock Bon début, fort répétitif Dur de s attacher au lyrics à la première écoute, album sur tout musical Pref ventilator blues

Not what I was expecting. The album was something you’d hear in a blues bar and not a stadium. Not bad, just wasn’t what I thought I’d get. Enjoyed overall

Good standard rock affair. Easily enjoyable.

very bluesy no real standout track 3.5

Classic album by the Stones holding up over the decades.

better than the other one, more fun and rock n rolllll

Sounds very american, like the begining of a movie when they list the actors and show the city and how busy life is. Enjoyed it a lot, and it is very chill and easy going, feel good music. Definitely will listen to some of the songs again.

2.5 - I have no strong feelings one way or the other.

Excellent!! Rock & Roll, Garage, Blues, hell even Folk and Country mixed together to create a bevy of iconic songs. 4.5/5

Something tells me the Stones put on a great show, but, for me, there isn’t anything spectacular here. 2.75/5

This just sounded like they were trying to write songs in all the styles of rock music that existed at the time without trying to do anything new or interesting.

It’s fine. I like some Stones stuff, but they’re not my thing.

Very dated album with no surprises.

Was ok

I say this a lot. Great album, not my favorite by them. But really, doesn't all but one of their albums fit that bill? Need to stop saying that. End of the day, great album.

Dang, that jam at the end of “Loving Cup”! Delicious! I like how you feel like your in a garage with these guys, listening to them play. I never listened to whole Stones albums before this, and I’m grateful!

No highlights. Literally can't remember a single tune. But it was a fun time the whole thing through! Charisma and energy and lots of participants (somewhat) well-wrangled. Haven't had that experience since one of my first albums on this, from the Clash.

liked some of the songs, but mid

What is the best Stones album and why is it Exile On Main Street? For starters, it's their White Album: Disjointed yet epic; Complicated but ultimately rewarding. It has Sweet Virginia, Tumbling Dice, Loving Cup, and Let It Loose. It allows a strung out Keith Richards to sing lead on a song. The joyful Billy Preston plays both the piano and organ on "Shine A Light". And it all adds up to the closest I'll ever get to the feeling of a heroin and cocaine Speedball.

The Rolling Stones, nothing can go wrong.

Not a huge stones fan, songs feel very repetitive with nothing that really stood out as amazing.

Bit bloated but the highlights are special l. Loving Cup, Shine a Light, Let It Loose.

Pretty good. Jaunty.

Better than I thought. I hated the stones

Really enjoyed this.

Love it, it’s so vibey

first listen stereotypical background music rock and roll

Its pretty good but it feels like rich kids pretending to have the blues

I love the Stones, but this was a huge diappointment. Tumbling Dice is my all-time favourite track, but the majority of this album is just a shambles - lots of half finished ideas in desperate need of a sober producer and an editor. It just sounds like a bunch of stoned musicians jamming - no focus, some great riffs but a stack of dodgy lyrics, poorly thought out fills, mad bridges, terrible weedy production and overdubbed backing vocals trying to shore up the lack of direction. 3 or 4 finished tracks: tumbling dice, happy, rip this joint - maybe sweet virginia - the rest are unfinished filler. All down the line is the next closest to a fully formulated track - it's telling to see what they subsequently played in concert. With less drugs, a little more work and a whole lot of focus this would have made a really good single album, but a double? You've got to be kidding. Madly self-indulgent. Great riffs and ideas - ZZ Top turned Shake your hips into La Grange, Bob Seger turned Stop breaking down into Fire down below - why didn't the Stones do it first? Clearly too out of it to care.

Somehow the Rolling Stones always sound like they are in an extended jam session, and this album is the epitome of this. Perhaps that is one reason why they are one of the greatest live acts ever. This is not their best album, but it is a good sample of less well known Stones music. Most people will only know Tumbling Dice from this.

Liked this a little bit more than I thought I would. I really enjoyed the instrumentals on this, the singing was fine but I didnt love it The saxophone that some songs had was often well done and I liked the guitar riffs. I feel like a lot of this sounded dated aswell 5/10 (p.s. i know the rolling stones is my grandma's favorite so im sorry grandma for giving them a low rating i promise i dont hate them)

Not my favorite album by them.

My favorite Rolling Stones album and a top ten rock album for me. A terrific collection of songs across a range of blues and country styles. Song after song, they sound like they’re having an absolute blast in the studio. There’s an abundance of joy and exuberance that they captured in the recording. The album makes me happy every time I play it.

The Stones are great and this album is no exception. It's a fantastic record to put on while going for a drive, or prepping for a party, or having a BBQ, or doing anything that is fun. I love the energy in it and while I've heard many of these songs many times I don't feel sick of them at all- it's just a timeless sound.

I really like the 60s Stones. Her Satanic Majesty's Request is my favorite along with all the well known songs from that time. They seem to be disintegrating here. All that fame and fortune left them frayed at the ends. My personal enjoyability score of this album is around a 2.

The Stones just do nothing for me. It's fine. Not offensive or anything. I wouldn't outright complain if it came on. Just doesn't evoke any reaction in me at all really.

It's the Rolling Stones, of course they are on this list. Surprisingly this album had no tracks, at least if I am recalling correctly, that I have heard before or are amongst their more popular ones.

I'm not a fan of The Rolling Stones, it's always been hard for me to understand why they are so liked. Anyway, this time I'm closer than ever, the album sounds fresh and catchy.

I don't feel any glee in disliking something so revered. I don't think I'm a special snowflake whose opinions matter more than others. I don't like writing negative reviews. For the most part I just want to look at how an album made me feel, and try to reverse engineer that a bit. The best music goes straight to your hips and your heart, and examining why it succeeds, or describing how it succeeds, is fun. Examining why something didn't make me feel *anything* is not fun. I don't want to have to re-listen to an album of this length to justify my opinion. I also don't want to harsh anyone's buzz with strongly worded negative opinions, like I'm trying to convince you that I'm right. This album was boring to me, but if you loved it, you're more "right" than me. Love more things imo.

I like their previous albums, but this just felt bland to me.

How is this album 1 hour and 7 minutes long? 18 tracks?! Definitely needed to be trimmed down. I still love a few tracks from this one, like Tumbling Dice an Soul Survivor, but a lot of the rest just melded together and I got pretty bored near the end. The Stones definitely work best for me in the form of Live album or Best Of listening.

Ready good party music

This was good. I know there's a lot of history/story to this album.

Unknown band

One of my favorite albums

Good album, not sure what the hype is about tho

A seminal piece of ‘70s rock this is The Stones crowning moment. Mixing their blues rock with that undeniable swag. It is a too to bottom great piece and one even casual fans can enjoy.

Best of what they do. Bluesy and raw.

Didn't listen this time but it's a classic, probably their best, most consistently great album.

Maybe more deserving of 4 stars, but I'm biased—this is my favorite album by one of my all time favorite bands, the energy and pacing of it is intoxicating and unlike any other album, INCLUDING any other Stones album! Sometimes tax evasion makes your album sound better, it's scientifically proven

The Stones are a consistently good band, and this album is the perfect representation of that statement. Even though it's almost 2h long, they've managed to do it without a single bad track. Sub-optimal, maybe, but none of them were less enjoyable enough to make me even consider skipping (which I tend to do a bit too often with songs I don't care that much). Overall, a great album, has some classic in it, like Tumbling Dice and Shine a Light. Probably a 4.2~4.5

Fantastic how much energy and nerve The Stones manager to get out of a very laid back period, in the south of France, creating songs from spontaneous jam sessions. A masterpiece within the Rolling Stones catalogue, nothing less.

I would listen to this again. But i didn't love it or love love it. The deluxe version was silly long. And the songs started to blend together.

I love the Rolling Stones but this isn't my fave album of theirs

Over the years I've softened my stance on the Rolling Stones. I used to hate them with a passion, now I don't mind them too much. Some of their songs I actually would say I like. This album is interesting, very blues inspired. But most of the songs sound kind of like throwaways to me. Tumbling Dice, Happy, and All Down The Line are probably my favorites here. 3 stars.

Na lang nadenken waarom dit niet werkt voor mij, kan ik eigenlijk maar met 1 ding komen: Die stem van Jagger vind ik gewoon zaad!

Gaaf album hor. Geen groot fan, maar dit kan ik zeker waarderen

Tja niks mis mee, maar ik vind de Stones gewoon niet zo heel boeiend.

Fijne plaat! Die mondharmonica is leuk. Lekker bluesy.

Strong album, not quite five stars

I like Let it Bleed more.

Alright, not my favorite Don't love Mick Jagger's voice after three straight songs lol

It was fine - I got a little bored of it after a while. The Rolling Stones have never been a band I actively seek to listen to, though. I did appreciate the blues and jazz influences in the music.

Fun classic rock with a lot folk influence and some jazz. Definitely plenty of material to listen to in this album.

I actually really liked this album, some country/blues mixed with brass and rock super well. Would never guess it’s a British rock group at all. It sounds like I’m listening to a road-trip through the countryside, while drinking, and stopping at small towns to get wasted. Ups, downs, and in-betweens.

Pretty good, a bit too repetitive

Very good throughout

Can this be given 6 x stars?

There are the big four records of the Stones (Beggars Banquet, Let It Bleed, Sticky Fingers & Exile On Main St.) and this one is like the Beatle's White Album. And for me that means it's a bit too long and the real fans adore it. I like it. It's rock 'n roll and the band really feels like they know what they're doing at this stage. They're pulling off every genre within the Stone's repertoire. It's a really good album, but I'll let other persuade me why it would be their best, because I can't hear it (yet)

Good but not for me

So much the Rolling Stones! Ok this is a fun album, best Rolling Stones stuff yet. Though they are overrated, I just listened to a Talking Heads album, and that is what overrated sounds like. 4 The best of the Rolling Stones I've heard this far. 3 Half of it is at least

The victory lap in a golden race, Exile on Main Street is generally considered by most music fans as the last all time great Rolling Stones album; the one with the most mythical status, a most gargantuan collection of songs so bountiful it had to be split into two records. Here is where the band were at their most boisterous, most rollicking like true outlaws. There are moments where they could have veered down a strange path but always find a way to get back up to where they excelled best. It can't all be loved, which is what makes it still appealing fifty years on. Essential listening. Favorites: Rocks Off, Shake Your Hips, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Loving Cup, Happy, Let It Loose, All Down the Line, Shine a Light.

This was a fairly difficult album to rate. Absolutely enjoyed listening to it and there were no duds on the entire, nearly two hour long, album. That's impressive. But nothing really stood out either. I didn't "fave" any individual songs, but did "fave" the entire album so maybe that explains how I feel about it better than I can express. I'm going to assume that was intended so even though it's probably a 3.5 star album for me, I'll give it the benefit of doubt and push it up half a star.

Very earnest album. But The Rolling Stones has so much hype around their name that I guess I expected more?

100% puro Rolling Stones. Rock tranquilo con buenas melodías y reminiscencias de blues. Quizás un poco más flojo que otros discos, por no tener ningún éxito más reconocible

Pretty great road trip jams from front to back.

This is by far my favorite Rolling Stones album. I am not a huge RS fan, but this album has their most innovative work with a perfect blend of rock, blues and country.

Will listen to later.

Erg cookie cutter album van the stones, niet erg bijzonder

🤷‍♂️

Didn’t really enjoy it. Not my favorite collection of songs from the Stones. No memorable melody’s, songs or lyrics

Ça s'écoute bien, mais c'est long. Ce n'est pas le plus mémorable des Stones à part pour Tumbling Dice et Happy qu'on entend encore quelques fois à la radio, mais encore là, ce n'est pas les meilleures pièces du groupe. L'énergie est bonne, l'ajout de cuivres rend ça festif, mais je n'ai pas envie d'y revenir. J'aime bien la pochette par contre.

Love this album by the stones. I’d call it their magnum opus. It’s pretty long but none of the songs really drag on. The lyrics are a bit stronger and more unique than their bluesy other albums. I could listen to this album all the time. 8.4/10

Cool as

I can see why people like this. Would make for good road trip music. Ventilator Blues and Shine a Light were standouts for me

Oh que c’est couillu oh que ça cogne sec, même les « moins connues » (mettons « Ventilator Blues ») font paf paf bien comme il faut. On entend des idées que plein d'artistes développeront plus tard.

I wasn't blown away, The Stones kind of start to blend for me at a certain point.

I enjoyed this album. This definitely was a more blues centric album which explored some exciting themes. Is it my favorite album on this list? No, but I think it is a contender.

Might have liked this more than 'Sticky Fingers' but I will have to listen again to figure that out for sure. Great album from the Stones, give it a listen if you haven't

Typisch Rolling Stones, maar nog wat meer Blues-achtig. Begon wel wat te vervelen op den duur

I've never been a particular fan of the Stones - they're far more of a singles band to me. I'm also not a particular fan of double albums - it's very rare that they don't overstay their welcome. As such, you can probably figure out how I feel about a Stones double album.

Man, this is a huge album, not just because it's just under 2 hours of 4 minute rock and roll hits, but because it's kind of rock and roll distilled. Not a huge amount of Stones hits but an album of immeasurable quality.

I really didn't get how going back to traditional roots and blues rock made this a top Rolling Stones album. I wasn't into this lof-fi production, specifically the vocals being so hard to hear. Exile on Main St. really clicked on the second half however, especially with the bass. I understood the more light-hearted and passionate take this was approaching. It modernizes old rock-'n'-roll tropes even if not all of it is in my wheelhouse.

I don't know... this is controversial but I did not love this album. Nothing stood out to me and it's just very long. This is nice background music for me but it completely fades into the background even when listening cycling (I've given it three tries now) and cycling is my best music listening time so... Can't say I love it but it's okay.

I'm not sure I've ever listened to a Rolling Stones album start to finish, so this was a good start! Firstly, I was surprise how much poo came up in this album but overall I thought it was a great listen. I drove to it which was definitely a good vibe. Sweet Virginia was my fave - I think there was a good metaphor in there about just getting on with it and wiping the shit of your shoe. Turd on the Run was a good follow-up I guess. Some of the 12 bar blues ones didn't do much for me. BUT overall this was great

This was a goodun, proper. Good to hear some Rolling Stones that isn't the classic bangers

Yep. The Rolling Stones!

Exile obviously has more space to grow on me than the other mediocre Stones albums: My baseline respect for it is based largely on the chops and variety on display. The latter prevents the album from feeling like a slog, but the high points fail to move me, and there's too much pastiche (my only explicit objection, leaving Jagger's vocals and lyrics to future appraisal).

I can't say this one grabbed me as much as the other Stones albums on this list. Probably one for the die hard fans or those who’ve seen them live a few times. Faves? I dunno it just kind of feels like one long song.

very good sound. I liked it and would like to listen more.

holy shit that’s fucking good sorry, last album I heard from them was Aftermath and it was just… eh I mean Paint it Black is great but both the UK and US were pretty much just blues covers with a good song here and there and it’s not that I don’t like blues, check my reviews I fucking love it, that album was just kind of lame but this one, seriously, good golly The Rolling Stones were late bloomers, really late bloomers but when they actually started doing good shit did they really show just how great they are honestly, I wasn’t expecting much out of this album but nearly every song blew me away it was a hard choice for my favorite song but the one that made me stop everything and listen to it a few times on repeat was Ventilator Blues like it blew my mind how it slapped that fucking hard in the early 70s anyway, this is a really, really good album I gotta listen to more Rolling Stones but from what I’ve heard, this album feels like their White Album / Blonde on Blonde 10/10

Love how bluesy this is.

**

o que esperava de um bom álbum dos rolling stones, nada mais, nada menos. faltou algum clássico (que eu conhecesse, ao menos) e não teve nenhuma música que se sobressaiu. adorei os corais e backing vocals, dão uma pegada bem gospel e senti que o Screamadelica bebeu muito daqui.

Would have been a 3 if it had wasted 45 minutes of my time instead of an hour and 45.

Early Stones. Seems almost 'simple' in comparison to later stuff... A few less layers. Liked it...kind of clean

Not their best album.

Great album - debating a four or a five. Would love to have seen them live during this era. Rounding up.

didn't know many of these tunes so I didn't expect much, but this is way cooler than most Rolling Stones I do know...fully bluesy cool without too much pop or cheese. 4.5 for me, but can't round up

The fourth Rolling Stones album we got so far. This one's a lot bluesier than the previous ones. It's quite good, although not amazing. It would surely be better if they'd cut some of the less exciting tracks, as the album is very long. Giving this 3.5 stars but rounding up because it's better than the previous album I listened to today and gave 3 stars.

Well this album is no good. There are some decent elements: the tremolo effect on jaggers voice and the horn parts. I think I might like some of the songs at the very end of the album but there was so much boring before it that this album is an easy pass.

5 stars for the stoners. thanks for the 4/20 rec 😎

The best.

tuurd on the run, tuurd on the ruuuun. wait, what, its not macca? once you've heard the rolling stones do their r'n'b thing for about 5 songs you're not going to hear anything new in the next 45 songs, or however many are on this album. fairly tedious.

Like an overused toilet brush going in for one more dunk and somehow, against all odds clearing out the bowl.

I Are Bort is not going to enjoy this.

One of my favorites ever

It’s the stones

Stones will always be great

Huh it's considered one of their best works, and best albums ever. Rocks-off had some nice distorted section and horns piece. Liked Sweet Virginia backing singing and sax. ZZ top feel to Ventilator Blues opening guitar and Shake Your Hips. VB is a good vibe with that buiding sax and brass. Stop Breaking Down very like Led Zeppelin! Wailing, baby, hard guitar and harmonica. Great sound.

Loved it.

Love the Stones and am always impressed by the breadth of their catalog. I hadn't heard most of this. There's some stuff that I really wasn't expecting. The 'Shake Your Hips' track sounds a lot like La Grange (?) by ZZTop. Rocks Off is great. Rip this joint sounds like a loud throwback to some 50's dance music. Mostly this is great. Put it on in the background and got busy (doing work). Great tempo and rhythm, also that jagger...what is it about that jagger...?

I didn't know a Stones album could be this boring. Seemed more like imitations of late 50s and early 60s rock, and not the bold attempts at pushing the genre of blues rock that makes up the Stones' best stuff.

Some okay rock and roll. Gets repetitive after a while

I don’t really know where any one song started and another began. This album blended so well without droning. Nothing stood out—bad or great. All of it was good. I didn’t get to full-concentration listen but I did get to enjoy. I enjoyed this as a rock-and-kick-ass-at-work album.

Exile On Fart Street lol

This album is much, MUCH better than Let it Bleed. Like, leagues better; there are simply no skips. And it's not that Let it Bleed is BAD--but rather, this was just simply so much better. LIB was a collection of one S-tier song and the rest were Bs and Cs; this was S-tiers and A-tiers only IMO. It's all aged beautifully: The vocals work, the instruments sound as layered and sophisticated as they did when this album first came out (I assume; it predates me). I'd be remiss to pick any fave track other than "Tumbling Dice," especially considering the cool history. Keith Richards got the idea for the track when he rolled out of bed one morning feeling uninspired and then tuned up his guitar. And out "tumbled"--heh, heh--the full melody of this song. Even for those of us who don't have Keith Richards's musical mind, it's easy to recognize a stellar track when you hear one. And this is IT.

No me atrapó

Classic stones but not single heavy.

Rolando as preda

Nah I don't think it's for me.

I am surprised it took me this long to get a Rolling Stones album. I was not familiar with the album by name and surprisingly I was not familiar with many of the songs. After listening to the album, I cannot say that I have desire to go back and listen to it again, nor can I point to one song and say that someone should listen to this particular song.This album does not have any of the mega hits that the Stones are known for, which is fine but something to note. The album had more several country songs in addition to the blues and rock and roll songs. The second half of the album is better than the first. The album is a little long, close to 70 minutes. The album is better than some of the 3s that I have given. It should probably be a high 3, but I will round it up.

Not familiar with any of these tracks before, but I'm having a good time with this album. Incomprehensible hollering and then a piano and a guitar do something wonderful. Highlights are Tumbling Dice, Torn and Frayed, and Ventilator Blues.

Psst. Hey you. Yeah you. C’mere. No, closer. There we go, just a little closer… Nope, even closer… I don’t get what the big deal is with The Rolling Stones beyond their longevity. They’re fine.

Everyone seems to love this one, but with the exception of a couple of songs to me it’s just a big pile of meandering shit, like The Band’s Last Waltz or something.

dull

Yeah, this grooves along and flows really well, especially for a 50-year-old double album

The Stones are weird because they've been around for about 300 years but I don't feel I know them at all. I don't think this particular album best represents what I think is their general appeal but it is very good, full of soul and feel.

Was expecting to enjoy this more than I did. Scrapes a 3/5 really. It's too long, and a bit too bland, not an unpleasant sound but not particularly striking. Very bluesy and not as energetic as I'd hoped for.

Yeah it was pretty good I guess. Most of the tracks are repetitive but there's a few that really stand out, even though I'm normally not a huge fan of the Stones.

To my mind, incredibly overrated. A meandering, forgettable mess of distinctly average blues rock.

Why is it always jam today?

main street, mainstream, amirite?

Very good

It's a very well crafted album. Lots of Rolling Stone original music that inspired other musicians.

Truly one of the greatest albums of all time. So soulful and bluesy. Songs like Sweet Virginia, Loving Cup, Let It Loose, Shine a Light are just incredible. There's enough variation in pacing and sound that this album just does not get old. Incredible and an automatic 5.

Yup, they are still good...

4/5 this is a nice one!

I wish I liked the stones more, to me it's just more of the same.

i know this album very well, as a long time stones fan, and have also seen the great documentary movie that covers its creation. this is an iconic sones album and also kind of marks a transition of style / maturity in the stones’ very substantial journey. this one is right up there with their best and as a double album was probably quite a statement at the time.

Why is this album so highly rated? A bunch of boring songs sung by a man with a lousy voice.

it might miss their best of hits but this album is so nice as a whole, with diverse good songs mostly from the blues rock genre and interesting compositions

Good stuff. Not right in my wheelhouse but very listenable.

In the everlasting question of "Beatles or Stones?" I'm firmly in the Beatles corner. This album contains some competently played Blues and Rock'n'Roll with some Country and Folk thrown in. However, it's just not my thing. I enjoy the occasional Stones song, but none of these invites me to listen again (or to the end of the song, for that matter). 2/5

Rock moment

Essentially, rock n roll as a double album. I dig it.

Bättre än det förra!

I had a difficult time rating this one. Honestly, this was a solid offering and I was aware that the music was "good" enough, but I simply couldn't enjoy it for some reason.

I don’t think I’d previously heard any of these, even though I knew the album title. Nothing here to sway me to being a stones fan.

Aucun moment faible sur l'album. S'écoute bien du début à la fin. Pas un masterpiece non plus, aucune pièce ne ressort. Mais c'est un parfait album à écouter du début à la fin sans se tanner

Probably my least favorite of the Stones albums during their “boom period” with Sticky Fingers, Beggar’s Banquet and Let it Bleed. That’s not to say it isn’t a good album, it’s just kind of a big let down (in my eyes) from the previous albums which were insanely good. This is a good one to toss on some headphones and get lost in English Blues/Rock for a little

Great album. Classic,

Nostálgico. Gostei das melodias de jazz e blues

the first half of the album was much better for me, probably the fact that album is so long doesn't help as well. I enjoyed it anyways, there is some cool songs, great rocking, but that was either too much or too little

Much better than Aftermath or Let It Bleed, but 3 is about my ceiling for the rolling stones. 2.5 if I could

I ignored this album growing up outside of the singles (at least compared to other Stones albums). Dig it a lot Fav tracks: Sweet Virginia, Tumbling Dice,

An embodiment of 70s rock.

Did not grab me. There are a few good songs but most just fade into background noise.

Ihan ok, mutta ei mielestäni mitään rollareiden parhaimmistoa.

Tykkäsin! Ei ilmeisesti ihan alkuaikojen Rollareita, kun soundi on jalostunut rokkiräminästä vähän sivistyneempään suuntaan. Hittibiisit loistivat poissaolollaan, mutta tämä oli jopa positiivinen asia. Jaggerin ääni ärsyttää paljon enemmän tällaisessa hieman rauhallisemmassa menossa kuin jatkuvassa bluesrockrevittelyissä. Nelonen.

Great chilled rock n roll!

A decent Stones album, but few of the familiar tunes. More of a deep cuts album.

Always love the Stones and this was a double album too!

Escaping from taxes, consuming drugs and copying some blues

Perhaps the Stones most consistent album across 18 tracks, so a very solid four stars. But there's no track here that would get in a Stones top tent. So four stars.

This is the fourth and last in what I consider to be the Rolling Stones peak period of creativity, from 1968 to 1972. An amazing rock album with a lot of gospel and swing references and great songs like Rocks Off, Tumbling Dice (my favourite Stones tune), Sweet Virginia and Shine a Light.

A definitive Rolling Stones album. Went for the remaster rather than the delux version, which was far too long imo. Remaster sounds tight, and captures the era.

Awesome

Had me tapping my foot for the entire 1hr 48min. Perfectly executed blues with just the right amount of horns scattered throughout, fair bit of Big Sax even. Plenty of shred from the master himself as well. A great album.

I never had listening this album before. It's fun! I'll add on my playlists.

It was alright

Will this be the album where I finally get the hype around The Rolling Stones...?? Nope. 18 tracks and none of them really excited me. Shine a Light at a push. It's all fine, if you fancy an hour of competent bluesy rock & roll, but 'competent' alone will only get you 2.5 stars, tops.

It's Rolling Stones. I liked Loving Cup and Ventilation Blues. There was nothing I particularly disliked.

I'm sure this was groundbreaking at the time but now it just feels tired and pretty samey. I'm not a big fan of these "old-rockers" and that's how this sounds to me even though they probably recorded it very young!

It was good but not very memorable. One recognized song

slap after slap after slap. awesome album. shine the light is an incredible tune, the guitar lick at then end completely shreds

Okay, finally, listened enough of it... Not my taste, but not as bad as i thought ;) Good variety, but not a fan of the overall sound..

Together with Beggars Banquet, which is presumably on the list as well, my favourite Rolling Stones album - a clear top 10-ever album.

The Rolling Stones are a huge band of course, and I like most of their music, but to say I'm a fan would be an exaggeration. However, I thought the band sounded really good on this album, supported by an array of great musicians. I particularly liked the soul/gospel accents (brass, backing vocals), elevating the blues/rock tunes. During the first listen the album felt quite long: into the second half my attention was starting to fade and I even got slightly irritated by Jagger's vocals toward the end. However, the second time around this was no longer an issue and I enjoyed it from start to finish.

I mean… it’s a classic Stones album with their signature sound.

This was hot garbage. Particularly Sweet Black Angel. YUCK!

One of the greatest bands the British music industry has ever produced, this is a snapshot of them at the height of there powers

Bunch of old men, slappin some strings

Not the Stones' best work, but nevertheless a great album and good example of the 60's sound.

3 from me

2 hours of very samey stuff

Liked Torn and Frayed,

Bored

More country than I thought it would be. Just a bit meh

12/16/2021 Today's Album: "Exile on Main Street" by The Rolling Stones - This might be a very unpopular opinion, but I think The Rolling Stones are incredibly overrated. I understand completely why they are important to the time they were popular in and they have one of the greatest influences over classic rock, but I really think they are emblematic of all of the clichés I really don't like about classic rock. Every song they make sounds like the most generic rock and as if it is applying to the lowest common denominator. There is legitimately great musicianship and performances in this album, but the composition of most of the songs just feels so stale unless if it's one of the songs that sounds like it is trying to be a hit. There are plenty of Rolling Stones songs that I like, but I feel like they are a band whose albums are very difficult to listen to as a wholistic experience. That being said, there are some moments on this record that really shine. Sweet Virginia strips things back with a very simple tune and sorta sounds like a Bob Dylan track. Turd On The Run oddly enough has an energy to it that almost no other track on this album seems to have and woke me up a little bit. Other than that it is really hard to latch onto these tracks. They are all lovely to listen to and the production isn't half bad, but they just sound very samey. It's a lot like the early stuff the Beatles were doing in the 1950s and early 60s. Score: 4/10 Just kinda boring to me Highlights: Sweet Virginia, Turd On the Run

7/10

A really good blues album that's missing anything really memorable. Songs are good but not 'next level' like some other Stones stuff

So... disappointing.

One of my favourite Stones albums - loose and raucous.

Surprisingly liked this more than the "classic" stones sound - probably because this sounds more raw and authentic before they became icons.

'Exile On Main Street' is earnestly performed and brilliantly made, making it one of the best albums of the 1970s namely in the field of rock and roll. The many riffs and chord arrangements residing in the spacious bars sound familiar because The Rolling Stones were their early adopters, popularizing it and leaving an everlasting mark. Tempo and pacing done right, this record features an attractive rock 'retro' quality to it - which combined with soulful performances from the members, creates a piece of work that will remain fundamentally influential.

Helst til bensínlaust

I want the rolling stones dead and so does kev apparently

I would regard this as one of the best albums from the Rolling Stones, probably in my top 3, at least. A sprawling double-album, Exile allows the Stones to explore different music different styles and it highlights the band at it's career height, both creatively and musically. This has to be considered one of the greatest double albums of all time, leading off with the highly underrated, Rocks Off and continues to amaze until the end of side 4. Must hear!

The Stones most coherent album. This album is widely regarded one of the greatest rock albums of all time and I agree to an extent. This album distills rock down into its necessary elements and delivers it in a soul/blues/country package. The songwriting is tight as well. I just am not seeing much experimentation here or with the Stones in general.

Not normally my kinda thing but clearly a great album, more folk/country inspired than I thought it'd be. Saved a few tracks. 4/5

Starting to get the RS hype

I know it's a critically acclaimed album, but it doesn't really work for me.

the rolling stones are considered some of the best in history but that wasn’t made evident in this album, sorry not sorry. jk sorry. but it just wasn’t anything shocking or even necessarily good? obviously it wasn’t awful and i didn’t hate it but i just didn’t vibe with it

Well, it's sure miles better than the execrable Exile in Guyville... (i'm still reeling from that one, weeks later). This is making me give Exile a deep dive for the first time in years and ... it's still just ok? That's it for me - it's only ever ok at best. I recognize that this comes in many peoples' top 10 albums of all time ... I mean, damning with faint praise here in that there's nothing in its (VERY) long running time that made me want to skip but on the other hand it's also like an hour+ of blues riffs often with 3 or 2 chords...or 1... and just meandering. Like someone would start a simple riff, they'd all jam on it, and forget that they were supposed to write a song. Print it - next. Also it really does sound like they recorded a lot of it in a living room - which I think they did. Which I suppose none of these are really hard critiques - I could see really liking (loving?) this if you're a fan of "vibey" albums and this is definitely one - is that what the attraction has been for it over the years? That they were on the run/lam in France, super smacked out, and "let's just let the tapes roll" ....? It's a fun story maybe but for me if you're defending an album's greatness based on the background of it coming together over the actual content it's not much of a defence. I don't want to continually rip this (joint?) album by pointing out things I don't like (I probably started with the negatives because so much has been written about it over the years) as there are definitely positives here - for example, when "Tumbling Dice" finally comes on 5 songs in it's fantastic, but maybe more of a relief - it feels like this should be the launching point for more of what was the best of the Stones. Turns out that it's not, but it is still nice to hear a good song. Other standouts for me are "Loving Cup" (which is probably my favourite song on the album) and "Happy" is a fine single. Also I suspect a lot of this comes down to whether you gravitate more towards blues in rock as opposed to more classical/jazz influence, which I generally do not. Sure, I like a lot of Stones songs - e.g. Gimme Shelter is definitely one of my fave popular/classic rock songs ever (less influence from a blues scale on that one, hmm.) - but I think they're generally not my thing. Summary: this album is bloated and often suffers from a lack of cohesive songwriting/songs. Cut this down to ~7 songs (are there 7 actual/good songs here?) and we might have had the start of something at least. 5/10 3 stars

Gave it two listens and it didn't really grab me - there are definitely Rolling Stones albums I like more. To their credit(?), they decided that if they were gonna appropriate black American music, by golly they weren't gonna half arse it - the number of genres they're ripping off an incorporating is impressive. Fave track - "Happy", maybe, or the execrably named "Turd on the Run"

Great album Stones

Nice, but too much of the same

It felt a bit chaotic, there were too many ideas being jammed into this album. The Stones are always enjoyable though. Solid pick for a Saturday.

Stevie Ray Vaughn slash Grateful Dead? Interesting

Very good! Not the best ive heard from them, though.

This might be my favorite Stones album of the ones I've heard so far, but that's not saying a whole lot. This album feels like a good houseparty, with Mick Jagger as host. It might be a bit long and meandering, but it always keeps the groove going.

Exile On Main St. marked a point of decline for the Rolling Stones, but it was a decline from a trilogy of albums so great that it would take a decade before the Stones would truly settle into mediocrity. There were a number of 70s albums still amazing, but nothing would come close to touching Beggars/Bleed/Sticky. I would say it's a shame, but the Stones had more great albums than most bands. The fact that only three are perfect five stars is still a great accomplishment.

Qué discazo. No soy híper fan de los Rolling, pero este disco suena súper fresco y alocado. Lo mejor? Aunque tiene canciones famosas ninguna de ella destaca. Y para cuando te quieras enterar te has metido una hora de disco Trascendencia: 7. Creo que es un disco más bien de culto. Ninguna de sus canciones llega a los 100M de reproducciones. Género: 10. Quieres rock clásico? Toma dos tazss. Personal: 10. Inmejorable

Very fun, very stones.

Really fun listen but some of the songs overstay their welcome.

The music is good, but the album is too long.

Classic rock. You know what you're getting. Nothing out of the ordinary. Neutral experience either way.

Not my cup of tea

Well it's a GREAT album and has some of favorite Stones song, which means some of my favorite songs period. Sweet Virginia, Tumbling Dice, Happy, Rocks Off, Ventilator Blues. Having said that it doesn't hold my attention the whole way through which keeps it just shy of a full 5 star rating 4.5

General notes: Blues inspired album, nothing too remarkable but competent. The bass does not have a full sound, very thing and lifeless. Lot's of second and third voices on top of Mick's. Good guitar work. Song by song **Rocks Off:** Starts the album OK with lots of honky tonk and horns. A fun, festive tone. Nothing too memorable at first listen though. **Rip this Joint:** Classic fast rock'n'roll. **Shake your hips:** Interesting ambience, reminds me of Chris Isaak. harmonica, the blues. **Casino Boogie:** It's a.... boogie. Nothing special. **Tumbling Dice:** One of the most recognizable Stones song for a reason. Great riffing, chorus, all the Stone ingredients are here. **Sweet Virginia:** Slow folksy blues, reminds me of León Gieco. Overall a solid song. **Torn And Frayed:** Mid tempo song, slide guitar, organ. Nothing too special, but the Black Crowes borrowed heavily from this vibe. **Sweet Black Angel:** Acoustic song, no drums. Kind of boring and generic. STOPPED LISTENING HERE.

Knew the album already, good but boring at times

2010 remaster

Always loved this album...gritty new orleans feel...Torn and Frayed + Loving Cup are absolutely solid

Not bad, but very repetitive.

Loved hearing this again. The songs for the most part sound pretty loosely structured, but the grooves and chord vamps underpinning them are so good.

I don't like Rolling Stones

I enjoyed practically every song on this album, I just felt it was a bit too long for me. This has to be my favourite Rolling Stones album that I've heard through this time that I've been generating albums (and I've heard most of them).

Awful. I hate most music like that and yogis is at its worst. Indulgent, sexist and racist. No thanks.

It's the Stones. For a double album, it flows by relatively quickly. Not sure what else can be said about this record aside from, "I enjoyed it." Favorite tracks: "Tumbling Dice", "Ventilator Blues"

Easy 5/5, no question. Favorite tracks might be Happy and All Down the Line

Rock n roll my friends!

I have a confession. I don't think I am that much of a Stones fan.

If Sticky Fingers is the Stones' "Rubber Soul", this is their "Abbey Road." This is by and far the greatest record they have every put out. It's a left turn that veers into an Americana-gospel inspired record while maintaining a quality rock n' roll sound that pulls emotion from every corner of the room. There are some songs that could have been cut for precision sake...but that would detract from the wholesome experience afforded by Exile. Even when certain moments feel out of place, like "Shake Your Hips" or "Turd On The Run", you'll be able to reflect on the bigger picture crafted by Jagger, Richards and the gang and get swallowed back into an experience few records have been able to give in the past 50 years. Favorite Songs: Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Loving Cup, Shine A Light, Soul Survivor Least Favorite: Turd On The Run

I think this album has been built up in my head and I was expecting more from it. A couple songs that knock me out, but by in large I didn't find the album that enjoyable.

Solid Stones album. Not my favorite but very listenable.

A bit embarrassing but I haven't heard much Rolling Stones beyond random songs here and there, but this was pretty damn good. I think you could easily rate this a 5, but in terms of enjoyment for me it's a 4. You can feel the energy on this one, I'm sure lots of these are great live.

Ágætis blúsívaf. Áheyranlegasta hingað til með Stones.

Double album of Rolling Stones. I like two songs: "Tumbling Dice" and "Happy".

You want their "hits"? You want their radio-friendly songs? Then go buy their "Best of..." albums. This album is them showing their blues roots, and paying homage to all the blues greats, without whom there would be no Rolling Stones. If you don't recognize what makes this a watershed album for this band, then you don't deserve to understand this album. How's that for a bit of rock snobbery?

This was a very 'soulful' type of rock and roll album. I enjoyed it quite a lot! Felt like the perfect mix between New Orleans and London.

Now this is a classic album. Heroin/coked up tax exiles record a double album of swampy rock and blues with a splash of country in an old chateau. What's not to love? Best Tracks: Rocks Off; Tumbling Dice; Sweet Virginia

Exile on Main Street hört sich an wie ein 3 Tage wach Imperativ auf der Bourbon Street. Da muss alles durch, was in Kopf und Leber hindurch und Verstärker und Luftröhren hinaus passt. Leider sind dadurch die meisten Songs abgesehen von ihrer Energie recht mau und in der Fülle sogar nervtötend. In etwa so, als wäre man der ‘designated driver‘ eines Junggesellen Abschieds. Uff 1.6

It‘s a grower on me, und ein Denkmal für Charlie Watts. Faves: Let It Loose, Rocks Off und Shine A Light.

ooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo

Very bluesy. Would make great background music

I am utterly puzzled by universal critical acclaim this album receives. It has its moments - I particularly liked the Country rock of Torned and Frayed -but it feels interminably dull for the most part. So much Stones by numbers, very proficient, but lacking in tunes. The Stones are far better than this.

10/10

It’s got it going on, but it’s definitely not my favorite Stone’s album.

Un bon album des Stones. Ca sonne bien et certaines tounes sont vraiment classiques. J'ai aimé écouté l'album mais la première moitié est plus faible que la deuxième. 4.25

Stones at their finest... the best expression of rock and roll ever conceived

Not my favourite Stones album (that would be Let It Bleed) but still bloody good. Iconic cover too.

This album was fine. I have a general indifference to the Rolling Stones and this record did nothing to move the needle in either direction. Like several of the albums we have listened to from decades past, there is a feel that it was ground breaking at the time, but the edge diminished with time. Machismo and drugs are standard fare and a bit played out today. The various musical styles do keep it interesting, though. What I liked most about this album is hearing what later artists took liberally from. I hear horns The Hold Steady used and a lot of Adam Green's sound is basically these tracks with a bit more pop sensibility. Hands down the most rewarding aspect of this listen was comparing it to the track for track response album that Liz Phair put out, Exile in Guyville. Hopefully that album, with much more soul and something to say, will pop up on this list.

Bluesy.

I couldn't say why but I've never been very fond of the Stones albums, maybe because my parents had only compilations or maybe because I wanted to be a Sgt. Pepper over there somewhere lol... I don't think I've ever listened to this one in full before, and not all the songs I'm familiar with. I can recognize the effort and quality but I got tired after a while. This is the first Stones album I've got from the list so lets hope it only gets better

I can honestly say I've never actively listened to the rolling stones before. A couple of songs in I'd made my mind up that it just wasn't grabbing me but it did throw delicious surprises out. Lighter and more fun than I'd expected. It made for nice listening if a little samey on a first listen. The vocal tracks didn't grab me enough to make a lasting impression but I enjoyed it well enough.

Would you believe me if I told you I've never listened to a Rolling Stones album before, nor have I even attempted to? Why not? Let me tell you a story: I returned to my primary school a couple of years after leaving, with a few friends. We wanted to say hi to old teachers, revisit the old stomping ground. Our old music and RE teacher, Mr Watts, marched past. An eccentric man. We tried to stop him and say hi, but he simply said "Too tall, too tall," and marched on. That was the last ever interaction I had with him. He's dead now. Point being, the Stones (and Dylan, and Bowie, and Nick Cave..., but especially the Stones) were always "too tall" for me. I couldn't bear to face up to the sheer volume of music I'd avoided. Better to march on blindly, and not engage. Well, just as I think Mr Watts was completely wrong on that fateful day 20 or so years ago, I am pleased to report I too was completely wrong. Not only are the individual songs vibrant, catchy, fun and booty-shaking - the album as a whole feels like a real celebration of a band at the peak of their powers. It has an unerring sense of utter self-confidence that is completely intoxicating. So. Why not 5 stars? Because I can't help feeling like a fraud of a Stones-listener; giving it 5 stars implies I've unpacked everything, and digested its meaning. Truth is, I got my groove on, found it so much more accessible than I'd ever have dreamed and am primed for this to grow into a 5 star. I just don't feel like I've earned it yet. After all, they are just too tall to take in on one listen.

In which the Stones return to their 60's peak, take another look at the summit, then surpass it the only way a torn and frayed band knows how: by jumping head-first down the other side and dragging us with them. What else is the audio murk but dust and grit in the microphones? Why is Jagger garbling his words but he's got a gob full of rocks? In its ass-backwards way, Exile may pivot on its two most attenuated songs: I Just Want To See His Face--a barely decipherable religious plaint that sounds like a discarded 78 from four decades earlier--is a potash of manufactured and organic matter--Jagger's Black America vocals, the gospel backing, and washboard rhythms--and Sweet Black Angel-- an undercover protest song for the imprisoned Angela Davis. Also sung in Jagger's morally ambiguous Deep South imitation and containing the N word, its potentially offensive features are in fact a complex comment on the retrograde treatment of Black people filtered through a century of Black music. In other words, Exile is rich beyond belief, feeding and fed by the entire tradition of popular music. Its treasures may never be unearthed or understood. But like the very best art, the joy is in experiencing it, not interpreting it.

Good songs, really shows the blues band they were. Still not totally amazing

Interesting mix of genres. Very laidback...very classic rock n roll.

Some good songs, but all sound very much the same in the end. Nothing I'd listen to again or save to any playlists.

Absolutely classic. A few weak tracks and a lot of misogyny pull it down from a 5 to a 4, but this is a pretty iconic album.

ну я ваще не фанат вот этого рокешника 70ых, всяких олдов роллингов, диперплов и прочее. Хотя и не против. Послушал альбом, всё залпом не одолел, но потом дослушал

solid stones album

Double album with 18 songs from the Rolling Stones. Much more bluesy vibe to the album, not as much in the pure rock that some of their more well-known tunes have. Funny that there is an 18 song Stones album and I haven't heard a single one of the tunes before, despite growing up on classic rock radio.

You can’t get more from this. It’s rock n roll the way the Stones mastered it, bringing in country, blues, gospel, and the attitude that makes them the best. RIP Charlie.

Nice blues rock that sounds like a big jam party. No Song really stands out and carries the album, the album is a rad bit too long but still good rock

Lots of people get super horny for the Stones. Not this reviewer so much. Good album - calm down

This was certainly a Rolling Stones album. Incredible to think all the members are 112 years old and still touring

Good music. Very 70s/80s. Most of the music sounds the same but good album overall

Listened while setting up my room. Pretty good, I haven't really listened to much of the stones but it had some pretty sweet grooves. Would listen again

Lots of bluesy filler which unfortunately dilutes the overall quality of the album which is a damn shame as there are enough great tracks here to make it an absolute classic. The best tracks are invariably the ones where they more overtly breakaway from standard rhythm and blues. Favourite track: the atmospheric 'Let it Loose' or the soaring 'Shine a Light'

was really looking forward to this but its...a bit hot n miss. doesn't get good till tumblin dice and is patchy. 3

Rating: 7/10 Best songs: Happy, Shine a light, Following the river

Exile on Main St, in all its ragged, full-on, rock'n'roll swagger, is all a young man needs. In places, this record does indeed sound, in the best possible way, like an album made by a bunch of drunks and junkies who were somehow firing on all engines. The Stones would never sound so sexy, so raucous and abandoned,ever again. Fave Stones album, by far.

What a joy to find my favourite Stones album in the inbox today. I'm not even half was through the 1st tune and already three classic lines: 1) "The Sunshine bores the daylights out of me." (I use that one all the time) 2) "I come every time that she pirouettes on me." (I always think of that line when I meet a dancer but I wisely don't let it move from the brain to the tounge.) 3) and of course the line that I'm sure is also your favourite: "Plug in, flush out, and fight and fuck and feed." Then we move to the 2nd song which contains the classic line: "Dick and Pat down in old DC, they're gonna hold some shit for me." I could go on like this for every song. My ability to understand Mick's slur is no better than anyone else's but I bought the Japanese press of this album which included a loot bag of extras including a lyric sheet. In those pre-Google days this meant I was the only kid in town who knew the words. I remember an interview with Charlie where he said he didn't like being in the South of France for so long since he couldn't find Branston Pickles. Yeah that's the same reason I've never been to the south of France. lol This is the album, when Keith started playing his guitar with Open G tuning and only 5 strings - tossing the low E string (most bass string). This made it tough on the bar bands since they couldn't get the riffs to sound right on most Stones songs that followed. Side 2 is my favourite side. One hit and the rest is excellent jamming with all instruments on fire and really good harmonies, especially considering none of them knows how to sing. Tumbling Dice is an excellent example of how an opening riff can make a song. This was Keith's specialty. Torn and Frayed is a good example of Charlie's drumming prowess (RIP). Also Bobby Keys is at his best with Sweet Virginia being his highlight. I will never find too many live versions of this song from concerts in the Bobby days. (RIP). If you're a Bobby Keys fan check out the G rated version of Sweet Virginia on You Tube. It's an afternoon concert in front of the Nashville library (I think). Since there are lots of kids running around within earshot he changes the words to " Got to scrape the 'stuff' right off your shoe." Sweet Virginia is one of the few songs played with regular guitar tuning and all six strings so the guitar hacks can play something from this double LP. Although it really doesn't sound that good without the sax and harp solos. Side 3 is also very good starting with Happy, the best known song that Keith sings. When I saw him play it he couldn't remember the words which was hilarious given he only sings lead on one song. Oh well, at least he took his guitar playing seriously which is the main thing. Fabulous album!

I remember reading somewhere a long time ago that this was a “heroin-fueled” album, which I interpreted as meaning the drugs enabled them to hit a creative Zenith. Stuff I have read or watched since says the main effect of the heroin was that the recording sessions took longer because Keith Richards kept falling asleep. I keep thinking of them half-asleep or high, playing this sloppy mess of rock n’ roll, blues, gospel, country and soul. There is some great piano-playing throughout and (go-figure) Mick is a pretty hot harmonica player. If I were the cherry-pick my 10 favorite songs (I would include the blues covers) it would be quite an album.

Raucous honky tonk rock n roll. But a double album was a bit too much for me. The songs seemed to run together with a very similar sound. Shake your hips and Sweet Virginia were the exceptions and the ones I liked best. I’ve always thought that I respect the Stones but I just don’t love them and this still holds true.

5.0 + unmatched for its loose swagger. This recording sounds like a rollicking weekend bender and I wish I could jump in and join.

Honestly, I don’t get why this album gets praised as one of the greatest ever made. It’s still an amazing album, don’t get me wrong, but I just don’t see it as being superior to albums like Let It Bleed or Sticky Fingers. Personally, I feel it could’ve been a solid 12 track album that didn’t need to be a double.

It's the stones. they are as old as I am....always loved the stones

Eh, it was alright. We feel like we've heard this kind of bluesy rock a lot, and maybe we're too young to really get what makes this album interesting.

That sure was a rolling stones album, I only just listened to it and I can't remember a single track, but it was fine while it was on.

Still don't get the hype. So much of this album felt like dull rock 'n' roll that I've already forgotten and am unlikely to go back to. It's well executed, and there's some better moments on it - I really liked Let it Loose and Shine a Light - but for the best part, I just don't care

I’m not the biggest Stones fan in the world…but this is FUCKING good man! I may just find myself investing more time in them! Great album, funky, bluesy, sexy rock!

Without a doubt one of the best rock albums of all time. Now, I've been known to give Rolling Stones albums 5 stars before, so what makes this one stand out as king? It's hard to hear an album more coherent and intertwined with crazy strong tracks. Note that this double album isn't full of radio hits like prior the prior album Sticky Fingers, but these songs work one after another and nothing sounds out of place. It represents everything that the Rolling Stones had stood for, and their massive influence on rock music, from their solid incorporation blues to gospel to psychedelia to country. "Rocks Off" is the perfect intro. It's one of the most melodic tracks, representing their psychedelic days. Every instrument is out of sync and vocals come and disappear almost randomly. The brass hits you like a truck but is a masterful display. The next track "Rip This Joint" is a homage to rockabilly, and although I don't recall them starting out with rockabilly (I don't listen to their first albums much and I thought they were heavy blues), it's another rocking fast-paced album that reflects the evolution that the Rolling Stones took music in the prior decade. Next we have a lofi blues cover that I believe pays homage to their origins in the early production age of relying on blues covers. Two songs later we get the lead single "Tumbling Dice" which is probably the only song out of this album that's a radio staple. But I assure you this is not a song you can forget. Nothing about this song is predictable. The structure of the melody and lyrics keeps varying so much to keep you interested. It is also a testament as the zenith of the Rolling Stones' work since Beggars Banquet, with a heavy gospel chorus and strong blues rock heavier and more melodic than any other song except maybe Rocks Off. The second side is dedicated to their impact on country rock, and this best reflects the coherency of this album. The segway from the hard rock first side to the country second side is still inherently Rolling Stones but changes the perspective to focus on a more folklike side of rock, demonstrating the range that Rolling Stones had touched the music industry. I just want to talk about the first track of these which is one of my favorites, "Sweet Virginia." I've never been a fan of country, but oh sweet virginia, from the lofi vocals, Jagger's harmonica in the background, and that amazing sax solo, it makes me feel nostalgic for a place I've never actually experienced. Third side we go back to classic rock n roll with another strong pop rock song, "Happy." The next two tracks are hard and loud songs that follow seamlessly, until we suddenly get a strange transition from "Ventilator Blues" to the lofi gospel track "I Just Want to See His Face." Despite the quiet outro, it is not the end of the side. The final track is an epic ballad of more than 5 minutes, this time paying homage to all the kind of music of the black community that Rolling Stones took inspiration from over the years. Their most soulful track, it is heavy in both blues and gospel. The final side starts off once again with another strong pop rock track "All Down the Line," which is melodic and rocks but yet for some reason did not chart. The last track I wanted to talk about is "Shine the Light" which I believe has the strongest lyrics. The pace keeps changing, starting off slow, picking up speed, and retaining the momentum all throughout. One of the best displays of their masterful craft of combining rock and gospel. Usually with double albums they're so long I lose attention from time to time until I song I like comes up. Not with this album. It doesn't stick to one theme for long. Skipping any track makes the experience feel incomplete. And after so many listens, you'll find there are no tracks to skip. No other album in history except maybe the White Album is able to show such diversity in talent while still sticking true to their character and influence on the music industry. I'm really happy this album exists, and I doubt a year will go by in my life without at least half a dozen listens.