Reviews (page 8 of 14)
Yep!
So apparently this is their album where they went wild by locking themselves in a mansion doing drugs or something. Well, Sabbath did the same with much better results.
It's okay, but it's not The Beatles.
A quick look at the titles and you know you're in for one of the most painful moment of your life : Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Shake Your Hips, Casino Boogie, Tumbling Dice, Loving Cup, VENTILATOR BLUES, All Down The Line... How the hell can you go so generic for 1 hour long? I mean, even AC-DC can go more creative and wild than that. The result is, of course, plain, forgettable, inoffensive and boring blues rock. It feels like an album made with fillers only. I must admit I enjoyed 2 songs : Sweet Black Angel and Let It Loose were great.
6/10. Like it's alright. A very pleasant blues rock album from the seventies with coarse vocals and some catchy riffs. But that's it, didn't change my life tbh.
this is the stones I like
Exile On Meh Street I had such high expectations for Turn On The Run saved slightly by the excellent Shine A Light
Terrible music from terrible people
Definitely the best "British guys pretending to be southern bluesmen" albums so far
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Stones + American Blues influence = gold. This is home to my favorite Stones single too - Tumblin Dice.
It was ok. I think my favorites were Let It Loose and shine a light. Kinda wondered which was the single because none of them really stuck out to me as single material.
Well, after I eventually found this album on you tube. (The first one you got is some electronic album with all the same track names). It did exactly what it says on the can. It's standard Stones fare, ok but nothing to write home about. The only track worth a special mention is when they covered La Grange by ZZ Top, which of course they didn't, and it was called Shake Your Hips. Gobsmackingly enough, it came out the year before the ZZ Top classic too. Other than that just a standard album.
It’s ok. Considering it’s always featured in any ‘best album’ list you’d care to look at it, it’s not great! Got some catchy guitar hooks and some decent bluesyness here and there, but by no means a classic album. ‘Tumbling Dice’ and ‘Soul Survivor’ the stand outs for me.
Another reason why I never got into the Stones. It's great that they managed to capture that 'vibe' they were looking for. But it's totally lost on me. There were a couple of glimmers of greatness, but I really couldn't be arsed to find out what the tracks were called. I won't bother with this again.
Bluesy rock. That’s what it is.
Fantastic album. Simon and Garfunkel can go from this slow and whispering almost haunting vibe in songs like Old Friends to explosive sing-alongs in mrs. Robinson. Lots to explore here. Notable song: Fakin’ it
I would say I like the more ballad ones, rather than the straight rock and roll ones which can sometimes be good. I mean what more is there to say, its the Rolling Stones. Favourite songs: rocks off, casino boogie, tumbling dice, sweet Virginia, torn and frayed, loving cup, happy, let it loose. Overall around 7/10
I have always been very vocal about my assertion that The Rolling Stones are overrated. I've said that they only have two good songs: Sympathy for the Devil and Paint it Black. That said, I think most of this album is fairly new to me. Some of it is far more Blues-inspired than their more mainstream music. I like the Blues stuff, but if I'm going to experience Blues I will go to the source and listen to some authentic delta blues from the likes of Muddy Waters and Robert Johnson. There's nothing wrong with the Stones' rendition, it's just not where I go for that style. Their more conventional rock songs on this album do the same thing that most of Rolling Stones songs do for me... not much. They just don't inspire me. And whoa boy.. the runtime of this double album certainly makes it overstay any welcome it started with.
Pet favs: Shake Your Hips (Slim Harpo); Sweet Virginia; Stop Breaking Down (Robert Johnson) The Rolling Stones are fine. They have some great songs but I've always thought their reputation exceeds their grasp. Mick Jagger is no singer and should not be demonstrating this defect on songs like 'Let It Loose'. He's fine enough when he stays in his narrow lane. This album is too long but still listenable without being tedious. It's too messy in parts. (It's recording history reads like a rolling disaster.) I know I'm supposed to like this album, like this band, and accept it without argument. I won't. I await another RS album listen to change my mind because this one ain't going to do it.
I'm so tired of the Stones. Why do they get so many albums here? Enough already. Give someone else a chance.
porra eu não suporto mais rolling stones CHEGA NÃO É LEGAL ASSIM
definitivamente é rolling stones. 67 minutos de puro bluezinho feito por britanicos que queriam muito ser estadunidenses. meia boca.
To my shame I don't think I've ever tried to listen to the Stones. "The Music Never Stopped" is one of my favorite movies, but I never actually put effort into seeing what it's all about. It's way closer to blues than modern rock than I thought it would be.
I don't like The Rolling Stones, but nice album
I don't really get the point of playlists, overlong groupings of songs thrown together to fit a mood, a vibe, an ambience, or style. The playlist that is simply a depository for all the songs you've ever liked makes some sense, but seems needlessly complicated to navigate. I used to tape the songs I liked from CDs I borrowed from the CD library, but, honestly, I never went back to the tapes. I just made them so I would have the songs. If I actually wanted to listen to the songs, I would have to integrate them into a proper mixtape. A mixtape that, like an album proper, would have a flow, highs and lows, transitions and juxtapositions. A journey rather than a mood. Arranging songs by vibe feels like collecting together swatches of the same colour in different shades, a paint chart instead of a collage. That's what Exile On Main Street is: a playlist, not an album. Songs the band liked - that you may like too - thrown together, one after the after. A decent ear will recognise different genres of Americana, but really all of them of a piece - you see the family resemblance, you know why they were put in the Main Street bin rather than the Sticky Fingers one. But not one song connects to the next, they don't clarify or edify each other by sitting side by side. One song doesn't even know the other ones are there. That is a form of variety, I suppose. Or that's how often feels. Really I hear two types of song here, some that are inward-looking and some that are outward-looking. The inward-looking songs sound like the band is a circle, playing to themselves, enjoying the camaraderie of walking through their favourite styles and influences. This is most of them, documentation of a good time that you missed out on - like the party atmospherics on that first Beastie Boys album. The outward-looking songs sound like Mick Jagger is facing the audience, the band and backdrop behind him. Shine A Light, for example, is for us. Too much of the record is for them. Knowing that a playlist will go on indefinitely, with no indication of where you are in its length, you keep an ear out for highlights, for little things that grab you. Plenty grabs me here, but only for a moment, full songs are hard to grasp or care to grasp. That those little things on Exile On Main Street are the playing of Nicky Hopkins, the brass arrangements, and the gospel backing vocals says who knows what about my feelings for the Rolling Stones. 3 While it is clearly impossible to deny that the Rolling Stones had a better time making this than anyone has ever had listening to it, it’s still quite good to listen to. They had perfected the art of building more or less mundane musical material into brilliant, ecstatic finales - Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Loving Cup, All Down the Line. The sloppy(?), inconsistent production actually gives a sense of variety and certainly contributes to the spontaneous, party atmosphere of the record as well, although there is very little sloppy about the playing - the piano particularly is absolutely terrific. But the real key element in why this album is so good is Mick Jagger’s ability to find some convincing melodic hook every time (Keith Richards finds one too to be fair) and then deliver it with terrific energy and drama. Rocks and Shine a Light are two of my favourite Stones tracks and while I don’t particularly love anything else on this record I don’t think it ever sags in quality. Actually that’s not true - I love I just want to see his face. And all the horns. And the backing vocals. And Charlie Watts drumming. 4/5
Ok the Stones a basically a blue band but I think I expected more from this famous album. There's a lot of standard blues here. I didn't find it a creative as the previous few albums.
It's not bad nor is it good perfect for background music. Nothing grabs your attention in a good or bad way.
MID
I’ve been delaying writing this review because I don’t know what to say. I hadn’t ever really listened to a full Stones album admittedly. Exile On Main Street was shaking in its mediocrity. This is clearly the cool kids album. I currently am not running with the cool crowd I guess. Needs more listens. 5.8/10
Still not a huge Stones fan, although I liked this album as a whole better than Let It Bleed. You can hear this album's influence everywhere, from La Grange by ZZ Top to Shania Twain. Overall though, solid, just wasn't blown away.
This album definitely had some good songs, but I think none of them really spoke to me
Not the best stones album imo. Still quite solid 3.5
Good album. Some people love it and say it's their best but I disagree. I think it's good but there's better.
I have yet to listen to a Rolling Stones album that isn't "just okay", and boy this is not the exception to that.
3 stars
I've already heard this. The best Rolling Stones album, as it's the most coherent. A bit long to run to since it's a triple. You could call this the Stone's 'Sandinista'.
"Exile on Main St." is the tenth studio album and a double album at that by English rock band the Rolling Stones. The album is known for its "murky inconsistent sound due to more disjointed musicianship and production , along with a party-like atmosphere heard in several tracks." Recording began in 1969 at London's Olympic Studios but the main sessions occurred in mid-1971 at a Keith Richards' rented villa in South of France using a mobile recording studio. The bandmembers were evading taxes. The album is attributed as the culmination of a string of the band's most critically successful records. Commercially, it reached #1 both in the US and UK. The guitar riff, the drums and Mick Jagger saying "Oh Yeah" open "Rocks Off." Just a great groove. Overlapped sloppy backing vocals by Richards. Inspired playing on this song and throughout the album by Nicky Hopkins (piano), Jim Price (horns) and Bobby Keys (sax). A song about subjective dissociation. Yeah, I read that. It's about drugs. A great song to set the tone for the album. "Tumbling Dice" is another great song with a great rhythm groove. Richards on lead and rhythm guitar. The vocal "ooohhhs." It'd be hard to pick a better song that represents a Rolling Stone sound. The second side highlights their interest in country and country rock and in particular the influence of Gram Parsons. "Torned and Frayed" gets the honkey tonk sound going. Acoustic guitar and guest Al Perkins killing it on the pedal steel guitar. Nicky Hopkins' piano stands out in "Loving Cup." There's horns and a soulful air. Charlie Watts' drumming also shines. Keith Richards takes over vocals, bass and the guitars on "Happy." There's horns. Another Stones' classic. The guitar riff gets "All Down the Line" going. The band settles into their groove and you can hear the apparent fun in the vocals. "Shine a Light" is a soulful and gospel-inspired song about their former guitarist, the late Brian Jones. Another guest musician, Billy Preston, on organ and piano playing a key role in the tone and mood of the song. To me, this is the album were you hear that classic Stones' sound. Sure, there's influences of blues, rockabilly, soul, gospel and country rock but at this point, it really is the Stones' sound. As with "Let It Bleed," guest musicians such as Nicky Hopkins, Bobby Keys, Jim Price, Al Perkins and Billy Preston play key roles. And, of course, Jimmy Miller is more than just a producer and plays instruments in a majority of these songs. It would be hard to pick a best Stones' album but for me, on this album they quite hit a groove which they never quite equaled.
The style of this album doesn't really suit me as a listener. The country and gospel elements are off-putting. It's not terrible - it lands somewhere between meh and annoying.
Top tier, doesn't get better than this.
3.0 - Ok
naja, da ist aber noch sehr viel Luft nach oben
It's a very solid rock album and glad I listened to it. That being said, it's not one I would choose to listen to often.
Great Blues and Rock n Roll Elements through the whole Album and the Sound is so American. Feels like a Album to listen while driving through Route 66. Could've been a bit shorter but it is still a great and strong album overall. (4.0/5.0)
Not going to lie, this one kinda blurred together but it definitely a good listen, can’t really pick a top 3
The Stones best album? Its full of padding. Nothing worth listening to. How they miss Bryan Jones.
Aproape 5
This is the classic Stones album. While not my personal favorite, it is an incredible album. 5/5 must listen.
A nuria le rechiflo porque es rockera, a jaime meh
Exile On Main Street is a good overall listen, but nothing really stands out or rises above the rest. The album rolls along with a loose, bluesy vibe, making it solid background rock music. It’s gritty, it’s raw, and it’s got that signature Stones sounds, but it never quite hits a high point that demands attention.
Битлы-панки. Плюсы и минусы. В жизни я не люблю три вещи: смотреть трехчасовые фильмы, читать трехтомные произведения и, конечно же, слушать длинные альбомы, особенно когда их длина необоснованна. Мой идеал - 13 треков, которые в сумме идут больше часа и содержат ёмкий концепт, не расплываясь на десятки дополнительных песен. Здесь же ситуация двоякая: вроде бы этот альбом и надоедает, а вроде, словно кантри-альбом Марти Роббинса, вводит слушателя в атмосферу. Атмосферу злобных типов, которые не любят The Beatles. Если вкратце, мне этот альбом не запомнился и не выделился чем то уникальным, очередной альбом в серии, коих было уже достаточно. Но я все таки рекомендую его послушать другим и ознакомиться с ним поподробнее, так как в нем действительно есть что послушать и чем проникнуться: интересный инструментал, эксперименты, которые по качеству сведения не уступают тем же битлам и многое другое. Битломанские 3,5/5 (3/5)
Good Stones. Very Bluesy.
Maybe I’m missing historical importance but it sounded very generic.
Rocks Off: I like the psychedelic-sounding break in it. The lyrics are kind of funny even though the song is about heroin use. Rip This Joint: Very fast-paced, not as sure about this one. Ok actually I like the saxophone solo. Shake Your Hips: So this song is actually a cover from blues artist Slim Harpo. I really like this one, the guitar is the highlight. And of course the harmonica. Casino Boogie: This one's an easy listen, pretty basic, but I like the way they came up with the lyrics, by writing phrases on paper and then cutting them up and sticking them together. That's so fun. Tumbling Dice: About a promiscuous gambler, and their only major hit from the album. Lyrically I enjoy how the dice theme is threaded throughout the whole song, I think that's really creative. Sweet Virginia: A country-inspired track. His voice sounds really far away, which I think reflects the hazy, drug-induced atmosphere at the time of recording. Harmonica and guitar are great. Torn and Frayed: Another easy listen, I like the instrumental break in the middle. Enjoyable, not very memorable though. Guitar in outro is satisfying. Sweet Black Angel: The percussion/instrumentation in this one is really interesting and works well with the guitar.
Love the Stones!
Classic blues album. Cohesive, fits together beginning to end.
This was one of the first, if not the very first albums I bought with my first teacher pay check. So consistent, amazing guitar and soulful backing vocals in particular. The country / rock mesh is just right.
For one of the greatest rock bands of all time they sure like to play the blues. I've always heard that they and alot of other bands from the era juts stole the blues and I finally get it. It's nothing but blues. There is track that I'm assuming zz top took. There is another track where mick jagger sounds like he's attempting to do Dylan. What a wild time where everything just flowed into and out of everything else. I'm sure today isn't any different but I don't have 50 years of progress to see it at the moment. Good nice album though. Nothing too crazy but it's solid
The Stones keep doing this "funky Americana" thing, vacillating between Gospel, Soul, straight blues, country, bluegrass... I mean, it's good, the band is tight but spontaneous (for the most part - I think they play up the sloppiness a bit to the detriment of the tunes), Keith Richards is always excellent. But it's more of the same since they started, this one has a little more orchestration. They're kind of poseurs, though. I guess they were the original Blues Poseurs™. Paves the way for a lot of fairly mediocre stuff to come later like the Black Crowes and Creed. Doesn't suck but a bit long.
if i was a Black Panther in the 70's, i would have thrown a molotov at the Rolling Stones' tour bus for "Sweet Black Angel". imagine going to jail as a political prisoner and the biggest white rock group in the world writes a song calling you a pin up girl and using the words "free de sweet black slave". i'd be pissed. otherwise, "Exile on Main St."'s biggest crime is how boilerplate it is for the Stones' sound. it's treated as this revelation to their sound, but i just feel like it's the same bluesy stuff that fades into the background of a sports bar instead of something really special. even the good songs with memorable parts like "Let it Loose" or "Tumbling Dice" basically get by on how homey and folksy they sound instead of any real interesting or unique sound. if i squint my ears, i can trick myself into thinking in listening to The Band. you can hate Sticky Fingers all you want, but at least it's got "Wild Horses" and "Moonlight Mile". "Exile on Main St." doesn't have tracks like that. the closest it ever gets to it is "Shine a Light", which is diminished by how much it sounds like the worse tracks around it. it's a The Beatles [White Album] with all the interesting experiments replaced with more messy blues, an artistic statement that says "this is what we are" by staying the course instead of exploding into a million different directions. it's probably a lot better to listen to if you're drunk, and that's not a compliment. i can't hate the Rolling Stones. Scorsese's one of my favorite directors, he likes the Stones, so i can tolerate them for Marty. but i can't really make any excuses for "Exile". it's just a boring, bluesy sludge dumped on the ground. consistency isn't everything if the substance offers no real taste.
real good bluesy rock, perfect for a summer drive to the campsite
didn’t listen probably a 3-4
Typical Rolling Stones. A little loud, a little rebelliousb
I was quite surprised that despite being released in 1972, this album followed the style of classic 50s rock and roll. Everything from the rhythm and chord progressions used felt like music you would hear at a dance hall on a Friday night. Now I'm just waiting for a cute boy to come up to me and ask me to dance or take me roller skating. Onto the actual review of the music. I think my criticism of this album is that after a while, all the songs kinda sound the same? Which in this scenario I don't actually have any issue with it because the album is so laid back and easy to listen to. So why is this a criticism if I don't mind it? Probably because I don't see myself coming back to this album anytime soon except maybe if can find it on cassette to listen to during a Sunday afternoon drive. In other words, I'll come back to this for the vibe, but not because I think it's one of the most well-written or produced albums of all time.
Date- 2/17/2025 Number- 67 Rating- 2 Top Tracks- Tumbling Dice Loving Up Ventilator Blues Listening Notes- For how much I like the Stones, it surprised me I had not listened to this album in full. Great Blues/Honky Tonk and Boogie album without anything skippable. I really enjoyed the piano, horns, steel guitar and blues vocals. I still lean more towards the Stones rock heavy songs, but I will be listening to this album much more. I may have listened to this album on my own, but am happy I did for the 1001 project. A solid 4.
I get that they're influential and this is one of their best, but it doesn't really grab and never has.
Best Stones album on the list so far. After the first two tracks I was convinced er dere talking about a classic, but the Shake Your Hips happened and they went back to their normal selves with some great songs and a lot of filler. Apart from the mentioned tracks, I really enjoyed Sweet Black Angel and Shine a Light. 6/10.
My third Stones album so far. I don't know what it is, they just don't do it for me. Like, it's fine, but nothing on this album really made me *feel* anything. My choice for my playlist is Shine A Light, which I do really like.
Murky bluesy groovy
Song for song, the best Rolling Stones album in my book.
Pretty good; But didn't leave a crazy impression on me
I already had this album downloaded but had never listened to it in its entirety & in the order of tracklisting. I loved listening to it how it was meant to be. I need to do this more often. Brilliant album!
I was really hoping the song "Turd on the Run" would change my opinion of this album as a whole, but they even managed to fuck that one up for me. I don't know what it means that the only song I liked was "Soul Survivor." I felt it had drifted away from the rest of the stolen R&B sound of the album back into the moodier rock sound that I enjoy from the Stones. Having heard the title Exile on Main Street before, I knew this album was iconic. It just isn't for me. The blues ain't my thing, man.
They sure took their own advice to Let It Loose on this one. Who cares exactly where or under what circumstances this album was made when it's just so much FUN to listen to? Drags a little for a couple of tracks in the middle, but still: Peak Stones!
- Exceptional Album, listened to it 3 times yesterday!
Very good but it got very repetitive, couldve done with being half as long as well
I feel very conflicted about this album. The first half is very country rock and samey, not bad but forgettable. The second half is some of the best rocking Rolling Stones I've heard. This did not need to be a double album; sides C & D are so much better than A & B. Classic case of less is more, but still all around solid. Top tracks: Ventilator Blues, Let It Loose, Soul Survivor
Amazing.
Probably pretty groundbreaking for the time. Much more piano and brass than expected. Listened 2/24
I find it light and fun
Good but not great in my opinion.
A little bit sleazy, a little bit sloppy, and some fantastic tunes. I love it.
Interesting. Not for me, but cool
This was pretty good. Not an unbearable amount of honky tonk. Enough careful composition to keep it interesting. Bluesy classic rock. Not my thing, but I can’t complain
This was pretty good. Not an unbearable amount of honky tonk. Enough careful composition to keep it interesting. Bluesy classic rock. Not my thing, but I can’t complain
My favourite flavour of Rolling Stones is definitely the dirty, dirty blues variety. It always feels a bit lazy to criticise double albums for being too long or 'sagging' at some point so I try to avoid that critique but I have found even after a few listens that particularly the first ten or so tracks have a bit of a habit of blurring into one. I personally found myself digging the second half more and if I had this on LP, I'd probably default mostly to listening to disc two. I've been gaining a massive appreciation for the harmonica recently and this has some truly vintage parts on the old mouth organ. So that helped tip me from a strong 3 to just about a 4.
According to fans, this is apparently the best album The Rolling Stones ever made. Critics these days would agree: 5's, 10's and A's across the board. ROLLING STONE (the magazine) would agree as well. On its 2012 list it was a top ten entry, at number 7. Later in 2020 it dropped down to 14, but it's still the highest-ranked Rolling Stones album by far — heck, at this point it now out-ranks SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND. That's quite a bit of pedigree for my ass. However, The Rolling Stones themselves (or maybe just Mick Jagger) would not agree. At the very least, he or they don't understand all the praise. The album didn't yield very many hits, after all — and that's not even to bring up the **mixing**! It's curious to me to see that disconnect. It's not particularly pronounced, yeah, but just that it exists at all... And, I'unno, just based off of the vibes I'd gotten from the Stones, I don't think I would've guessed that **this** was supposed to be the absolute cream of the crop. STICKY FINGERS, LET IT BLEED, those feel more to me like they should be claiming the top spot. Especially LET IT BLEED — how can an album that has shit like "Gimme Shelter" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want" **not** be the best thing? Goodness, STICKY FINGERS has "Dead Flowers", and that's an amazing little deep cut. Meanwhile, I look at EXILE ON MAIN ST., and I don't recognize a single song here. From the outside, I'm seeing what Jagger is talking about... And, like, I recognize, I'm largely judging a book by its cover here. Just because an album doesn't have any big obvious hits doesn't mean it's any worse. Heck, albums with big hits could be **worse** 'coz they only have the one or two good songs. It's just not typically a good sign in my eyes, y'know? It's not like listening to the album entirely disproves that, either. I mean, don't get me wrong: this is great rock music. In fact, it's not **just** "great rock": there's so much country and gospel influence throughout... And, oh, goodness me, the gospel influence. Let me put it out there right now, the gospel stuff is the best stuff on this album. Any time there was a song that leaned that way (or in a similar soul-ish direction), ah, I was all for it. Certainly, within the group of Rolling Stones album we've gotten so far, I like this a lot more than I do the strict "return to roots" blues rock of BEGGARS BANQUET. However, despite how much I find I like this material... I'unno. I'm still being held back from finding it all that incredible. It's great rock music, sure. But is it better, as a whole, than STICKY FINGERS? Or, why not, SGT. PEPPER'S? Legit, I do think the problem is that I didn't pick out any particular hits. As good as the material here is, and as well as it's played, I don't think I really heard that one song that would keep me wanting to come back for me. That's something I feel is cruisical, y'know? Even if it's just one song, a really good album — the best in a band's discography, even — should have that one song that makes you jolt your head up like, "Ooo! Listen to **that**!" STICKY FINGERS has those in the form of "I Got The Blues" and the aforementioned "Dead Flowers", not to mention the actual hits "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses". Meanwhile, on EXILE, I'd be hard-pressed to pick out any particular song. It all operated on such a nearly flat plain of "Yeah, it's good; I like this" that I barely noticed when one song ended and another began. This isn't exactly a glowing endorsement of the album here, I'm aware of that; I wanna stress again that I think it's great, even... But **the best**? Maybe if it'd been trimmed a little. I'm not sure if it **really** needed to be two discs — and ain't that the death knell for a double album, eh? But for real, maybe if the album had been tightened up some of these songs could have stood out a little more and I'd be more willing to cop to the consensus. But, y'know, I actually dislike making reviews so much about the consensus or others' opinions. So even though it provided me with a framework to talk about this album, let's put it aside as we wind down. I'll emphasize one more time, I did enjoy this album. When it got its gospel tinge on, or when it went a little country, I was all for it. When it was more straightforward rock, it was— it was fine. Good as any good rock music should be. It's just not one I'd be clamoring to revisit too soon, unlike STICKY FINGERS or the one I'm really looking forward to, LET IT BLEED. Still, though, I wouldn't give it less than a 4. It's a 4 that's less enthusiastic than usual, but a 4 nonetheless. At worst, it just doesn't get me too much closer to understanding why exactly the Stones could be such a critical darling. (And for real — the 2012 RS500 had this **how many spots** above **ABBEY ROAD**? I would never, goodness.)
Pretty good offering from the Stones on this double album set. 4.5 bumped down to 4.
I’m at another 10 – that was a fantastic album. Nobody told me the Rolling Stones were like this, you know? This is the third time we've gotten them, and they get better every time for me. To say “70s rock band” feels like an understatement – it’s obviously the easiest way to describe them, but this album is just a wonderful blend of rock, country, blues, soul, and a lot of other genres with the right amount of guitar flair and heavier percussion to mold them into something that Mick Jagger could just glide on vocally, and for the rest of the band to work in a harmony that’s kind of indescribable. I could type a lot of things that sound similar to what I wrote yesterday, when we got Sgt. Pepper’s, but I don’t want to tread on the same stuff – it all feels like a buzzword to me right now. It’s critic speak, and I don’t want to engage in that when the album just evoked something in the soul for me that feels hard to put into words. This feels like the type of album that was made for me, as a sort of endgame to all the Gram Parsons-driven country/rock hybrid albums we’ve been getting for the last 417 days, and I think it’s the best of them. Hell, when this blends with harmonica & sax to bring in a poppier vibe that evokes Stevie Wonder and others, it gets even better. I’m sure someone else has the words for this – I don’t. I can only encourage other people to find the same zen state I did, because there is nothing like it. For someone else, it might just be “overrated ragtime/rock/blues/country that Mick Jagger sort of yells over”, and that’s fair enough – for me, it’s just that easy to find the rhythm and feel as in harmony with the band, more so than on any of the other albums from the Stones that we’ve gotten so far. It’s not a flawless album – there are lull spots, and one egregious use of the N word, but I understand why this is called the best Rolling Stones album by some people, and why the magazine gave it that much praise. I think it’s that damn good, and it’s a 10. P.S.: “Stop Breaking Down” is a perfect track with headphones in. I will not hear otherwise.
Don't understand the hype behind this band, first time listener and it was alright. Growing up you hear a bunch of names thrown around of all time greatest bands, and the rolling stones are consistently among the highest ranked. With this album and sound, I just couldn't see it, its good, but not great sounding to me.
Pleasant enough listen. The album seems to start with its Hard Rock bangers and then proceeds to transition into more Country-esque songs. There are some nice tracks on here but I find Rolling Stones albums to be really lacking without their hits. It feels (and sort of is) more of a compilation of non single and non album tracks from the past years. Nice to listen to but god knows how this ever came to be one of the best albums of all time.
Grimy, gritty and glorious – such exquisitely trashy country blues. And like all the best records, this scores high on the consistent mood and tone spectrum. The only quibble would be that there are at least a few songs ("Rip This Joint," "Turd,""See His Face," "Soul Survivor") that mighta been dropped to boost the overall quality density. Everything else is first rate. "Tumbling Dice" has always been one of one's top Stones cuts and "Shine A Light" stand out as first among (many) excellent equals. The woozy, sax-drenched touches are great. It's entirely worthy of having a book written about it, in the 33 ⅓ series and elsewhere. The backstory sounds suspiciously like urban (or Cote d'Azur) folklore but the outputs are indisputably cool – they had a plan, seemed to stick to it despite all the infighting and so one gets a piece of essential rock listening, even if a case can be made it's the third-best Stones record (after Beggars Banquet and Let It Bleed).
Good vibe
I thought the recording process behind this album was interesting, and I liked the murky, dense, and unpolished feel of the sound. It gives the album a unique character compared to their more polished records. That said, The Rolling Stones have always felt like a pretty middle of the road band to me. They have some individual tracks I really like, but overall, they don’t stand out much.
Very messy, in a good fun way. Not filthy like sticky fingers. Not my favourite RS album but very enjoyable.
kinda incredible icl
Oldie but goldies
Finally had the chance to sit down and listen to this one. Was on a flight to Vegas for my roomates 21st birthday and this album perfectly matched that vibe. I do think that it could have been a single LP and packed a bit more punch (I.E Sticky Fingers), however for what its work there isn't a "bad" track on this whole thing and just for that alone it deserves the praise that it does get. 8/10
charming, yet forgettable
Good album! A lot of stuff sounded like the same song but it was groovy.
It’s exile.
I'm not quite a stones fan but this was quite good indeed
This is blissfully bluesy. It's also quite important.
Good mix of blues, country, rock and Gospel The highs are not too high, but the lows are not too low Trumpet is good Jagger singing sounds good, but always the same
This album is a real letdown after so many greater earlier albums. Not much variation in sound from song to song. Boring.
I was kind of bored.
Perfect Album.
Epochal pantheon record of dirty blues rock, backed up with numerous extraordinary songs.
I always forget just how bluesy The Rolling Stones are. It’s full on blues rock, and it really makes me want to do that Mick Jagger swingy hip dance. I remember as a teen, I thought that the grown ups were losers for liking bands like the Rolling Stones and the Beatles. In that loser now because this album was really fun and I enjoyed it from beginning to end. It’s a fairly long album too at 67 minutes, but I didn’t get bored at any point.
Pretty good for boomer rock. I agree with Ryan
I would give this a higher vote if I could understand the singer lol. I've always struggled to make out what the lead singer was mumbling.
I cant seem to get into The Rolling Stones. I dont know why, but their style of rock never really appealed to me.
It's okay! I don't have to love this just because people say this is the best rock band of all time. It's perfectly average to me, and I probably won't hear any of these songs again. They're not hits, and that's okay.
Great
Another that I knew. One of my favourite Stones albums. Probably at their best for me
Lots of soul, solid rock idk how I'd never heard of this album before, 8/10
I like some of the stones' songs but these ones don't do it for me. The horns are a nice touch tho
Roadhouse blues songs. Feels like they phoned in the album to appease their base.
An alright album, good background noise but wouldn’t choose to listen to it
Decent but not my favorite Stones album as its overly bluesy. I honestly think its a bit too long and boring at times. I like Sweet Virginia and Soul Survivor the most.
good old rolling stones
An hour of loose rock-n-roll jams. All the ingredients, blues, soul, and attitude.
A breath of fresh aid after all the prog rock and self-indulgent folk music on the list. I imagine people in the 70s welcomed it too. 'Tumbling Dice' is a good song. I liked 'Torn and Frayed' too.
I liked this more than the other Stones record I've encountered on this list, but overall it felt too long; there's only so much Rolling Stones I wanna listen to in a sitting. Tumbling Dice and Torn And Frayed stood out to me, and most of the rest was fine. 3 stars.
You can hear their Blues roots in this album, and you can hear a large variety of influences as well as those that they've influenced. Aside from that there's not really much to take from it. I didn't find it particularly exciting and although I won't say unenjoyable I will say a bit "samey". Mediocre for me.
Started really strongly and it's nice to have a solid, reliable band back on my playing. Lost a little excitement, perhaps not quite enough here to warrant a double and I don't see this as a masterpiece but the Stones are establishing themselves as a favourite band of mine on sheer volume of good stuff, even if I do find the albums a little filler heavy
Classic. Haven't listened to it in a long time, and I'm not a huge Rollings Stones fan, but definitely a good album. I am a big fan of Ventilator Blues though ;)
002.Exile On Main Street by The Rolling Stones -Felt like I was listening to a Local Rock Group playing the Beer Tent at the Spring Spit-in-your-eye festival. -The RS music that gets played on the Local Rock Station around here sounds more like it was built for Arena Settings vs this Town Hall Dance sound. _would buy if it was <$5 LP
One of my favorite albums ever. A magnificent, ragged sprawl in answer to the well-mannered smorgasbords other bands were making at the time. Death of the sixties dirty bomb. The bit from "Rocks Off" - the sunshine bores the daylights out of me - is one of the best lyrics in music. You may think this album is a mess, and you'd be right, but Three-Ball Charlie up on the cover knows what's up.
A classic. The Stones at the height of their powers.
I'm not sure what I was expecting out of this album but it exceeded my expectations slightly, at least. Especially surprised to find, given that this appears to be one of the Stones' better-known albums, that I don't recognize a single song from it.
This isn't really a review it's just a bunch of blabbing. This album was the soundtrack of my summer of 2006, and I had a damn fine summer that year. I mean it was okay. I'd been into the Stones' best of in high school, Goat's Head Soup in college, and this was another step in my Rolling Stones appreciation tour. Guess it would be the last because I never really listened to them intently afterward, nothing against the album, it's a great album covers a lot of ground. According to my last.fm, I've listened to it at least 30 times.
Many people misunderstand the crime of "cultural appropriation". The issue isn't "white people can't do things non-white people do". In a society where racism didn't exist, there would be nothing wrong with guys like Mick Jagger becoming millionaire celebrities by performing their own version of music pioneered by Black people. But we don't live in that world; ours places powerful barriers to Black people reaching the level of celebrity that White people are able to access. Perhaps things are better now than they were when the Rolling Stones started performing music (years before the Civil Rights Act was law in the US--i.e., when it was PERFECTLY LEGAL to OPENLY discriminate against people because of their race!), but even today too many talentless musicians make their careers by whitewashing art from other cultures, because the people who invented that art aren't allowed to do it themselves. You can't be a serious music fan and not recognize this shit, and you can't be a person of conscience and not be bothered by it. So with that being said: Exile is one of my problematic faves. I would be a cooler and better guy if I could rattle off a dozen blues albums that are more important than Exile on Main St., but I can't. And that's because I didn't grow up surrounded by the blues, but I absolutely grew up with the Stones on the hi-fi. This may be the last good record that the Rolling Stones recorded (and the 1001 album list seems to agree), but it's a fuckin banger.
More bluesy than I'd expected. Tumbling dice was the only song I recognized. Will listen again.
This has "Tumbling Dice" on it...which I would argue is the best song the Stones ever wrote. And it also has 17 other songs that are all...alright, I guess. Is this the Stones album I put on when I have the rare urge to listen to a Stones album? No, it is not. But I will put on Tumbling Dice.
Sen tyylistä rokkendaalia, että ei omaan makuun istu.
Sounds ok, still i hardly dig this band
Just listen to the short of Spotify: nothing new, just another annoying Stones lp. Drop
Decent stones album and I like the stones 7/10
Rolling Stones being Rolling Stones. Although this one is obviously special, because there's so much soul going on in this album, with a certain Blues twang they didn't often replicate. Lots of variety going on here too, with speaker blasting tunes like Rocks Off and more emotion driven tracks like Shine a Light. One of my all time favorite songs that I used to be obsessed with in HS, Tumbling Dice, just never gets old.
I wasn't familiar with this Rolling Stones album, and after listening to it I can see I wasn't missing much. It's bluesy and unpolished and kinda folksy with a gospel-rock vibe, and usually I'd dig an album like that, but this one just didn't connect with me. It's also much too long. By the 40 minute mark I was ready to be done, but then I would have missed Shine A Light, which is my favorite song from this one.
It was ok, but certainly not my favorite stones album. Songs were ok one at a time but not a lot of distinction. Basically an album of deep cuts. I think this appeals to the hardcore stones fan but I'm good with a greatest hits album and skipping the filler.
I’m not a huge Rolling Stones fan but every time I hear something by them I’m like “yeah I get it” a little more. It kinda sounds like a Bruce Springsteen album
Rocks off and Happy are the highlights for me.
I’d like to rate it 3.75 but rounded up because the songs that hit, hit very hard. But there’s way too many meh songs and the excellence of the good ones get washed out overall. Overall enjoyed it
Favorite stones album for sure, give me some blues all day
Absolute classic that defined their sound and pushed the needle forward
I've had this record for years, once played in a horn section in a song-by-song recreation of it. I see it as kind of an advanced class in the Stones. It's NOT a good first album you should hear of theirs, as so many of the tracks are just VIBE, and it's a double album with only a couple of hits. For a starter (non greatest hits) Stones album? '60s Stones: "Flowers". '70s Stones, maybe "Sticky Fingers", the one before this one. But, I mean "Tumblin' Dice" is one of the greatest rock songs of the '70s for sheer vibe, groove and hookiness. We generally don't love the Stones for their deep lyrics, let's just be clear about that. Sometimes they sneak in some good stuff ("Torn and Frayed") but their appeal isn't usually in the lyrics. "Happy", btw, is a hit as well, with Keith on lead vocals. I like the Stones, even after almost a decade of popularity and huge hits, manage to make this record sounds relaxed, like a bunch of friends hanging out at a cabin by a lake or something, just partying, making music, writing songs on the spot, making food, playing old blues records, philosophizing about whatever. Of course that's not the story whatsoever, with sessions happening in different studios in different cities, Keef not showing up and developing a raging heroin habit, etc., but as a straight-through listening experience it FEELS kind of like that... I'm fond of how "Loving Cup" turns into a New Orleans-style horn-and-piano freakout at the end. There, I said it. Loose-limbed, sprawling, rootsy, world-weary, it's a classic, but in the end I would shave off about 4-5 of the more meandering songs and make this a long-ish single album.
Take a sip from my Loving Cup!
Some great rock and roll classics on this one, but also some stuff that I just can’t get into.
I don't have any strong feelings about this album either way. I enjoyed it while I was listening to it, but once it was over, I couldn't really remember anything that stood out. It didn't sound like a 52 year old record, and the fact that the Stones are still an entity today is impressive.
The more albums that I'm listening to from The Rolling Stones, the more I'm becoming a fan. It's easy listening music, which can be both a pro and a con. There's nothing "exciting" in terms of their songs (at least from this album), but there's also not a lot of bad other than nit picks here and there. This is kind of a jam out record. Put it on, crack open a cold one, and sit on a rocking chair on the front porch on a summer night. That's the vibe.
Flows so well
Didn't expect this to be as good as it was. A very pleasant surprise.
STOP GIVING ME BOOMER ROCK!!!
very cozy, very enjoyed listening even though it's not my usual genre
Good, but very long.
Straight up blues record. I dig it. Hilarious that the background is them holed up in France, evading taxes and the album becomes this personal anthem to their own outlaw status. Also fascinating that this mostly grows out of hours-long jam sessions, many with other musicians sitting in too.
Yesterday I got to listen to Janis Joplin "Pearl." I'd never listened through the full album. I loved it. Today, I've gotten The Stones, "Exile On Main." I've done several Stones catalog dives, and this album is probably my favorite album. Maybe Let It Bleed. Regardless, it's nice to head back in to this double album. Sweet Virginia is such an incredible song. Mick's harmonica is so goddam emotive. And Charlie Watts remains one of my favorite drummers. And he *is* underrated. Got to scrape that shit right off your shoes.
I’d have to agree that this is probably the best Rolling Stones record. …and it’s not just because there’s a song called “Turd on the Run” on it, I swear.
First? 3,5 /5 Again? 2/5
Great album. Torn and Frayed, Loving Cup, and Shine a Light were all highlights for me.
5/5. A classic. I always avoided this album in the Rolling Stone discography because it felt so messy and misguided compared to their other straightforward albums. Upon relistening, a few years later, it's very clear this is just as clear cut as previous albums but with the guise of messiness and drugs (they might also have been on many of the latter still). Each song is just something you might hear in the basement of a seedy bar and yet experience something close to religious ecstasy along with Mick and the gang. Thankfully with this record you'll still be able to find your way home the next day. Best Song: Tumbling Dice, Rocks Off, Shine A Light
So honky tonk! Mick's fake southern drawl!
actual classic rock and roll is not something i ever listen to anymore. when i was younger and developing my own music taste i listened to the rolling stones but to be honest, i've grown out of them. it’s good just not something i’d choose to listen to on my own.
Most solid Rolling Stones album I've heard until now. No duds, but also no hits. It achieves the perfect blend of enjoyable and unobtrusive, meaning that it fades into the background easily enough without ever becoming boring. That's why I can forgive the running time of over an hour. Nevertheless, I won't take away any lasting impression and would have preferred a more hit or miss album.
I was surprised to see that this renowned album doesn't have any of the Stone's big hits, but from the get go this album is an absolute riot. Between the variety of US influences and the production with Jagger's vocals low in the mix battling with the instruments, it made me feel like I was in a small venue in New Orleans with the band packed onto a tiny stage, and having a blast. I love how different members of the band take center stage on different tracks. If I'm being picky I'd drop a couple of tracks, and use that time to extend a few tracks that fade out to give them time to wrap up properly, but it's still a definite 5/5.
3/5
Some of the best Stones songs I’ve heard but ultimately it all started bleeding together. Way too long
rolling stones
A worthy successor to Sticky Fingers
sehr energetisch und roh und schwitzig
2.5
just what i'd want out of rock and roll album. really good energy and rock? idk its a good album thats all that matters
i liked the jazzier songs
I'm actually not sure I know too much about this album despite having listened to a decent amount of the Stones. Post listen, this album is a bit all over the place just in a general musical sense. There's soul, blues, and plenty of country influence in their rock here. While that SOUNDS versatile, it tends to get a bit boggy and repetitive here. There are a few gems here ("Tumbling Dice", "Happy"), but none of the massive singles that I was expecting. I guess this is the result you get after a manic recording process (plenty of drugs, tax evasion and the lot).
This is not my favourite Rolling Stones album, but it is very decent with good songwriting.
The Rolling Stones hebben ontzettend veel goede nummers, maar niet echt veel albums die in z'n geheel zeer goed zijn imo. Exile On Main Street is hier een uitzondering van. Lang album, dat wel, maar wel veel goede nummers (al staan ze ook wel bijna allemaal op de eerste plaat). 3.9
It's... fine? There are no songs I care much about on here, but this is substantially better than the two Stones albums I gave a 2. Between how bad G. Love was yesterday and the improvement over the other albums I'll round this 2.5 up to 3. The title is kinda cool in a means nothing so sorta actually kinda dumb way. The album is unimpressive. music: hated. (⌐■_■)
This is one of the good ones, that’s for sure. How many good ones are there? I don’t know. But I’m sure they’re all on this list and then some. One thing I was struck by here: the coolest thing about this album was the horns. I wonder which of the Stones played the horns? I wonder if there’s some pattern here, re: the best parts of the best Stones material.
Not my favorite stones album but still good, easy to listen to
Superb album. Confident, mature, and just awesome.
Some good tracks on the album but not my favourite.
1.81
Bluesy rock and roll. A very Americana sound for a British band. Not what I think of when I think about the Stones but enjoyed it a lot
Confirms my suspicion that the Stones are actually at their best when not playing rock music. I like the bluesy and country vibes on this album. Standout track is “Sweet Virginia”
Enjoyed this but I don’t feel this is the Stone’s best album. The remastered version is less muddy than I remember though.
A good amount of stone cold classics on this. I tend to prefer the songs that are more musical than the looser, yell-y songs on this. Basically when Mick Jagger sounds like he's singing rather than yelling I am very on board.
I did enjoy this. I was surprised to find that for such an iconic album, I knew none of the tracks!
The best ever Stones album. Which is saying something.
The two singles, Tumbling Dice and Happy, truly are two standout songs on this album. Happy has Keith Richards on vocals, a change up I always appreciate. A song called I Just Want to See His Face has another change up: a positive reference to…Jesus? Am I hearing that right? I’m only at 4 stars because I’m not a huge Stones fan to begin with but it’s a solid album that deserves its reputation as one of, if not their very best.
The Rolling Stones seem to find a consistent groove on this LP as they play their way through blues, rock, and country inspired cuts. It’s a solid project that has some toe tappers, but I really didn’t feel deeply connected to much of what I listened to here. A little disappointing considering the group itself is so heralded.
Was ok as background music and wasn't as bad as the most famous songs.
Not their best
The Rolling Stones are kind of anomalous to me. I know that they're one of the most popular music artists of all time, but I've heard absolutely nothing about them. I've crossed paths with all of the other artists that Wikipedia considers to be the most commercially successful, but still haven't heard a positive word about the Stones despite their music vaguely being within my sphere of interest. Let It Bleed was insultingly bad to me with how inauthentic the pseudo-American vocals were. This albums is a massive step up simply due to not being that, but I'm still not sold on this band. All of the songs blend together, and the vocals are pretty subpar across the board.
Good, but when they start getting into more of the piano ballads, I start to lose interest. Just feels like those songs drag. But still a good album
American country western inspired British blues/Chicago blues inspired Top Mick Jagger performances Great groove based performances Tumbling Dice Sweet Virginia 7/10
Oh yeah. Good jam time record you know. To quote from the apple music editorial description - "More than songs or performances, 1972’s Exile on Main St. was about mood." I could imagine myself putting this album on again in the background but not a big intentional listen for me and no real standout tracks for a playlist. Notably Tumbling Dice is one of the only songs on the apple music version of the "This Is Rolling Stones" playlist. Just not a lot of standout songs on here imo but a pleasant listen. 6.5? 7? 6? Who cares.
Widely considered the Stones best work. I liked a few songs. I guess I’m just not a Stones person. Still a great album.
Fun and bluesy at times, some sections sound messy to me though
Need to finish but very much enjoyed the first half that I listened to. Not something I would listen to every day but very enjoyable.
Fine album, don't really like the Stones that much, but it was a fine listen. More bluesy than I expected.
Another great Rolling Stones album. It's neat to see how they've grown as a band from the first album and how much the instrumentals have gotten better. That being said the album is pretty long even if it is consistent.
I think this album defined their sound for the remainder of their career. My five favorite Rolling Stones albums all predated this one, but I still think Exile is genius and it deserves no less than five stars. I could listen to Sweet Black Angel all day long.
A rare 5/5 album. THE album from THE Rock n roll band
9.7/10.
Classic album.
Some classics in there. Almost a 5.
Some great. Some good. Some meh. Seems like old Rolling Stones doesn't connect much with me, but it's still...not bad.
It feels like riding down a raft on the river of rock and roll - even the bumpy parts are fun!
top
Other than sweet black angle, the whole thing sounded like 1 song, start to finish. No good hooks. Good piano on Let it Loose, reminiscent of The Office theme song.
I’m not a huge stones fan, and not much of a blues rock fan either, but there were a few familiar songs on this album and some unfamiliar tracks that I liked.
What’s not to like about the Stones.
I liked it. Had some hits and catchy tunes.
Före: Ha aldrig lyssna på rolling stones förutom deras hits, så ja vet ungefär hur dom låter Efter: inge speciell blues rock, lite bleh
Easy to listen to. Would do it again. Rock is always fine...
Solid rockplatta, inget extraordinärt. 6/10
1.Sweet Virginia 2.Shine a light 3.Rocks Off Beautiful album, glad to have it discovered. Doesn't sound like a 1972 work
There’s not a single stinker on the entire album. Just a really consistent showing of peak Stones blues rock, including several of their best tunes. 4.5/5
I can appreciate the album for the music, but I've never been a fan of Jagger...
Lots of fun.
I don’t like the Stones as much as I often think I do. This is supposedly their best, but it’s quite hit or miss for me. It starts off strong, but by track 2 I’m usually annoyed enough to turn it off. After forcing myself to listen to it as a whole, and while there are a couple of other songs that I like here (Tumbling Dice is awesome), I wasn’t missing a whole lot by not listening to the whole thing before. I’m still baffled by these Brits playing shitty versions of American blues music and getting away with it for several albums in the 60s and 70s. Not to mention the way Mick is singing throughout. It’s like when Dylan tried to sing with a different voice on Nashville Skyline. Like, okay, sure but why? You sound obnoxious. Knock it off! It just doesn’t resonate with me. How is this supposedly better than Sticky Fingers?
Got some good stuff on here. also has some not so good stuff. But still worth the listen!
3 words. It's The Stones!
Do not love, do not hate. The Stones rarely stink my imagination for some reason.
Exquisite
Although a good album, people say it their best work. I feel the stones are overated and after their blues early days have only made a few good songs although they have released 20 albums. They are like the british aerosmith in terms of career. Great at the beginning, some really crapp y stuff, a few good hits 20 years after, a lot of crap after those few hits. They are really good live and they ha e great energy, but the music overall is meh. This is one of the best albums but I dont think its the best.
This was so electric and full of life. Will be revisiting.
A few cool songs, but honestly way too much meat and potatoes old school rock and roll. Why this album is so highly regarded is beyond me. You Can’t Always Get What You Want, Paint it Black, and Sympathy for the Devil are just a few songs that are miles better and came out before.
Maybe three good songs on this.
nah
Just enjoyed all round
A collection of classics!
exciting classic
Yup okay it's Exile on Main Street I guess.
Loving Cup es una gran canción. La añadí a mis me gusta. Algun que otro tema me pareció interesante (Shine a Light). Por lo demás me encontré deseando que termine. No puedo estar más aburrido del blues y eso que voy escuchando poco.
Very good and interesting tracks at the beginning and the end of the album. Very experimental and quite challenging even today. However the middle part is a bit mediocre. It seems to be a more classic Stones sound. Not bad, but also not great. Overall I loved that loose sound, but the album sounded not that coherent to me. It might grow though.
Never been the biggest Stones fan, this was just okay for me. I appreciate and acknowledge the influence they have had on the Rock world, but this album feels played out and bogged down by today's standards
Et af de sjældne albums, der er bedre end de enkelte numre. Ingen af Rolling Stones’ største numre er på denne, men albummet er vildt godt sat sammen. Lidt forud for sin tid, en håndfuld numre kunne godt være blevet lavet af Bruce Springsteen. Et engelsk band har aldrig lydt så amerikansk (kompliment)
De fleste gode Rolling Stones plader har et par kæmpe bangers men er ellers meget svingende kvalitet, den her er faktisk god hele vejen igennem (men måske stadig lidt for lang). Stor 4er
General quality was great - Nothing stuck out as being amazing though.
Solid, classic.
I had high hopes, but this thing is way too long with a noticeable lack of hooks. Disappointed.
Was good without actually having anything jump out at me
didnt like, not sure what all the fuss is about
Not their best in my eyes. Solid for an hour, but there also aren’t many songs that stand out.
The Rolling Stones are a great rock and roll band. Many American music genres, including blues, country, and gospel influence their music. This record contains it all—one of my favorites.
Not my liking. Too slow.
As I’ve mentioned before I was never a big Stones fan and this album typifies why. Great musicianship throughout but after a while I become bored at the same sounding blues which is the Stones’ trademark sound. I do like one or two Stones tracks which are probably their most popular and famous but none of them are on here. Tumbling Dice is perhaps their best known song on this album. It says it all when I say that it is the best track on the album but still one I dislike. 2/5 20/12/24
One of my least listened to stones records but I really enjoyed! Heaps of influence from Southern blues - banging
Love the Stones but I think the hype caused me to be a little disappointed in this one. I’ve listened a long time ago and it’s a good album but doesn’t seem all that special. Good tunes and very typical that you can tell their influences (in a good way). Probably 3.5 but I’ll give them the benefit of the doubt
A masterpiece. Most regard this as the Stones best record. I'm not sure on that but if I could only keep one Stones record it would be this one because of the depth and breadth of it
A pretty enjoyable disc 1, but good lord above does disc 2 feel like treading water. Happy and Shine a Light are good, but that's about all I can remember; side C was genuinely a blur for me. If I could split the scores, I'd give disc 1 a 4/5 and disc 2 a 2/5, so I guess that evens out to a 3. Maybe if I break up the discs on a relisten, it'll go down easier, but for now, this just felt like too much of the same thing. I'm already rather lukewarm on the Stones, and having to listen to over an hour of their material was a lot to ask-- that being said, I did genuinely warm up to them after the first couple songs, before, again, tanking.
The greatest rock n roll album of all time
Oh gosh, another Stones album. Pretentious bullcrap.
This is a much more bluesy attempt from the Rolling Stones who do a great job of mixing it into their classic style.
As exciting as speedrunning time management games
I've tried to listen to this 7 times but each time I have turned it off before the first song was over Aggressively uninteresting and somewhat befouling the soul
One of my favourite albums of all time. Probably the best double album on this list. It just keeps giving, song after song. When you think you know it go back and look at the lyrics, so rich and clever, more that you expected from some rock and roll tunes.
Blues-y as hell. "Loving Cup" probably my favorite out of the bunch.
Couldn’t really make out the lyrics but good distinct tunes.
Standard, classic and falling exactly where RS music generally hits me.
The Good: album #199 on the list is my first The Rolling Stones album to listen to, and that made me excited! The Bad: that it wasn’t Goats Head Soup The Ugly: me realizing that I should have listened more critically to this album decades ago… Funny how time changes tastes. When going through a phase of listening to all albums in a bands repertoire several years ago, I did not understand why this album is considered one of the greatest rock and roll albums period. Today, I am still a bigger fan of Goats Head Soup, but I really enjoyed the listening experience and will keep enjoying it for days/weeks/months to come Just not certain if I can give it 5*…. but 4 1/2* for certain!
its cool music, but its too old for me.
I don't think I've ever heard something this groovy before. First half was incredible, definitely slowed down towards the end. If it was just the first half it would be an easy 5, but I was pretty bored with a lot of the later songs. Fav Songs: Shake Your Hips, Sweet Virginia, Loving Cup
Never listened to a full album Of the Rolling Stones so was a good experience
Feels important, lyrics not so much my style. 7/10
Amo este álbum de los Rolling.
A sloppy country blues rock record that never seems to go anywhere. One of the most boring albums I’ve ever heard.
Very good.
For me this is the greatest Stones record. It's long, and the sameness has been cited as a negative. But I see differently. This is just a complete work that accomplished everything the band set out to do. I have sentimental attachment to Beggars Banquet but even I can admit that this is peak Stones
The best Stones album, for me. More grit, I suspect as Keith had more input with the recording in the basement of his (then) chateau.
Probably the best album I've been sent so far, the other truly great one was Dylan's Bringing It All Back Home. From the opening of Rocks Off to the ending of Soul Survivor there's a lot to love. Side two is the best of the four, I still think of this as a double album. It's hard to beat Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Sweet Black Angel and Loving Cup as a side of any record, not just one by the Stones. Supposedly panned by the critics on release, Exile has stood the test of time. 5 Stars probably isn't enough.
I actually really enjoyed this album, which had a lot of "good album" qualities that made it flow well. I think I will revisit it later.
Hey, these guys are pretty good! I especially liked the first track, Rocks Off, with it's sort of ragtime piano and horns.
## Overview of *Exile on Main Street* *Exile on Main Street*, released in 1972, is often hailed as one of The Rolling Stones' crowning achievements and a landmark in rock music. The album was recorded during a tumultuous period for the band, primarily at a villa in France while they were in tax exile from the UK. This setting contributed to the album's raw and unpolished sound, which has been both praised and criticized over the years. ## Lyrics The lyrics of *Exile on Main Street* reflect themes of disillusionment, hedonism, and the complexities of life. They often feature a stream-of-consciousness style that can be cryptic and abstract. For instance: - **"Tumbling Dice"** explores themes of gambling and chance, paralleling the unpredictable nature of relationships. - **"Sweet Virginia"** offers a nostalgic look at simpler times, juxtaposed with the chaos surrounding the band. - **"Shine a Light"** serves as an introspective plea for redemption amidst personal turmoil. Mick Jagger's delivery often obscures clarity, leading to mixed interpretations of the lyrics. Critics have noted that while some lines resonate deeply, others feel clichéd or lack substance, contributing to a perception of inconsistency in lyrical quality[1][2]. ## Music and Production Musically, *Exile on Main Street* is a melting pot of genres, including rock, blues, country, and gospel. The album features: - **Raw Sound**: The production is characterized by a murky mix where vocals are frequently buried beneath layers of instrumentation. This has led to critiques regarding its overall clarity and coherence[2][4]. - **Instrumentation**: The album employs an array of instruments beyond traditional rock setups, including horns and pianos. This eclecticism is evident in tracks like "Rocks Off" and "Shake Your Hips," which showcase a vibrant blend of sounds[1][3]. - **Collaborative Spirit**: Many songs feature contributions from various musicians who were present during recording sessions. This approach resulted in a loose and spontaneous feel but also raised questions about band cohesion and integrity[2]. The production by Jimmy Miller is notable for its intention to capture the essence of live performance rather than polished studio perfection. While some listeners appreciate this rawness as authentic, others find it detracts from the listening experience[1][2]. ## Themes Thematically, *Exile on Main Street* delves into: - **Disillusionment**: Reflecting the band's struggles with fame and personal issues, many songs convey a sense of searching for meaning amid chaos. - **Hedonism**: The album captures the excesses of rock 'n' roll lifestyle—parties, drugs, and fleeting pleasures are recurrent motifs. - **Redemption**: Tracks like "Shine a Light" hint at yearning for salvation or clarity against a backdrop of confusion and despair. These themes resonate with listeners who appreciate the album's authenticity and emotional depth, while others may view them as repetitive or lacking nuance[3][4]. ## Influence *Exile on Main Street* has had a lasting impact on rock music and culture. Its influence can be seen in: - **Subsequent Rock Albums**: Many artists cite it as an inspiration for their work due to its genre-blending approach and raw sound. - **Cultural Legacy**: The album has become emblematic of the 1970s rock scene, representing both the highs and lows of that era. - **Critical Acclaim**: Frequently appearing on lists of greatest albums ever made, it has cemented its place in music history as a defining work for The Rolling Stones. The album's legacy continues to inspire new generations of musicians who admire its unrefined authenticity and emotional complexity[4][5]. ## Pros and Cons ### Pros - **Eclectic Sound**: The diverse musical styles showcased throughout the album appeal to a wide range of listeners. - **Authenticity**: Its raw production captures the essence of live rock performances, offering an immersive experience. - **Cultural Significance**: Recognized as one of the greatest albums in rock history, it has influenced countless artists across genres. ### Cons - **Murky Production**: The lack of clarity in mixing can detract from individual performances and lyrical comprehension. - **Inconsistent Quality**: Some tracks are perceived as filler or lacking depth compared to standout songs. - **Lengthy Format**: At 18 tracks over two discs, some listeners feel that it could benefit from tighter editing to enhance overall impact[1][2][3]. ## Conclusion *Exile on Main Street* remains a polarizing yet undeniably significant work in The Rolling Stones' discography. Its blend of raw emotion, diverse musical influences, and thematic depth makes it both a celebrated masterpiece and a subject of critique. While some listeners revel in its chaotic charm and authenticity, others struggle with its production choices and lyrical vagueness. Ultimately, it stands as a testament to the band's artistic journey during one of their most tumultuous periods.
For me it's the classic documentation of Rolling Stone's French phase
Definitely a much more put-together and slick sounding Stones than albums I've heard before. It's a little messy but I think that adds to the fun - there's a raw, energetic atmosphere to the whole album and really it's a vibe you just want to stay with for hours. Can see this growing on me even more. Best Track: Tumbling Dice Worst Track: Rip This Joint
Best Song: Sweet Virginia Worst Song: I just want to see his face
Good album, I hear the blues throughout and that's neither a good nor a bad thing, it's just a thing that I felt like sharing.
Good bluesy rock and roll.
Is this the same song being played for an hour and a bit? Never did really “get” The Stones to be honest. OK they did some great tunes but not on this album!
Erittäin perinteistä rokkia. Tuntui osalta itseään toistavalta, mutta ei siinä sillain mitään vikaa ollut. Muutamat hitaammat kappaleet erottui joukosta edukseen. Jos vois niin kaks ja puol mutta pyöristetään nyt ylös päin.
Great!
Proves to me the Stones always were mid. They were perfectly mediocre. This was an okay album but nothing special or innovative.
Have heard before many times still a really great album but prefer sticky fingers
Superb
Some good tracks but not my favourite stones album by far
Not bad, lots of classic Stones music. I've just heard it so much and it is such a part of pop culture that I don't need to hear it anymore. It's great but I will hear it just by living in our current society. Once again, no complaints about the music, it's good. It's just overplayed everywhere.
Why does this have to be a double album? I just don't get rolling stones. It's just a bunch of drunks playing mediocre blues. maybe I'm missing something
Very standard and quite long
7/10
I won't go track by track but opener Rocks Off is a good start, an energetic rocker with the saxophone featuring prominently. We have sax in the second song too, and fast piano, this pulls more from 50s rock and roll than from country or blues. But then Shake Your Hips sounds very bluesy in an experimental way, the clipped rhythm guitar plugging along. Tumbling Dice is the biggest song here, although it's not one of their massive hits, followed by Sweet Virginia and its Dylan esque harmonica. Then Torn and Frayed sounds like a proto Sweet Home Alabama. We're covering a lot of ground here and it's still the first half. Oh yes, this album is 67 minutes long too. A second half highlight is Let It Loose, quite different from the rest. A gospel influenced ballad with a memorable melody. An unlikely favorite for me off the record. In a similar vein I also like Shine a Light, which features a great guitar solo too. There's a lot of songs and a lot to unpack here. I really think it's an achievement and there's tons of depth here to absorb. I'm just stuck at **** because it doesn't all resonate with me yet.
One of the best Stones albums - a step down from Beggars Banquet and Let it Bleed but still pretty great.
Quite a bluesy album from the Stones, I liked this one
Great album, a couple filler songs but other then that I really enjoyed it
Wow this album is long. Don't get me wrong, I love The Rolling Stones, but fuck me, over an hour? I had to listen to this in two chunks. Maybe I'm a normie Rolling Stones fan, but where are the HITS. Again, another album where a lot of the songs sound the same, they could have easily cut this thing in half and it'd be much more listenable in one piece. Still, good music on here, it just gets very tired after the half way point. Definitely taking songs out of here for my playlists, but I'm rating the album as a whole sit through listen, so I can't rate it too favourably based on that.
Man, for something lauded as their 'best work' and 'a culmination of a string of the band's highly critically successful albums', I was hoping for a little more than what ended up feeling like a demoralizingly long and repetitive set of British folks getting through a country blues binge. Not the worst performances from them or anything but I felt like I had heard all there was to hear less than halfway through. It really started to bother me by the end
Pretty groovy and fun album overall. But it did run its course with a lull towards the end Highlights - Rocks off, Rip this joint, sweet Virginia, ventilator blues Lowlights - casino boogie, tumbling dice