Exile On Main Street

I honestly don't mind the Stones for the most part, definitely classic rip off black people boomer rock - I don't think I'd ever have gone out of my way to listen to a whole album though. The biggest issue here is how samey this shit is. Listening to Rocks Off I was kinda excited to get into this, but by halfway through an album of borderline sonically identical, formulaic shit, I was begging for it to be done. By the time it got to the final track I was so happy to be done with this. Good god this did not need to be over an hour. Pick out any track on this album and I would struggle to hum the tune. It just turns into white noise after the 20 minute mark, which sadly is only a third of the way through this.

Not as good on a re-listen The quintessential album for born late in the generation boomer who had kids at a really young age. This album is not the first of any of its respective genres but its some of the best showing in them. 9/10 Fav tracks - All of 'em

Rocks Off is a lively introduction to the album, you would hope so after seeing this is a double LP, so you better hope this album can be this engaging for all 70 minutes. A solid opener. Rip This Joint is a fun rockabilly track, not a particularly memorable one and not quite my taste. Shake Your Hips made me think something is up with this album production-wise, and yes it turns out that this album was recorded over a number of years in different studios because it really shows as you go from song to song. The production value/musical style seems to vary quite a bit on this album and I suppose that's an artistic choice but not necessarily one that I know if I like. A serviceable song, nothing much else to say about it. Casino Boogie has some great horns on it, but is definitely one of those songs where I think "is Mick Jagger racist for basically doing blackface with his voice?" Tumbling Dice is one of two songs from this album I knew beforehand and it's fantastic. Classic weird ass Jagger vocals that I can barely understand the lyrics through, backing vocals hitting at the right time, I can picture Keith Richards laying down the guitar track while nodding off. Banger. Sweet Virginia is a return to the more downbeat, lo-fi parts of this album. It was at this point I decided to look up when the Stones kicked their drug habit (at least Jagger) and discovered that the recording of this album was basically a sideshow to the drug cyclone of which Keith Richards was the eye. It definitely shows! Torn And Frayed is a fine song, there really isn't much to say. The honky tonk/keyboard track as well as the backing vocals really makes me think the stones were quite fond of Songs From The Big Pink. Sweet Black Angel has a sweet percussion track, GOOD harmonica unlike a certain folk artist who is a contemporary of the Stones. It was somewhere the start of this track and the end of the next one where this album really clicked for me. Loving Cup closes out the second side of the first disk well, this song brings it all together and its good to see that though I had my doubts about the pastiche of production value and styles here that it came together quite well. Happy is sung by Keith Richards and he gets to show off that just because his body is a garbage disposal for schedule 2 drugs, does not mean that his voice has gone to shit (yet)! You have an album with this many songs on it, you're eventually going to have a name for a song as stupid as Turd On The Run. This song is fine, it sounds much like a few of the more forgettable songs on the first disk. Ventilator Blues feels like a rusty hand-cranked hurdy gurdy, its probably the grimiest and most lowdown track on either disk here and definitely a high point. I Just Want To See His Face has some really great keyboard work that goes well with the scatting lead vocals (going to assume it's scatting cause I can't understand anything he's saying) and backing vocals here. The smooth fading intro from the last song here works really well, and the drum track provides nice bookends. I am never going to be able to listen to Let It Loose without thinking of Jack Nicholson beating the shit out of Leonardo DiCaprio while he yells "I'm naht a fahkin cawp". This song fuckin rocks especially cause it makes me think of Jack Nicholson's way over the top performance in The Departed. Especially that one line in his opening monologue. You know the one. The last side of this album is alright, a lot less remarkable than the other sides with the exception of Shine A Light which stands out as probably my second favourite song on this album behind Let It Loose. Soul Survivor is a good closer but I will say after a few listens, each time I did feel kind of blues'ed-out by a full listen of this whole thing. This album is good, I certainly don't think that it deserves the EXTREMELY high praise that it has received. I think maybe the fact that this was recorded in such a tumultuous period, the return to a more 'basic' sound versus their previous albums, and the mythology surrounding the culture of the band and all the guests that visited them in this period probably contributed more to the band's favourable reception than the actual musical merit here. The Rolling Stones are the embodiment of the old saying "Good artists copy, great artists steal", this album is a bunch of university educated Br*tish toffs stealing tunes from starving black American artists. But at least they're honest about it unlike Led Zeppelin. Highlights: Sweet Black Angel, Ventilator Blues, I Just Want To See His Face, Ventilator Blues, Let It Loose, Shine A Light https://youtu.be/u5AuLTra3t8?si=whBm8Ha_L1MddB7i&t=53

Very solid rock & roll & blues album: great energy and pretty consistent sound while also exploring the subtleties of different rock flavors. Great interaction between the instruments here. The band works so well together, they don’t show off or try to impress and none really stand above the rest, they all just play the right parts together. Could probably cut a few tracks but there isn’t really bad material, just some that isn’t as good as the rest. The album starts phenomenally and has some excellent tracks in the middle, but I lose a little attention room towards the back-middle and end.

Some really great songs but gets bogged down by some less forgettable ones. I wanted to love this one too :(

The blues and rock n roll as done by a bunch of British guys. Fine I guess.

Exile on Main Street is the tenth studio album, and the first double album from the Rolling Stones. They were literal exiles at the time, in a sense; they recorded the album while in "tax exile," which the band spend in the south of France. While holed up in a mansion, in what was described as a months-long party. the Stones recorded these songs on rudimentary equipment, while likely excessively inebriated. The result is raw, edgy, and in some way, perfect. At the time, the critical reception was lukewarm, at best. Over time, the album's repute has improved considerably: Exile on Main Street is regarded as one of the greatest albums - rock or otherwise - ever recorded. This is the Stones at the height of their confidence - bluesy and rebellious - with Richard's catchy guitar riffs and Jagger's brash swagger. The album does not contain any of the bands' biggest hits, but is still regarded as their best work because of the strength and range of this set of songs. This is an incredible collection, recorded as the Stones were becoming the greatest rock and roll band in the world.

I think, so far, this is the best album by The Rolling Stones on this list (and there has been 5 or 6 in total). None of the songs is a hit or a popular track, but the 70 minutes long record is very solid and equally good from start to finish. Blues sound, a bit of rock or even rock'n'roll, pretty good vocal, some nice guitar solos. Definitely it stands out in the band's discography. Quite pleasant surprise.

Rocking, the baby liked it too

Not for the Start Me Up RS crowd. The culmination of maybe the greatest 5-year four album run. Quite simply a Masterpiece. Every song flows together so well. No just a collection of great music. It’s amazing how all these different genres work as one.

Its the Stones, pretty good!

Great album but but my favorite of the Stones

I went back and forth on this one as their honky tonk ramblings don't usually grab me. However, this album is different and it's great all the way through. For the record, I don't think it's as good as Liz Phair's Exile in Guyville. But watching a performance by Phish covering the whole album opened my eyes to how solid it really is. And Happy, Tumbling Dice, and Sweet Virginia are so good. Also love Loving Cup.

wait do i like the rolling stones? 3.5

This was a very 'soulful' type of rock and roll album. I enjoyed it quite a lot!

Good stuff. Biggest result of this all is that I now like the Stones.

So good, no notes.

I was pretty apathetic my first listen which has tended to happen with the Stones. However, the bonus tracks were great and made me relisten thru the main album and it clicked a lot more on the second run through. Still not my favorite of theirs but a fun listen regardless. Rating: 4.1

It’s a fun sound, but it’s long and most of the tracks sound very similar.

It was okay.

Great band, yes I know, but the album is pretty mediocre imo.

Pretty average and very American.

I love the rolling stones, no mistake.

I didn't have time to listen to the whole thing, and tbh a lot of it kinda blended together with no big standouts. This was my third Stones album already on this list and the latest one yet, 1972 (prev 1968 and 1966). The tracks mostly sounded like classic examples of their fav genres- blues, boogie woogie, rock n roll. Appreciated the tracks with brass and backup vocals the most. 2.9/5

It is a very solid album from front to back, but there isn't a single song on it that really jumps out to me. It's just consistently very strong.

I'm all over the map on this one. I've never listened to this album in full, and I knew it was iconic so I had high expectations. At times, it met them.

2.5

Exile On Main Street is possibly the Stone’s most consistently good album. It’s also arguably their greatest artistic statement, an elegiac take on their signature heavy Blues Rock sound that was by the time of recording, being replaced in the mainstream by early Heavy Metal, Glam Rock and Bubblegum Pop, that is nonetheless full of life, beauty and humour. The point that it’s their most consistent album is, I think, the most interesting part of the album’s reputation. It has less classic songs than the preceding three albums, I’m not sure I’ve ever heard an Exile song out in the wild, but the quality of the songs on here is all top-notch, fun and loose Blue jams with a good smattering of acoustic and R&B tracks. I’ve made it clear that I prefer consistency over greatness, writing one great song is easy, writing a consistently good album is the sign of a true great. And Exile is the capstone of the tetralogy of great albums the band released in the late 60’s and early 70’s, a monumental, twisted work, dedicated to sex, sin, and soul

I can't really add anything to the conversation on this beast. But it's quite better than a 4.

epic

Some cool gospel influences and despite the song variety, holds together nicely

It's mad that the 'best Stones album' contains zero tracks that I have ever heard before. I can't help feeling 'best' here is a title given by people trying very hard to be 'cool'.

Overall a good album, and interesting none of the big hits were on here. They really have a good rock, folk, and roll vibe. Its almost 1950's and country at times but really upping the rock vibe. Sweet Virginia was my favorite and Tom and Frayed and All Down the Line were seconds. Shake Your Hips sounded just like they covered ZZ Top, but actually ZZ Top stole it from RS who covered it from Sim Harpo and he was not even the first. I didn't appreciate the second half as much because it got long, especially Let it Lose.

I especially enjoyed the first 10 songs. Sort of has an old timey rock and roll feel. And I love me some hot sax. Rocks Off, Rip this Joint, Shake Your Hips (sounds like a ZZ Top song), Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia (especially loved this one), Loving Cup, Happy... all great songs. But after that the album kind of drops off for me. It's about 8 songs too long.

This is the first full RS album I think I’ve ever listened to. I really liked all the instruments in it, but the vocals were kind of weird to me. It was hard to understand a lot of them and they got kinda lost sometimes. The first half of the album was super solid, the second half had a “is this over yet?” vibe. Stuck between a 3 and 4.

this was alright, i liked some songs but a lot of the album just dragged. not really my favorite type of music anyway…

It was okay. No song really stood out. Some of their other albums are a lot better.

They were so honky took on their early albums

The best album.

I’m surprised that I haven’t heard this one before. It’s apparently well known

This double album is a bit indulgent. I prefer "Beggars Banquet" and several other records over this one.

It’s just Mick making nonsense noises on top of music you’ve heard better versions of.

I must be the only person in the world who doesn’t lile Rolling Stones.

Not the best stones album but some excellent tunes on here

Enjoyable.

Absolute masterpiece

This album is extremely overrated, though I respect that it's widely acclaimed. One of its most glaring issues is its excessive length. The album drags on without offering enough engaging or varied material to justify its duration. The tracks often blend into one another, lacking the distinct qualities that make each song stand out. This results in a listening experience that is monotonous and tiresome.

For, in a sense, being the deep cut rolling stones record, it has such a good energy. It has so many highlights and lives up to the boozey basement vibe they were conceptually going for. A fun, blues, soulful rocking record that exudes the best of the band. My only complaint is, for as long as it is, there is not enough stylistic variation. This is not a really hard criticism but I think I'm just use to the stones having so much variety/grandeur across their catalog. Or maybe i'm closer to a beatles fan over them. Regardless, a much listen if you're a fan of good ol' rock n roll. Check our rocks off, happy, sweet virgina, casino boogie, turd on the run, tumbling dice and loving cup for sure. Otherwise just let it play and enjoy the vibe.

Not my typical music I listen to. But The Rolling Stones are fine in general.

# Album Name: Exile on main st # Artist: The Rolling Stones # Rating: 5/5 # Comments: Starts off brilliantly with rocks off. This was Such a fun album. You can really feel the vibes coming through on tracks like sweet virginia. I'd imagine they were all getting off their tits having a great time. Maybe an orgy or two. Theres a great mix of influences on the album. Blues, rock, country, gospel. The band is tight as fuck. You can feel it on the record. I can see why people dont think its a banger because its doesnt have the stones' biggest hits per say. But for me, its such a good album overall. I would agree its a tad too long. Thats been a common problem for any long album on this project, i do tend to get ear fatigue. This album beats the shit of most of the stuff on this project though. Nuff said. Its a banger in my eyes. A sleeping giant. It gets a low 5 for me. # Top Tunes: Rocks off / Shake your hips / Tumbling Dice / Sweet Virginia / Loving cup / Happy / stop breaking down / turd on the run / shine a light # Would I listen to it again? Definitely.

One thing the 1001 albums generator has taught me so far is that I'm not too keen on The Rolling Stones

Great Blues rock. I was unfamiliar with most of this album, but it was really solid. The album did suffer a bit from being a little long winded, which led to some of the songs being a little same-y, but overall really well done. Favourite songs: Ventilator Blues, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Shine a Light, Happy, Turd on the Run, All Down the Line, Rip This Joint, Rocks Off Least favourite songs: I Just Want to See His Face 4/5

An inevitable classic - feel good, full of swagger and while not the one with the most hits - it’s a solid end to end well paced fun record.

Groupe connu, j'ai été amené à jouer plusieurs de leurs tubes mais c'est la première fois que j'écoute un album entier, dans ce cas un double album. Celui ci est plus récent que la majorité des morceaux que je connais. Les morceaux sont dans un style blues/rock classique, mais l'album ne contient aucun tube. Les morceaux dynamiques sont plutôt bien, mais on a aussi beaucoup de remplissage : les (presque) 70 mn m'ont paru bien long. Je n'y reviendrais pas. =>2/5

I absolutely do not like The Rolling Stones. I have never liked the Rolling Stones. However, I also had never sat down and listened to this album in total before. Today I did that. I still do not like the Rolling Stones.

okay, i like some of the stones songs, but these didnt feel as fun to me

Stones albums from the early 70's always seem somehow "smaller" than what I expect. I prepare myself for music that is straight-ahead rock (and perhaps overly sexual and way too flashy for me). Instead, I find a collection of little blues numbers loosely put together.

The early 70's had so much cool shit going on. One notable exception to this was the fucking Stones. Their boring over the hill blues rock sucks ass and I hate it to this day. Oh and they recorded this album while they were being tax cheats in the south of France. Yeah fuck this album and truck this band.

Didn’t hate it, didn’t love it. A lot of the songs went on for a long time, more than needed. Overall good sound, usually love The Rolling Stones but not this one as much. Oh well, still a good time.

What moron gave the green light to a The Rolling Stones for a fucking DOUBLE ALBUM?!?!?! They can't even make a good single album. Boring, boring, fucking boring, and boring as shit. "Sweet Virginia" is great, the rest is fucking trash. I can't believe people seriously think this band was ever even on par with The Beatles.

Good album to have in the background while you're carving pumpkins. Does feel a bit bloated.

I liked the album but it was a bit long. The songs were upbeat and fun. They sounded full, and nothing felt out of place. Standouts: Rocks Off, Tumbling Dice, Sweet Virginia, Torn and Frayed, Loving Cup, Let It Loose, and Shine A Light.

Every time a new side came on I had a glimmer of hope that it was my music player auto-playing a *different* Stones album but alas, it was still this one. I really disliked this.

That sure was one of The Rolling Stones albums of all time

This was fine.... I'm not a huge Stones guy.

I don't get it and there's so much of it

For what I can only assume is a B-Sides collection this was still pretty bad. Still, plus one for horns.

Nice

When you look at the individual tracks, there's not much that is amazing but collectively they seemlessly work together making it greater than the sum of its parts. The music is very much like taking a drive through ultimate America with elements of rock, country, blues and gospel. I like the rolling groove, the murky, swampy sound and Jagger's voice being slightly under rather than on top of the mic. The other noticeable thing is how on the last few tracks the album builds up to a euphoric climax that almost feels spiritual. It's by no means a perfect album and I don't play it often but it is one that I consistently enjoy when I do.

Nothing really stood out for me, unlike on Sticky Fingers, but still an enjoyable Stones album

Ohh those old stones, swear they got like 2 good songs, neither on this album.

Standard Stones blues-y stuff, nothing particularly special but I did enjoy it more than expected.

Boring. I have this on LP and have listened to it quite a lot and my expectation is always higher than the outcome.

It's fine, I guess. 🤷

This was longgggg. Longer than it needed to be? Possibly. Did we need the last 5 tracks? I’d argue not but maybe I was just ready for it to be over by then. I didn’t mind it too much up until that point. I think if you’d played me this without telling me who it was, I wouldn’t have guessed the Stones. Probably says more about me than it does this record! Mid but docked a point for its unnecessary length

Favourite tracks: rocks off; rip this joint; tumbling dice; sweet Virginia; torn and frayed; happy

A classic Stones albums, as were many in late ‘60s and early ‘70s. A great mix of blues, country, rock, with the remix in the 2000’s, sound is great too!

Honestly I’ve never been a big fan of the Stones, which is blasphemy in my house. It was a little too honky tonk. Good sound though.

A solid Rolling Stones album but should by no means ever be ranked above albums like Between the Buttons, Sitcky Fingers, Their Satanic Majesties Request, and Let It Bleed are all definitely better in my opinion. It’s far too bloated and while its sound is good, it doesn’t warrant a tracklist as long as this has

mooi album... vooral eerste helft is goed, daarna beetje 13 in een dozijn zou 3,5 zijn, maar helaas, ik rond altijd af naar beneden

I've never thought of the rolling stones to have jazz influences - mainly because I only really know a few of their most popular songs that are solely rock and roll - but the saxophone, the trumpets, the acoustic guitar, everything just makes the sound. And I welcome it. I think that this album starts and ends very strongly; however, there is a small dip in the second half - in my opinion - only a small one though. Despite this the entire album is extremely enjoyable. Most of the tracks are very strong especially Shine A Light, Sweet Virginia and All The Line. I love the blues, swing and gospel influenc; the myriad of different styles make the album sound almost disjointed but connected at the same time. This is an incredibly strong album that perfectly encapsulates rock and roll.

Ce n'est certainement pa s le meilleur de tous leurs albums. Quand on sait dans quelle conditions il fut créer , rien d'étonnant

In my book, this is one of their top 3 albums when the Stones were hitting their peak in the late 60's and early 70's. (The others being Sticky Fingers and Let It Bleed) It's a bit long but still surprisingly solid, consistent and enjoyable.

Absolute classic. Tumbling Dice is my favourite

Not many standout tracks but I can see why it’s a classic

Masterpiece

Still don't think Mick Jagger has a nice voice. At its best during the jams. Without having heard their other albums, this might be a more soul-like addition? Might revisit.

I had higher expectations for every song to be a banger. I actually liked fewer than most

This is another example of an album that makes no many other albums sound like they don't even have the same tools to make music as these guys. The playing, mixing, vocals, it's all so cohesive and high level. I don't think I can pick a better double album to listen to it and barely notice a song to stand out. It all works so well together and almost demands to be listened to straight. Easy 5/5. If I was forced to pick a song, Shine a Light is fantastic.

This all sounds very familiar. At first I was ready to dismiss this as a generic rock and roll album. It's all solid music done by experts at their craft. With pretty good production. They obviously studied the musical genres on display and made their own great versions of them. Part of me doesn't want to give this a 5, just because it feels strange that The Rolling Stones nailed these sounds. It feels not that dissimilar to what AI does. It is a great sounding album that I would like to further explore.

First album on this list I own physically :) The second disc is even better than the first! The songs flow so nicely together and it paints this beautiful rustic picture of the 20th century. Rocks Off is one of their hardest no bullshit songs that starts the album off with such high energy and that momentum never lets up

Listened to this album expecting something but honestly no. I feel like its all the same, dont attack me but theres no excitement or the different feeling.

It's consistent, but that doesn't make it a great one for me. 3/5

A HUGE upgrade from the other album I listened to. Some really good songs on here and his voice grew on me by the end of it.

I think having none of the big hits works well here as it doesn’t distract focus from the rest of the album. So many good songs of sufficient variety to make this a quality listening experience. Really enjoyed this one.

Alright

Works great as a complete piece of work. Reason that it misses a 5* is that it runs a little too long for me as opposed to Let It Bleed. Strong start and some stone cold classics. Playing is great and sounds like a hell of a lot of fun at Nellcôte. You can hear the party

Underwhelming.

I grew up listening to a lot of Rolling Stones songs, but I’d never listened to one of their full albums until I started this project. This will be my third album of theirs to review, after Beggars Banquet (4 stars) and Let It Bleed (5 stars). I’m excited to listen to Exile though, since it’s supposed to be one of their best albums. As an added bonus, I’ve listened to Exile In Guyville, so I’m interested to see if I can connect the dots between that album and this one (I probably won’t be able to, but it’s fun to dream). For a Rolling Stones album that’s supposed to be the cream of the crop, I thought this was fine. When this album is at its best, it’s fun and bluesy, but at its worst, it’s repetitive and dull. The essentials of guitars, drums, and vocals are competent, but the supplemental instruments, like piano, saxophone, and horns really spice up parts of this album. It’s a small detail, but I think the Rolling Stones always have great backing vocals, and Exile is no exception to that rule. I think my biggest gripe with this album is that there just weren’t really any fun hooks or catchy riffs. “Tumbling Dice” is supposed to be the crown jewel of this album, but I felt like it didn’t stand out at all. The guitar playing on it is competent, but I didn’t find anything about it that set it apart from the other songs on the album. “Rocks Off,” “Loving Cup,” and “Shine A Light” were my favorites off of this album, mostly because they branched out more from the traditional blues-rock sound of the album. Give me Let It Bleed any day of the week, but I’ll probably pass up another opportunity to listen to Exile on Main St.

Good album, had a few Rolling stone weirdos in there but also some bangin songs! Heard a few I already knew and a few I'd like to know.

I think it would really like this album without all the boring blues stuff.

Nothing caught me about this album, it just felt long

Good, didn’t realize that 70s rock was much more folk and soft rock than what is out there now

Pretty indifferent.

Typical Stones

Pretty good! Sounds like bad Springsteen for some reason (bad Springsteen is still good music, of course)

Exceptional.

Far more interesting than the last Stones album I had on the list ( Let it Bleed). Highs include Tumbling Dice, Let it Loose and Sould Survivor

Definitely a side of the stones that I didn't know! Way more "country" than I expected!

Another classic and the last of the Stones classic run. I didn't like this album when I heard it years ago but over time it grew on me and now I love it, southern rock, blues and country, even a bit of gospel this album is soaked in the southern states. Tumblin' Dice, Happy, Sweet Virginia, Torn & Frayed, All Down The Line & Shine A Light are all highlights but if you listen to deluxe version there is a song called Following The River that is a real hidden gem.

Good, but certainly didn't live up to the hype that surrounds it.

Man oh man, most overrated band of all time? I think they are at least a contender.

Please release me from the Gen X white man prison - I'm scared and wnat to go home. That being said I enjoyed this one - a favourite of my Grandad that I think I had misconceptions of as this was way more soul/rock n roll than I expected Still not sure if this one has much cultural impact in 2024 Listening: begrudgingly Favourite Track: Rip This Joint

This is The Rolling Stones at their best for me. I love how every songs ends in a groove and I’m a sucker for the sloppy saxophone that shows up just the right amount. A great party/hard work album that I’ll be putting on in the future for sure.

I was listening to this when I received some pretty bad news and well the mood was set anyway.

Dude, it’s the freaking Rolling Stones, dude.

Great album enjoyed every track

Lite skrikigt och skränigt. Några bra låter men inget jag gillar överlag.

Helt bra blues rock, bättre mot slutet

Great Stones album that sounds to me very similar to all of the other stones albums.

I'm not going to get too deep into the weeds on this one, but it's not one of my favorite Stones albums. Beggars Banquet, on the other hand, is one of my favorite albums of all time. The highs here are just not as high and the lows drift into 70s-sleaze rock. I just can't do it anymore.

Not all my favorite songs on this album.

The question of whether the Beatles or the Stones are better is indisputable with the Beatles clearly being better. Song for Song, they are stronger. But when the Stones are on, they can't be touched. And this album, more than their collective hits, showcase how much joy there is in good old rock and roll. And it is the album that always make you question the Beatles comparison.

Albumi #53, 19.09.2024 Rollareiden yksi kehutuimmista levyistä vuodelta 1972. En ole koskaan ollut mikään suuri Rolling Stones -fani, eikä tämäkään taideteos muuttanut asiaa.

still a great album,

Underwhelming, first album I had to push myself through

I get why Mick and the boys don't really like this album. The production value did suffer a bit and it didn't have much commercial success in terms of singles. However, I also get why everyone else (including me) loves it. It's classic (not over-produced) Stones.

Start off very slow but gets better towards the back end, Don't see what makes this remarkable at all, I had actively stopping myself from skipping songs at points.

🤮 They are this folk-old-pop-rock-country-rigid-boring group. Horrible album, pain to listen to quite honestly. If you like them, all power to you.

2.5 never really got the hype around the stones. Sure they have some great hits, but I’ve never listened to a whole album so I assumed I was just missing something. This album didn’t do much to change my opinion, in fact it probably hurt more than helped. This album wasn’t bad but it was boring. 90% sounded the exact same throughout and there wasn’t a single song that stood out. How people can say they’re even in the same conversation as the Beatles still blows my mind

3.2 stars rounded down. Decent sound but nothing really stands out.

It’s hard not to conclude that less woulda been more here – both in terms of length/number of cuts and within cuts (why so many horns and so much backing vocals on so many cuts?). And it’s too scuzzy and muddy in production, with too many same-y, borderline filler-ish tunes (two of first four could be cut, plus "Turd" and one or two others late) to be among the very first rank of albums. All that said, this is great, the world is way better off because this is is still great, a triumph of mood and tone and vibe (or sub-genre [which would be raunchy country blues with a British accent]), the kind of album about which books are written and should be read. The "overrated" question is interesting but rather straightforwardly answered by saying it's not as good as Beggar's Banquet or Let It Bleed, and that's largely down to length. The "should it have been a double album" is the more interesting (if a little tired) question. It does lack hits and less woulda been more, but still a milestone and more than a minor masterpiece.

Good this

Lots of good stuff here. Definately a stripped down, bluesy approach. Feels like one big party. Catchy tunes all around. So many little ditties that I forget them about as soon as I hear them. But I'm enjoying the listen.

7/10…country rock

That was so unremarkable, I would have believed it if someone told me it was their debut.

Bluesy Stones with great guitar. 3*

Fine

Oh boy, this list is testing me with these double albums lately lol. Look, I'm a fan of the Stones. I am. I'm not a hardcore fan by any means. But I enjoy the majority of their output. However, I disagree with many people and critics that this is their best album. I don't think it is. Not by a long shot. To pull off a quality and engaging double LP it either needs a reason to be such or it has to have a wide variety of musicality throughout. The Who's 'Tommy' and Pink Floyd's 'The Wall' are rock operas that are portraying a storyline to the listener and is the backbone of the tracklist, weird interludes and all. The Beatles' 'White Album' is an absolute pool of variety ranging from rock 'n' roll, campfire bizzare-ness, ballads in all shapes and forms, a sprinkle of country, and even heavy metal. The Rolling Stones' 'Exile On Main St.' is simply an extended tracklist of that that bluesy rock 'n' roll sound they have perfected; it's great, but rarely do they ever step out of their comfort zone and the album suffers from being far too bloated for its own good. Personal highlights: 'Rocks Off', 'Sweet Virginia', 'Torn and Frayed', 'Happy', 'Ventilator Blues', 'All Down The Line', and 'Shine A Light'. In all honesty, there isn't a single bad track on here. So by that metric 'Exile On Main St.' should be perfection in and of itself. But I'm judging this as an entire piece of work. And as an album it is disjointed, despite the polished production and great songs. It is far longer than it has any reason to be. And does not have the variety or concept to keep it engaging. I know the Stones are on this list a few times, so I'm excited about those albums. For me, personally, 'Exile On Main St.' is an album that you can pick out your favourites and playlist them, but is somewhat hard to sit down and listen to as an overall project. 3/5

Fav: Rocks Off Least Fav: I Just Want To See His Face This didn’t need to be 18 tracks long. At least some of the songs were very good

Once again proving that albums are a creature apart from our current culture of songs as singles, not part of a whole (maybe this reflects the general trend towards individuality that we presently live with?). I do love me some Stones, and ‘Sweet Virginia’ marries up my country leanings with crunchy blues guitar as well as any song out there, but it was the ‘other songs’ that grabbed me here, especially “Shine a Light” and “I Just Want to See His Face”. Maybe Mick and Keef felt they needed some saving - and they were probably right.

Hm. Not what I would have picked as the stones' finest or most memorable album. What it does well, though, is showcase how effectively British music laundered the blues and sold it back to America as good ol' white guy rock and roll.... But the stones have always seemed to me like British expats who decided that America was much more their home vibe.... But maybe music shouldn't have a geography. Maybe music is fair trade and sounds are there to feel... Maybe I'm writing nonsense because this album was nothing special for me....

I’m always surprised at how unpolished and raw this album is at times and I mean that in a totally good way. When I first heard this over 20 years ago I loved it- over time I find myself revisiting less and less but I can still appreciate it and it allowed to understand why the stones were/are so huge.

There are some great songs on this album, and I'd probably give it a 3.5, but I feel the length really hurts it, especially because I didn't feel it was cohesive in any real way. It just felt like a compilation of songs, and the great ones just blended in with the many "good" ones. If there was a 45 minute version, I feel I could really love it and want to return to it a lot, but 67 minutes means I don't know how often I'd want to go back to it.

It's a bit of a glorious double album mess but it delivers dirty rock and roll in an epic way

No stand out tracks, but I like the Stones and I like this more bluesy sound. Didn’t need to be an hour long though.

I know it’s supposed to be their best, but I prefer Sticky Fingers. Simpsons: Yes

Just incredibly boring.

I liked Shine a Light, the rest kind of bored me

Actually very enjoyable

de sound vom erste song gfallt mer seehr. gnau gnueg dreckig und clean glichzitig. sehr geil. rip this joint isch afoch chli boogie und sie schreied chli? gutmer etz gaar nüt. shake your hips tönt au seeehr noch john lee hooker. ich ha gern john lee hooker aber trotzdem. und es isch etz nöd würklich en song. casino boogie het cools wurlitzer sehr nice. sax solo hani etz recht whack gfunde. find ich d stones scheisse? aso nai aber mega mega geil isch etz da nöd. tumbling dice isch viel meh en song sehr cooli bgvs und so en refrain und e melodie und de keith richards five string shit sehr nice. ok super song. sweet virginia het au seehr schöni country gitarre torn and frayed chan au reeecht tschutte findi. sweet black angel (muss des?) musikalisch gfallts mer eigentli. glaub es isch eig en civil rights song. sie mached irgendwo glaub de N-bomb. weiss ich nich. loving cup? loving cup. ok. coole song ok. wird langsam mitem jahger warm. und nicky hopkins am klavier fitzt huere ane. cooli fills au vom charlie. happy isch wieder chli meh basic. aber easy. hahah turd on the run isch en riese songtitel. schnurregiige passt drums sind super tight und s riff isch halt es bluesrock riff. nüt erfunde (nöd erfunt). ventilator blues isch wieder chli meh en song mit ahspruch zum en song sii. sie wechsled ab zwüsched songs und bluesriffs findi. i just want to see his face isch recht nice. afoch de glich mood dure. let it loose isch die erst ballade bis etz. recht hübsch mit de chorus gitarre und so. die letste vuer songs sind jetz HAAAMMER e vieri e vieri.

steine weg bin sehr gspannt uf das album joa jz nöd gad en firestarter RIP THIS JOINT es isch halt scho e unverchennbari stimm shake your hips funny alles würkt recht improvisiert iwie? s hautmi na nüt würkli um, au wenns recht vilsitig isch (sie haben nicht gelogen) oh gott fucking schnurregiige oh shit ich han wege z101 (ich liebs werd) absolut abgschalte und nüt vode letschte 2 lieder mitübercho hahahah turd on the sun isch kinda fun ah turd on the run hahahaha jaa bis jz findi amigs eifach de groove cool und mengisch e strophe oder en refrain funny aber joa s klavier bi let it loose isch sehr cute stop breaking down het es huere geils solo shine a light on you isch jz s erste wo ich easy spass gha han...chli spaat joa du ich han iwie wenig chönne demit ahfange, schlecht ischs nöd aber iwie ischsmer alles chli glich gsi

5/10 Not keen.

Not as good as ‘War’ by U2 but still good enough for me

I’ve tried to get through this album like 3 times and failed each time so maybe that’s a sign from god

The runtime for this put me off a bit but I ended up enjoying this. Mick Jagger's vocals always shine through when he's at his peak and this album proves so. If someone were to ask me what would be my go to album rock and roll I'd definitely tell em all about this. Best - Rocks Off, Tumbling Dice, Ventilator Blues, Stop Breaking Down, and Shine A Light Worse - no bad songs 4.50/5

An album full of decent efforts in the format of deep cuts, with the most notable being 'Rocks Off', 'Rip This Joint', 'Tumbling Dice', and a few others that pretty much sound exactly like them. However, there isn't really a bad song on this entire album, and it's enjoyable all the way through. It's 18 songs of good vibes and nostalgia, and I don't know what's much better than that.

I think “Beatles or Stones?” as a personality test-type question is silly. The Rolling Stones are a great band but the Beatles are so far beyond the Stones that it’s not even a contest. I don’t agree with Paul McCartney saying the Stones were just a blues cover band, but I don’t think that’s completely wrong either. Not only am I not a big Stones fan, but I also have an intrinsic suspicion - bordering on full on dislike - for double albums. They are almost always just missed opportunities to make a really great single album. They are typically boring and self-indulgent and way too long. All that being said, this double album by The Rolling Stones is my favorite album of all time. This album is what spinning out of control and coming apart at the seams sounds like. Fast and hard and joyous and raucous; and then decadent and lascivious and louche; and then exhausted and cynical and a paranoid bundle of nerves and depression; and finally transcendent. If you can’t get into this album then you have to ask yourself if you’ve ever even run a slight temperature in the funkhouse, much less had a full on fever up in that mother. I also love albums with completely mundane origin stories. Started in London, then recorded over months In the basement of Keith’s villa in the south of France with a revolving door of contributors, then Mick leads overdubs in LA with a bunch of session musicians inspired by Aretha Franklin’s gospel singing. There is no overarching theme or plan. They were mostly just drunk or high or broke or running from the law or trying to cheat the taxman or their previous manager or the French police and these songs happened to be recorded at some point in that years long fiasco. This album should not be good. And it isn’t good and it certainly isn’t perfect, it’s just - to me - the greatest album of all time.

NO QUIERO A LOS STONES

I'm a bit ill to enjoy the album fully today. Because of that, I didn't feel like listening. There's some songs I really like. Nothing significant to me here. I wasn't bored halfway through and that's a bonus. 3 stars for "Exile On Main St".

A nice album without blowing me away. Distinctive stones sound without any standout tracks. Some of the tracks fall the wrong side of self indulgence (Ventilator Blues for example).

Top 5

I know some say this is the Stones’ best album, but that honor, to me, goes to Sticky Fingers. This a very good album though.

Not their best album.

I marked down an early Stones album because it was all covers. This is all their own work - and it still feels stolen. And this album was written when they were tax exiles - yet another example of them taking and not giving back.

Pretty good Stones album, some very forgettable extra tracks make this lose its 5 star status. 4.4 stars

Probably the most fun Rolling Stones album I’ve heard to date. Didn’t need to be a double album though, I feel like a tighter runtime would’ve made this a 5.

Peak Stones

Another one from my vinyl collection. Lots of great underrated Stones songs on here. Love Sweet Virginia, Tumbling Dice, Torn & Frayed, Shine a Light, Loving Cup.

Not a stand-out song but classic rock if I've ever heard it. All the songs together make it a complete album (no shit)

i was told i would be gathering no moss, but here we are

Nothing really stood out, but it was easy enough otherwise

Just not my thing really

One of my favorite albums of all time, and definitely my favorite Stones album. Recorded during a famously drug-fueled, debaucherous period for the band while in tax exile in France, the album sounds like a near-constant party. It’s the raunchiest, dirtiest, messiest, and rawest sounding of any of the Stones albums—perhaps as hedonistic to listen to as it was to make.

It's soulful, it's jazzy, it's bluesy, it's not like anything else I had ever heard from the Stones before...and it's probably also half an hour too long for its own good. It's cool to hear a lot of these concepts intertwined in a way that I don't really associate with this band and it's definitely my favorite project that I've heard from them so far. That being said, it's a little repetitive and the fact they don't really innovate on these ideas throughout the project leads me to believe that these aren't really their ideas and they are more or less copying what's already out there at the time. Very solid album though, but will have to miss top marks from me because of a lack of real creativity.

Love The Rolling Stones but this album wasn't my favorite.

Haven’t listened to this in years, but is in my top 10 albums of all time. Update not top 10 of all time- but still a great record and in my top 50. I mean it’s a double album, but the flow and mood of the album make it 5 stars, not to mention the terrific songs.

Still going strong

Not bad, but I think they improved, both on originality and sound. Not a single song jumped out at me, but it was still a good listening experience.

I’ve never been a straight ahead blues rock guy. My preferences have always tended more towards art, psychedelic, progressive, and jam band. Based on that, suffice to say in the Beatles vs. Stones debate I’ve always found myself with both feet firmly planted in the Beatles camp. That said, I have always respected the Stones for their musicianship and longevity. This album with its diverse rock-n-roll, blues, and country flavors just isn’t my bag. There are some great songs on this record, especially the "non-hits" and slower tempo like Sweet Virginia, Loving Cup, Let It Loose, and Shine A Light. In the end, my respect for this work is high as a classic album, but it still doesn't translate into something that makes me want to listen to it repeatedly. 3.5⭐️

Once again, the Stones prove they are a singles band. This is supposed to be one of the greatest albums of all time and it’s… just fine? I’ve never seen the appeal of this album.

TWO STONES ALBUMS IN A ROW!!!! FUCK YOU!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! EAT MY ASS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! wanted to leave it at that but i feel like i do need to explain why This is so obviously the nadir to me of a catalog i already obviously Do Not Like At All. the rolling stones doing boring, stiff, sleazy versions of black music was partly excusable on their early records cuz thats what Everyone Was Doing, and much like their contemporaries they started branching and experimenting as the 60s went on, going thru a weird sissy pop era , making that weird psychedelic thing, and by the time they went back to Rootsy music with beggars banquet they had an expanded palate that i can appreciate from afar even tho i hate listening to the actual music. but this record, the culmination of their most acclaimed stretch, is their full on Back To Basics record even more then sticky fingers, and that means the mode is purely in imitation and pastiche, which is just absolutely unholy (strangely similarly to led zepp's interminable physical graffiti, which also made the inexplicable decision to make their big double album a super monotonous back to basics affair after branching out on the last few records). just about the only thing keeping this from being one of the very *very* worst albums ive ever heard is that i can at least appreciate the hyper-dense arrangement approach...especially the rollicking pianos and organs, i like to hear those in rock songs. cant stand any other aspect of this enterprise, not the least of which that this is their second album in a ROW to have a song featuring brazenly horrible and tone-deaf slavery references, if u thought i had to give them any credit whatsoever for "respecting" who they stole their music from. i genuinely might hate mick jagger more then axl rose but i know im gonna roll appetite one of these days so i may eat my words

какой-то тухлый ролин стоунс, даже удивительно

I don't even need to listen to this again (but I will), it's one of my favorite albums of all time. Love everything about it, even the mixing (love those low vocals in the mix for minimum Mick). Near perfect.

Tumbling Dice added to liked

No private session used in Spotify. I was never a huge Stones fan, maybe because I lived through the 80s where the stuff they were putting out and forcing us to listen was that great. Yes, they have some classic songs, but there is a lot of blues inspired rock, which tends to meander and features Jagger's voice, which I have never been a fan of.

This used to be a favorite but I haven’t listened in a while, and it seems my taste has changed. There’s a bit too much honky tonk influence and general cacophony for my liking, and the vocal performances are wildly uneven. Piano’s effectiveness is similarly inconsistent. There are flashes of greatness (Shine a Light, Soul Survivor) but they’re few and far between. Guess I’ll revisit this in another ten years and see what I think then. Listened to: walking on LVRT. Favorite tracks: Sweet Virginia, Ventilator Blues, Shine a Light

i love this album would listen to it again

More mellow Stones than I'm used to, but still very enjoyable!

For some reason The Rolling Stones and The Beatles are linked in my head. This is weird due to the following: a) I have a long history with listening to The Beatles but this is, as far as I'm aware, my first time with The Rolling Stones b) They sound very different. Favourite track: Tumbling Dice.

Just an all-around classic

Another slice of genius from the period in which they could do no wrong

4.4 - Yeah I can't fault this, just really great listening and great style. Few tracks were already in my rotation. Just solid stones innit

The 1001 is making me realise that The Rolling Stones are probably the most overrated band in history, for me personally. This was so dull. I can't stand Mick Jagger's voice - somehow both mumbly and whiny. Fave Tracks: I Just Want to See His Face 2.3/5

I'm sure people that love the Stones LOVE this album. They've always been one of those bands I respect without enjoying very much. Most of that comes down to Jagger's vocal. You either love it or can't stand it, and I'm in the latter camp. Which means in the Beatles versus Stones camp, even apart from the songs, I gotta go with the Beatles just because those guys all have such stellar voices. The fact this is a double album made it a bit of a challenge to get through. A normal Stones album is like watching one of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings films. But this was like watching the extra long 4 hour extended editions. Still everything that's great about the Stones, but so much of it that by the final third I thought I might need an intermission. Fortunately, the final third kicked in and it was absolutely my favorite part of the album. They mixed it up a lot for those songs and honestly if they had cut down the whole album to a normal sized set of songs that was just "I Just Want to See His Face" through "Soul Survivor", they might have even made a convert out of me. But as it was, the album did two things - reaffirmed for me why the Stones were and are such a big deal to so many people, and reminded me that they're just not quite my flavor. Still - great music, great band. 3 out of 5.

One of the best albums in the list.

this was a massive vibe, i liked a lot of the songs, its a long album with a lot of great tracks, really great

a classic

7.8

This album has some decent energy but it sometimes feels kind of hollow. Like you're drinking a 6-pack but it's only 4% beer. There were some highlights though - Rocks Off, Rip This Joint, Tumbling Dice, and Happy were all nice, and finally Let It Loose was probably my favorite song on the album. Good energy, would probably be fun to see a live performance with extended instrumentals, but I won't revisit this album.

Admittedly went into this with a reluctant heart. And well… sad to report that I’m still not anywhere near a fan. This album was a drudge for me. At points reminiscing 50s rockabilly, pulling at threads of gospel, some blues - but never definitely any or all of those. Felt surface level to all approaches. From the opening song, to the mid tracks - I found it aimless and lacking cohesion… ultimately nothing for me to latch onto. I was constantly asking: what’s going on here? Might be purposeful and rather RTS MO and that’s awesome! maybe a matter of their eclectic range —- Just not for me. :( boring me, but this bored me lol. At some points, particular moments in songs did resonate with me: Folksy, rhythmic opening to sweet black angel - yet it lost me with a seemingly meandering approach as it continued and never really giving that oomph I kept wishing for. Harmonic, bluegrassy Turd on the Run against a backdrop of cruising down an open road getting into some foolishness was a fun listen Really dug the final track - did feel culminating whereas other song placements left me wondering if there was a purpose Overall, not enjoyable for me, but intrigued based on their general acclaim

Fun listen if you want some deep cuts. Best Song: Shake Your Hips

I have heard of this album. I have seen it on many lists. I finally saw the stones live this past summer (2024). Looking at the track list I don’t recognize one single song. Looking forward to listening. Ok I know a few. Tumbling Dice is a song I forgot all about. Love that song. There are a lot of songs. Was worried about bloat. This record is fucking awesome. It’s a 5.

very southern, definitely delta blues inspired Better than I remember

It was ok, I suppose. Some tracks didn’t really do anything for me. It was just alright.

I know this is heresy, but I've never been able to get into the Stones beyond a few of the greatest hits. They're not a bad band, it's just not really my style. This album wasn't bad, for the most part (though the vocals on the opening track are pretty painful to listen to). It's just kind of meh for me. The music was pretty good — most of the songs are high energy, competent ripoffs of blues and honky tonk. A lot of the lyrics are just okay, and Jagger's voice gets grating after a while. There are way too many tracks here, and it definitely overstays its welcome. Overall, it's not something I'd go out of my way to listen to, and I feel like I'd probably pick actual blues music over this British impression of it. Also, "Sweet Black Angel" is so weird. If you're going to write a protest song in support of Angela Davis, maybe don't write it from the perspective of a Black character (complete with the N word) and sing it in a minstrel voice. What the hell? 3/5

A quality album. Perhaps could be shorter, but a lot of very strong tracks: Rocks Off and I Just Wanna See His Face are honourable mentions. A strong entry from the Stones' golden period.

I don't think I'll ever get the hype around this album. I like a lot of the Stones songs, and none of the songs are bad, but it just goes on for quite a while and most songs don't really do much for me.

I liked the album, but I wouldn't rave about it.

I have not been the kindest to The Rolling Stones. Listen, I didn’t want to dislike them and give them as much shit as I did. But I was presented nothing by their debut or by Aftermath that warranted a positive reaction from me. I sat around wondering where the praise was coming from. But I also acknowledged in that most recent review that the only albums left on the list were supposedly the good ones. I wanted to be given a reason to like this band. I needed something. I was sort of hoping the trend would continue in semi-release order. But instead, I skipped ahead to 1972’s Exile on Main St.. And man, it makes me so happy that I can sit here and genuinely write positive things about this record. Very positive, mind you. Any complaint or criticism I may have had about their older music is almost entirely fixed or no longer an issue. In the six years between Aftermath and this, they refined their own sound and identity into exactly what it needed to be. This is a blues rock album that finally feels worth a damn. It’s wild these are the same guys who made those other records. I mean, the potential was always there. Paint It, Black is a prime example of that. But with this I can see it come to fruition. This album is a mess. In its execution, and in its production. But I can embrace that, simply because of how good the music actually is. Compared to their earlier releases, everything here feels so much more lively. I wish I had a way of showing how much emphasis I’m putting on that word lively. I really mean it. This is such a good time from start to finish. I’ve seen it described as having a party-like atmosphere, and I couldn’t agree more. The energy is completely different. Especially with Mick Jagger. His performances really feel like they make a difference on the music. I can finally understand why everybody wanted to either meet Mick Jagger, or be Mick Jagger. Because THIS is the version of him they grew up with. The way they incorporate gospel into the music, particularly with the backing vocalists, makes the band sound free and alive. And even though I’ve already spoken about it ad nauseam in past reviews, the horns and saxophone just bring the energy up one level higher. It’s something I didn’t realize they needed until I heard it, and now I can’t imagine their music without it. It seems the consensus is that this is the culmination of the rest of their catalog up until this point. I really hope that doesn’t mean the other three big albums aren’t as good, but I am more optimistic now that they will be then ever before. Rating: 9/10

I expected more "hits" off an album title as well known from a band as big as the Stones, but I don't think I've heard any of these songs before. It feels different than the Stones I'm familiar with.

Going to see my old teacher and listening to somewhere else's music. I always expect more edge from the stones but they do be rolling. I got into it!!

fun to listen to!

good, but a single album would've been excellent

This album rocks so hard and kicks so much ass right out of the gate. It's easily my favorite Stones album. There are maybe 2 or 3 filler songs (Turd On The Run and Just Want To See His Face), and even those are still tolerable.

Absolutely Goated

- Habe dieses Album noch nicht gehört. - Kannte von der Platte nur Tumbling Dice - Diese Platte hat bringt mich leider von meiner bestehende Meinung ab, dass Rolling Stones mir wirklich relativ wenig geben. - Plätscherte insgesamt ohne Nennenswerte Höhepunkte vor sich hin. Dass ich durchweg gelangweilt war, wäre aber auch gelogen 2,75/5

- Keiner der großen Hits drauf, soweit ich das sehen / hören konnte und trotzdem ein tolles Album - entspannt, groovy, hat einfach Spaß gemacht zu hören 3,25/5

Incroyable soul survivor

This is a great jump off record if you want to get into the Stones. It has a lot of their influences and sounds like their earlier work enough, all while showing you a glimpse of what's to come.

I have some reviews queued up, so I'm going to make this quick: #22 ctrl-c crtl-v: Outside of whatever Stones songs I happened to hear im my life, I'd never really paid attention to them. The couple of hits I like had always been enough for me. [...] Q̷u̷i̷t̷e̷ ̷c̷o̷o̷l̷ ̷h̷o̷w̷ ̷r̷o̷u̷g̷h̷ ̷i̷t̷'̷s̷ ̷p̷r̷o̷d̷u̷c̷e̷d̷ ̷a̷t̷ ̷t̷i̷m̷e̷s̷,̷ ̷l̷i̷k̷e̷ ̷b̷u̷s̷k̷e̷r̷s̷ ̷o̷n̷ ̷t̷h̷e̷ ̷s̷t̷r̷e̷e̷t̷. But. E̷h̷.̷ ̷M̷e̷h̷.̷ ̷A̷l̷r̷i̷g̷h̷t̷.̷ ̷H̷o̷o̷!̷ ̷H̷a̷!̷ ̷T̷h̷r̷e̷e̷.̷ Bluesrockgospel for the other audience. Nope.

Great blues.

The Rolling Stones have never really appealed to me. I wondered if that might change with this project and apparently this is considered their best album by many but they still don’t do anything for me. Rating: 2

The expectations might've been too high, but honestly it didn't grab me as much as some of the other albums that have a reputation of being the greatest

Bit long, and missing a few hits on it. A lot of the songs didn't really grab me

I see alot of hate in the comments here on the 1001 generator. And I don't outwardly disagree with it. Is this the best Rolling Stones album? No. Is this a smash hit sensation of rock n'roll classics that the Stones are known for? Also no. But in no way is this a bad or bland album. Its uniquely authentic to the sounds in which united the great rock group to begin in the first place. American blues, soul and Americana. It is an absolute gem in consideration with the entirety of the Stones catalogue. So raw, and so rare of a band to strip it all back down to just good easy to listen to and emotional songs. There is not much the hate here, so when I say I don't disagree. I'm open to dialogue, but check your anti- mick jagger bias and listen to this album during a mundane day and consider its authenticity in your preamble of hatred. I might add consider the context, these songs were written when the Stones had toured the world, played almost every day for years, strung out on drugs and whilst dodging tax issues in England. The low value writing and production lend to its overall authentic sound. Good old fashioned blues, soul, and Americana done by a british band deeply inspired by American music at a time where all they had was eachother and music.

I was very indifferent to this Rolling Stones album. I considered giving it a 2 but at the end of the day it’s not that bad, it’s listenable, just zero standout tracks.

Not gonna lie, I went in thinking this would be an hour of consistently mediocre Blues Rock that people overrate for its status as a "classic". But, I ended up enjoying this more than I thought I would. Would rate it higher if it wasn't mixed so poorly.

Not a huge fan of The Rolling Stones, so this was a drag.

I've never really liked or listened to The Rolling Stones, but this was better than I thought "Rip This Joint" and "Shine a Light" were highlights Just wish that I could understand Mick's singing 4 ⭐️

Mostly straight up Blues Rock on this Stones album. Not as many 'hits' as some other albums but solid rock and roll throughout.

I was convinced that I didn't like the Rolling Stones. I see why they're such a cultural touchstone. Even divorced from their other work, this album is classic rock. It's versatile and interesting and I can imagine listening to it in any environment.

I’m surprised that I’m giving this such a low rating, but even though I liked the style, there wasn’t really anything that grabbed me.

Fuckin Stones

Every time I'm walking all down the street Some pretty mama starts breaking down on me Stop breaking down Baby please stop breaking down Still I'm gonna bust you brains out dear Yeah I'm gonna make you lose your mind You Saturday night women now you just ape and clown You don't do nothing but tear my reputation down Stop breaking down Mama please stop breaking down Still I'm gonna bust you brains out dear Yeah it's gonna make you lose your mind I love my baby ninety nine degrees But that mama got a pistol and laid it down on me Stop breaking down Baby please stop breaking down Still I'm gonna bust you brains out baby Yeah I'm gonna make you lose your mind Yeah, this is a pretty amazing album. 5/5

Good basic rock, several Stones albums that I prefer.

At first I just wasn’t in the mood to revisit this album. This is a common thing for me and The Rolling Stones. It took me until the age of 30 to truly appreciate their music. Until then it always felt like homework to take on a full album of theirs, still does sometimes. But sometimes I’m in the right headspace for this band and then it’s like they can do no wrong, every song is essential. This is especially true for this album. It’s a perfect end of day album and similarly every song sounds like it would fit nicely at the end of a movie as the credits go up.

While I respect what these guys have done over the last half plus of a century, I just don't really vibe them. You can hear a variety of styles on this album, and that's really their strength, their musical versatility. Jagger's voice just ruins it for me. I would listen to a music only version. Loving Cup is a favorite on here. I like the brass and piano.

The Rolling Stones are another band I wanted to be more familiar with, and didn't quite know where to start. Guess it's Exile On Main Street, which I heard was pretty good. This album varies between blues, country, and rock n' roll, all with the same Jagger swagger. I love the addition of horns on some of the tracks. This is raw, raucous, and keeps the party going. You can hear the fun they had while performing on this one. Lightning in a bottle. I imagine The Black Crowes forming out of a desire to recreate "Tumbling Dice" and "Soul Survivor" over and over and call it career. Low-register Jagger on "Rocks Off" could inspire countless Strokes' tunes. The repetitive chords with attitude of "Turd On The Run" could have easily been a Velvet Underground song. I'm sure for die-hard fans, every song is a gem; they certainly capture the Rolling Stones vibe. Some songs feel a bit like hanging out with your friends and making something out of nothing. In such cases, sheer enthusiasm carries the song moreso than the playing or songwriting. Like Melon Collie and the Infinite Sadness, this may benefit from a bit of trim, keeping only the best tracks for one great LP. No need for this to be a double album. However, if you're looking for that Roni Size "put this on to maintain an energetic and consitent vibe for a long time", Exile On Main Street works for this particular vibe.

This album felt very loose and carefree, with a sort of party atmosphere throughout the whole thing, which was pretty cool. It sounds like Mick and the band got together with 20 of their closest friends, boozed it up, and had the time of their lives recording a southern rock album. I love that for them, but I just couldn't really get into it. I've never been a big Stones fan, and this album didn't add any new layers to help me change my feeling about them. I've spent a lot of time and several conversations trying to figure out why I just can't get into the Stones, and I still don't think I have an answer I can articulate. I can see why others might like them, but most of their stuff just isn't for me, and I guess that's all I can say about that. I do think it's kind of strange that this is considered one of their most critically acclaimed albums, but I only recognized the single “Tumbling Dice.” if this album is their best, I would have thought I would have heard more from it over the years.

And here it is. Probably one of many that will be on this list. I'm probably going to take some heat from big Stones fans on this one. I am not a big Stones fan myself. I know they are legendary rock royalty and everything, it's just that Mick's voice to me is just not that special. I feel like as far as the whole British invasion deal, the Stones and the Beatles got a lot comparison. The Beatles to me are so much more interesting and creative. It's not that I find the Stones to be terrible, although some of the songs I really don't care for its just that I find them kind of meh. If someone were to give me tickets to a Stones show I feel like I would go moreso out of historical factors rather than loving the music. Probably my two favorite Stones songs are Paint It Black and 19th Nervous Breakdown. This particular album was ok for me. A very bluesy rock album. I could see how something like this would influence other artists in the future. It seemed like a celebration of whatever southern blues musicians they listened to growing up.

Tbh, this is the only Stones ‘album’ I actually know (or knowingly like), but I’ve not listened to this or anything else that much. It’s got a really nice vibe to it, defo sounds like the band enjoying themselves. I quite like the variable production qualities of the songs, which gives some nice variability. No hits as such, but some tracks stand out for me (Rocks, Torn and Frayed, Ventilator Blues). So there aren’t any bad tracks as such, but as with most double albums it does drag, and there’s only so much Jagger vocals, Richards slide guitar blues and honky tonk piano one can take in one sitting. They were probably so strung out at the time they didn’t care, and I guess neither should we really.

This has been made by a band having a good time in the South of France. Amazing what a bit of sun can do. It sounds like they were doing what they liked and didn't care about the hits, which is refreshing. The junkies and drunks probably got on Mick's nerves but it's rock and roll mythology at its best.

Excellent album, one I don’t listen to enough.

Exile on Main St. shows the Rolling Stones at their most ragged, raw, and relentlessly brilliant. It is a sprawling, sweaty dive into American roots music that pulls from rock, blues, gospel, country, and soul, all filtered through the band’s drug-fueled haze in a French villa basement. It should not work, but it absolutely does. “Tumbling Dice” is the crown jewel, a slinky and swaggering groove wrapped in slurred vocals and gospel backing that feels both effortless and essential. “Rocks Off” blasts the doors open as the chaotic and glorious opener, with Keith and Mick sounding like they are on the edge of collapse and somehow thriving in it. There is no polish here, only grit, sweat, and soul. It captures the sound of a band laying it all out, imperfections and all. This is not just a great Stones album, it is the kind of record that defines rock and roll itself. Favorite Song: “Tumbling Dice”

Its okay - nice background music but seems like it's been playing much longer than an hour.

Sounds like the Stones

Every track feels like a song you can put on the background. Initial listen I did not enjoy the album!

Having not heard this before my expectations were high. Unfortunately it fell short. Decent album tho and may give it another chance but just thought it was going to do more for me

A sprawling album I prefer the tighter Sticky Fingers. Admittedly impressive but not something I would revisit aside from some specific songs.

I got the point by the end of disc 1, this doesn't need to be a double LP. I'm sorry, I respect the Stones and they have Gimme Shelter, which remains one of my favorite songs, but 90% of their catalogue does nothing for me. I could probably count the number of songs by them I come back to on 2 hands. Tirade aside, this isn't obnoxious like a certain other legacy act with massive unearned presence in pop culture. Metallica's music is legitimately annoying outside of Hit the Lights and The Four Horsemen, whereas the Stones are pretty digestible, just low calorie (outside of a handful that I love). Big props to Shine a Light on here too, dunno why it clicked but it did.

This stones album felt more pub anthem-ish in a very American way which was both fun and somewhat exhausting by the end. No particular song stood out, it just felt like an overall crowd pleaser album to put on at a family reunion or something.

I had never listened to a full album by the Stones. I now know why. It is just middle of the road and nothing is super exciting for me.

I hadn’t ever listened to a full album of Rolling Stones. The guitar was very good and I am shocked that they are still touring because they didn’t seem like a perfect inform band in this album

I had never listened to a Rolling Stones album before so wasn’t really sure how much I would like 67 minutes of Mick Jager but I quite enjoyed it. I loved the overall feel and energy of the album. It was just always going there never came a point where I thought wow this really drags. That’s pretty hard to do typically on an album this long but they succeeded I thought. I also really liked all the horns on the album and the brass thought they added a nice touch (and kinda one I didn’t expect) and added some nice layers. Overall very enjoyable experience.

enjoyed this more than I thought-especially since the album has so many tracks. felt like it was a nice blend of styles & sounds-enjoyed the bluesy-er feel on couple pieces, piano/keyboards, & harmonica in others. pleasant surprise

Perhaps the biggest band I couldn’t give a flying fig about. Maybe the generator will change my mind… not on the basis of this album.

There is far too much rolling stones on this list. Like I said before, their style is very dry and uninteresting. There are hardly any memorable songs other than shine a light. 2/5.

One of the best from one of the best!

Not my favorite of theirs

Awesome stones album

Is dit een rock album? Is dit een jazz album? Eerlijk; het gaat compleet alle kanten op, maar dan wel op een positieve manier! Ik ben niet zo van de standaard rock en roll, dus het feit dat hier gewoon een heleboel meer gebeurt is een fijne constantering! Dit album is vrij bluesy en jazzy, heb ik de Stones gewoon altijd verkeerd begrepen? HEt is wel een belachelijk lang album, en de Stones zijn gewoon niet echt mijn ding. Het is 1 gigantische brij qua muziek, beetje blues, beetje jazz, beetje rock n roll, maar vooral heel veel mehhhh FAVO: Rip This Joint

Wow-ee I was disappointed by this. It's waaaay too countrified for me, to the point of being grating. You're from Sarf London Mick, stop sounding like you grew up on a ranch.

The stones are so ok

Klassiker!

A classic. It's boisterous, swampy, stinky and has no class, but it's fully alive. Like your 8 year old self and your cousins after an afternoon of fighting each other with rotten fruit.

Nothing jumps out but a nice listen

Didn't know they were so jazzy

Wonderful songs on this album. Wasn't exactly sure what to think based on the album art if I'm honest. I prefer the first half of this album, the second half is definitely a bit weaker.

The second best Stones album of their golden era. No track misses.

Thought this was a lot of fun, especially as the album went on. Really good stuff here, none of which I have ever heard.

I ended up listening to this on repeat most of the day. Amazingly American sounding album by a British band.

This is one of the Stones most acclaimed albums? Why? Straightforward, well executed blues rock, but nothing exciting here.

I'm not really a Stones guy but this wasn't bad

Much like Sticky Fingers, this just sounds like a bunch of drunk Englishman playing shitty blues

Okay The Rolling Stones. it was aight. 3 stars.

Eh. It’s the Stones.

I don't think there's any individual stand-out from this album. None of the songs really blow me away. But every song is really good. I really like the bluesy vibes, and the varying instrumentation keeps every song interesting. This album is the poster child for high floor, low ceiling. A really, really good album, but no shining star.

What I would expect from Rolling Stones. More something to have on in the background if I feel like bluesy rock and roll

Easy listening, but nothing terribly dynamic about the album compared to some of their other works. Rather long for what it is.

Exceptional stuff

It's really interesting how this is their longest album and also their most consistent. Their early discography is just extremely inconsistent albums, then last album is pretty consistent and while it is better than this one, this is completely worth listening to the whole way through. An artist who put out 30 minute albums with skips has a double album without any. A

Arguably, Exile on Main Street has The Rolling Stones at their peak, though it isn't hard to debate that their peak lasted longer than just an album or two. This album showcases the Stones' iconic rock sound but also throws back to their blues origins. But because the Stones are never satisfied, there's a touch of jazz. Retrospectively considering their long career, hearing an unusual genre in their music is exciting and refreshing. The xylophone and harmonica combo on "Sweet Black Angel" was another refreshing aspect. And their album opens with a banger of a song, "Rocks Off," to make sure the audience knows rock and roll's their bread and butter.

Literally two days ago, 1001 gave me the Stones' first album. Now this. And what a stark contrast this album is! Exile on Main Street was the Stones' tenth studio album. By this point, they have not only established themselves but released several fairly-consecutive albums where they are fully leaning into what I would call their "true Rolling Stones" sound: more removed from the late 50s/early 60s "rock and roll" sound, bluesy but hard, and very forward Jagger vocal quirkiness. And here's the thing: I would only call two, maybe three of the songs on this album "major hits" for the Stones. Their hits tend to be scattered all over the place and there isn't a big concentration of them on any one album. But that said, when you look at this album as a cohesive product and piece, it is clear to see why this album is so revered; it is no doubt among the best albums that they made, if not THE best album that they made. When most people think of The Rolling Stones, the version of them that is present on this album from start to finish is who they are thinking of.

Nice early Stones, well not early, but when they were still playing R&B and great guitar. 1st time listening through - solid. Awesome album artwork though!

I must be far out in left field because I've never understood the hype regarding this album. To me they have probably half a dozen other albums better than this one. Tumbling Dice is a great classic, but the rest of the songs aren't too memorable.

The Stones deserve their own genre. There’s a reason this band has been successfully recording and playing out for over 60 years. Nobody does exactly what they do on or off the stage. Exile is a solid album, not their huge hits but sonically pleasing. Loving Cup is still one of my favorite Stones songs.

Too long

Noteworthy songs - 808080808 Magical Dream - Kinda catchy synth, but the rest is bland. Ancodia - Good background noise. Cobra Bora - Actually kind of cool, reminds me of Bomberman Hero. Pacific 202 - N64 vibes, but melody isn't great. Donkey Doctor - Nothing too special, weird ending. 808080808 - Really cool beginning. A little slow in the middle but stays interesting enough. Sunrise - Nothing remarkable. The Fat Shadow - Eerie. Very short.

Simply awesome album. Still one I love after all these years.

Some classic songs and some not so classic

Never was a Stones fan. Some few good hits, but that's it. While this album is much more blues than the usual Stones sound, it still didn't fit me.

Like most Rolling Stones albums, a bit bloated, rambling in parts but with some good tunes. Less honky tonk than some other albums which is a good thing. One of the more enjoyable ones I've listened to but after two listens I still couldn't tell you a single song I remember.

Very British in that it invades a foreign land, exports only the good stuff, and profits. But it's also incredible that the Stones proved such a perfect fit for the blues, bringing their own pop-rock sensibilities with them.

A bit meh for me

I’m happy to find a Stones album on here, I’ve said they are a band I need to give more attention to. I have always enjoyed what I have heard but never really delved very deeply into their catalog. That said I’m not super impressed with this album. Maybe it’s because I had this on while working, but nothing really jumped out at me. Good album, quality music, but nothing earth shattering on my first listen.

Stones in Exile in France - somehow a chateau basement becomes the site of pure musical genius (with a trip to LA for tuneups). Rocks off (that horn line), Rip This Joint (tear down the union hall!) Torn and Frayed (always for a certain guitar player). Ventilator Blues (Charlie sounds good tonight, right?) Happy (Keef!), Turd on the Run (she knows what she did) and the last 4 songs on the album might be the best??? That’s a band powerful enough to turn goat piss into gasoline. Excellent album - no filler.

Serviceable but pretty ordinary, bluesy rock -- nothing stood out to me.

I LOVE some Stones albums, but this is not one of them. It’s ok, but there are much better albums to include in the challenge.

This album showed me I'm more of a greatest hits Stones fan Death to harmonicas