This was the first Stones album to be entirely written by Jagger and Richards, and, after a promising opening track with Paint It Black it quickly becomes problematic, to say the least. The level of misogyny here is quite jaw dropping, from calling women ‘Stupid Girls’ to wishing they were ‘Under My Thumb’ as revenge for asking to be treated as equals. On side two they then wonder why they are having a hard time living on their own. You do the math, Mick.
Too bad their lyrics suck this much. Musically, it starts with a strong hit, Paint It Black is still one of their best song. It continues with interesting instrumentals, experimentations, interesting sounds from a wide range of instruments. When I think of experimentation from this era, their rival comes directly in my mind but I don't think of the Stones, and that was my mistake. But everything is tainted by their awful, offending lyrics. Might have been 4 of 5 stars.