We have a thread where someone asks for essential albums by the Stones but this is the thread to discuss everything The Rolling Stones. Here is a band that in my opinion are every bit as good as The Beatles ever were. I have vivid recollections of my dad playing their music when I was young and him jamming out to their music on Sunday afternoons while we had a barbecue.

So yeah, they are a bit reflective for me. When I first got into music, I went for The Beatles first but I won't sway from my equal love for both of them. I remember Mark telling me that they were nothing more than a "singles band" and although that is a good argument, I don't agree with it. Besides their string of four masterpieces from 1968-1972—squeezing in a superb live album in between that—they have a massive collection of classic albums.

The Jagger/Richards tandem is one of the greatest songwriting teams of all time and they go toe to toe with anyone else. They have lost steam over the years but when I saw them live a few years back it was one of the greatest experiences of my life. These men made some of the best music of all time and they are truly one of the best bands of all time.

Question:
What is your favorite album by The Rolling Stones?

Choices:
The Rolling Stones (England's Newest Hit Makers)
12 X 5
The Rolling Stones, Now!
Out of Our Heads
Aftermath
Between the Buttons
Flowers
Their Satanic Majesties Request
Beggars Banquet
Let it Bleed
Get Yer Ya-Ya's Out! (Live)
Sticky Fingers
Exile on Main St.
Some Girls
Tattoo You
A Bigger Bang

 

Tough call. I didn't vote.

I love me some Stones. I might say they have the best catalog of songs of any band in rock, even the Beatles and Dylan.

68-72, of course, is amazing. I don't think they could write a bad song at that point. Let it Bleed used to be my favorite, but I think Beggars Banquet may be a tad better. Like Let it Bleed, you've got perfect opening and closing tracks, but you've also got the awesomely rocking "Street Fighting Man" right in the middle.

I'm also a fan of pre-Beggars Banquet Stones, but I think they work a little better as a singles band, but their early singles are fantastic.

After Exile on Main Street, I find it hard to get into them on an album basis, though they did still manage to crank out some classic songs. Some of my favorite post-72 Stones songs are "Doo Doo Doo Doo Doo (Heartbreaker)", "Angie", "Undercover of the Night", "Beast of Burdon", "Emotional Rescue" and "Waiting on a Friend".

I didn't vote either and don't know when I will because they have such an immense catalog. I feel that they had that perfect knack for writing great hits, time after time.

Much of the reason why their post-Exile is shoddy is because of Mick Jagger's "boredom" with rock music. It was somewhat prevalent on that album because you can sense his rather minor role on it. I love it for all its worth and when I play it—especially on vinyl—there is so much to love on each of the four sides. I think they did a magnificent job of sequencing their albums and crafted some of the best of all time.

I also agree that even before those four years of unbridled brilliance, they were one tremendous band. Even their hazy, psychedelic Majesties album is a great one.

everything after exile is average imo. exile, beggars banquet, and let it bleed (not in that order) are my top 3. other than those, i think the stones are more of a singles band. their 3 disc "london years" compilation is awesome

whoa. eric i read your post after it took me back to mine, i expected to get bashed for calling the stones a singles band pre BB, glad to see we agree on that

Well, I didn't really mean that as a diss. I think Between The Buttons and Aftermath are good, probably better albums than most of their contempories.

I adore the Stones for giving us such rich work. Jagger wrote some of the best lyrics of all time through the 60's and 70's, nailing just to list a few examples; consumerism, social unrest and the culture of therapy better and earlier than just about anyone.

The arrangements and ambience of their classic period are peerless. Somehow, they tapped into an energy that seems depthless.

Above all, they are pure fucking sex through speakers. In an age now where nearly every band is bloodless and without sensuality, the Stones still, even in 2008 swing and leer and sweat with muscularity and heat; and at their height were the horniest band on earth. That's rock and roll, in its' original meaning.

I voted Beggars' Banquet, mostly because when I first heard it, somewhere around the age of 14, I couldn't believe a band could rock so hard with so much acoustic instrumentation, and my eyes were pried open to the possibilities of pop ular music.

oh...and a lot of their post Exile work is magnificent.
Who else could have written 'Shattered' or 'Waiting on a friend'

I agree it's a tough choice... but man up and pick moderators! Show some backbone...

Tough choice, but I think it's pretty clear that Exile is the one to vote for: arguably one of the greatest double-lps ever put out, not a bum song on it, and the flow works so well. Plus the back story about being tax exiles and recording in basements under the influence of god-knows-what gives the art another level to it.

quote:

Originally posted by crob3888:
Tough choice, but I think it's pretty clear that Exile is the one to vote for: arguably one of the greatest double-lps ever put out, not a bum song on it, and the flow works so well. Plus the back story about being tax exiles and recording in basements under the influence of god-knows-what gives the art another level to it.

I think Exile is a very good double album, but I hesitate to say that it's as solid as Beggars Banquet or Let It Bleed. Maybe even Sticky Fingers.

I'm a little sad to see that Let It Bleed has only received one vote. That's a classic. I've also heard that that is Keith Richards' favorite Stones album. I wasn't alive in 1969, but I can only imagine what "Gimme Shelter" sounded like coming out of the speakers for the first time back then.

I love Exile and that's the one I am leaning towards to choosing. I am surprised to hear that Richards doesn't consider it to be his favorite since he contributed so much to it. Personally, I have a deep love for it because of how amazing it sounded to me the first time I heard it.

I would have to say that they are all tough choices though. But don't worry dudeness, I will make my choice soon.

quote:

Originally posted by FragileKidA:
I love Exile and that's the one I am leaning towards to choosing. I am surprised to hear that Richards doesn't consider it to be his favorite since he contributed so much to it. Personally, I have a deep love for it because of how amazing it sounded to me the first time I heard it.

There are various quotes through the years from Mick and Keith asking them what their favorite Stones albums were. They usually say Beggars Banquet and/or Let It Bleed. Sticky Fingers and Exile usually get listed as two of the better albums, but not the best. I would agree that Beggars and Bleed are a notch better. I think the songwriting is a bit more focused, where as on the other two it's more about doing the whole sloppy rock n' roll thing. Not to say that there aren't good songs on the latter two, but for some reason they feel more spontaneous as opposed to crafted. Regardless, all four are great albums. Depending on my mood, any one could be my favorite.

Yeah, they each capture a certain style and feel to the Stones. It's still a remarkable feat to have accomplished four masterpieces in such a short period of time. I wonder when that will happen and I mean, happen without an argument. I don't think many could argue that those four albums aren't near perfect and downright exceptional.

I think that Let it Bleed is a bit more concise than the other three but they each have their special gifts throughout. I love how raw each album sounds and their superb musicianship is front and center for all to behold.

Truly, arguably, the best band of all time.