The song, “Dangerous Beauty,” really defines this album. It is just Mick, Charlie and Keith laying down some basic rock ‘n’ roll. I can’t help but wish that there was more music of this type.
“Rough Justice” is the lead track and informs the listener that all is fine with The Rolling Stones. Keith’s guitar and Mick’s strong vocals combine together to drive the song along. “Let Me Down Slow” contains a line that says; “are you coloring your hair with some new kind of dye?” This short verse just about somes up the members of the Stones as they had entered their sixties.
A Bigger Bang contains a number of other worthwhile songs. “Rain Fall Down” is a power ballad type number with a Mick Jagger falsetto that harps back twenty years or so. “This Place is Empty” finds Keith giving what appears to be a tired lead vocal which is just about perfect for him after all these years. “Oh No, Not You Again,” is a classic Rolling Stones track with Keith and Ronnie meshing their guitar sound into a solid rock ‘n’ roll romp. “Back Of My Mind” may be the best track on the album as it returns the Stones to their blues roots.
The only real miss on the album is the political, anti-Bush, anti-Washington, “Sweet Neo Con.” Political views aside, 2005 was not a year that I wanted to hear non Americans criticizing this country, especially when it was a poorly constructed song.
A Bigger Bang proves that The Rolling Stones can still produce credible and relevant rock ‘n’ roll. Mick Jagger has stated that he likes this album and that’s good enough for me. Hopefully there will be more to come.
Article comments
1 - Glen Boyd
So whats next? The Beatles? Dylan? Spinal Tap? Enquiring minds want to know.
-Glen
2 - JC Mosquito
Thanx for your overviews, David. I can't imagine what's next......... who else has 29 albums to review?
- Skeeter.
3 - Andrew
... and thankfully some of the songs from the album got a live airing during the tour.
4 - Allen
Yea enjoyed all these weeks revisting the Stones, learned alot. Thanks