Undercover was the first Rolling Stones album not to reach number one in the United States in almost a decade. This was probably appropriate as it is one of the weakest albums in the Stones catalogue.
The Rolling Stones had spent a year touring and were back in the studio. Keith Richards was sober (for the most part) and was challenging Mick Jagger’s control of the recording process.
Their constant bickering produced an album of songs with such topics as politics, serial killers, drug use, and S&M (sadomasochism). These topics may have appeared in the Rolling Stones repertoire before, but here they were connected to poorly conceived and executed songs.
Undercover is the first Stones album that sounds more like a business decision rather than a rock ‘n’ roll album. Recording techniques had improved, but this did not help the Stones sound. The songs were slick and for the most part over-produced.
The Rolling Stones were also financially secure. They had just signed a new muti-album deal with CBS for $28,000,000 dollars. Part of the deal gave the record company the rights to re-release any of their older material back to 1971. Mick Jagger figured at the time that you could only recycle their material on so many albums. What he did not predict was the advent of CD’s which meant that every album in the Stones inventory would be reissued enabling the company to earn millions of dollars at the groups expense.
The title song, “Undercover (Of The Night),” would be a hit single reaching number nine on the American National charts. I will give the Stones credit for trying something new even if it was not a complete success. Jagger and Richards combined political themed lyrics with a slick rhythm track. Today this song sounds dated, but it was very danceable in the clubs of the era.
Article comments
1 - Douglas Mays
You know, same thing. This album never grabbed me in any way. I've heard it maybe 3 times in my life. And that covers my need.
In the big picture it does present a chapter in the story of the Rolling Stones. It does have a purpose, I guess.
2 - JC Mosquito
I liked the title track, but I'd concur - I just don't play this album ever.
3 - Andrew
I Concur .... mostly, but I've revisited Too Much Blood a good few times I must admit.
4 - 8498693
Have to basically agree. Over the years She Was Hot and Wanna Hold You have grown on me .. and there's something about Too Much Blood I always liked.
I think the 12 inch long version of 'Feel On Baby' was probably the worst thing to ever come from them.
5 - thomasG
Worst Stones album ever - hands down. No dramatic build, no point. "Pretty Beat Up" is best groove thang on it (would be fab hip-hop sample IMO). "Wanna Hold You" is Keith going back to the basics and it's cool. Nifty lead (a bit of wah-wah too, I think). Sometimes it's fun to listen to a few of the tracks played in with other Stones trax on a self-made compilation. "She Was Hot" was great concert song in 2006 in LA. Better than the record by far.
6 - lingmeow
She Was Hot burns up the soundtrack on "Shine a Light" Ronnie and Keiths'rip roaring guitar dueling along with the building tempo and perfectly timed keyboard riffs makes that version an instant classic