The Rolling Stones

The original (U.K.) release of Between The Buttons doesn't contain the hits "Let's Spend The Night Together" and "Ruby Tuesday" like the U.S. version does. However, listening to the U.K. edition, it's easier to focus on the group's underrated stab at dark baroque pop. "Back Street Girl" and "She Smiled Sweetly" are flowery highlights.

Accused of psychedelia, Beatlephobia, and murky mix syndrome, this underrated keeper is distinguished by complex rhymes, complex sexual stereotyping, and the non-blues, oh-so-rock-and-roll pianos of Ian Stewart, Jack Nitzsche, Nicky Hopkins, and Brian Jones. Like all Beatles and Stones albums till that time, it was released in different American and British versions. The surefire U.S.-only "Let's Spend the Night Together"/"Ruby Tuesday" single parlay is almost too much because its greatness is understood--"Back Street Girl," bumped to the Flowers compilation released later that year, more closely resembles such gemlike songs of experience as "Connection," "My Obsession," and "She Smiled Sweetly." Capper: Mick and Keith's zonked music-hall "Something Happened to Me Yesterday," the Stones' drollest odd-track-out ever. (Grade - )