The Rolling Stones

By 1978, the Stones had sunk into such self-parody that another album could only be viewed as an exercise in cynicism. But Some Girls astounded the world as one their very best records. From the disco sleaze of "Miss You" to Keith's high-water mark, "Before They Make Me Run," and the punk-dumb gem "Shattered," this is one of those records you need.

Q: Do you think the music of the Rolling Stones has an overall theme? A: Yeah. Women.
–Keith Richards With Bob Dylan no longer bringing it all back home, Elvis Presley dead and
the Beatles already harmlessly cloned in the wax-museum nostalgia of a Broadway musical,
it's no wonder the Rolling Stones decided to make a serious record. Not particularly
ambitious, mind you, but serious. These guys aren't dumb, and when the handw... More >

The Stones' best album since Exile on Main Street is also their easiest since Let It Bleed or before. They haven't gone for a knockdown uptempo classic, a "Brown Sugar" or "Jumping Jack Flash"--just straight rock and roll unencumbered by horn sections or Billy Preston. Even Jagger takes a relatively direct approach, and if he retains any credibility for you after six years of dicking around, there should be no agonizing over whether you like this record, no waiting for tunes to kick in. Lyrically, there are some bad moments--especially on the title cut, which is too f*cking indirect to suit me--but in general the abrasiveness seems personal, earned, unposed, and the vulnerability more genuine than ever. Also, the band is a real good one--especially the drummer. (Grade - A)