A Bigger Bang

1 rating: 5.0

An album by The Rolling Stones

It should come as no surprise that it took sex, disease and death to shake the Rolling Stones out of their latest creative dry spell. Leading up to the making ofA Bigger Bang, produced byDon Was, Mick Jagger endured a very public break-up with Jerry … see full wiki

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Reinventing the Steel Wheel

May 10, 2006

by JP_Rocky_Raccoon
posted in Music Matters

Rating:

Critical accaim has heralded this album as the best Rolling Stones album in decades, not just years. Cynicism and disbelief creep in one's mind until one gives 'A Bigger Bang' a listen. The Rolling Stones have reinvented themselves by going back to and improving on their basics. In the process they've created selections that barely gather any moss. The album starts off with "Rough Justice," a song that gives an immediacy to listeners that they've been yearning. Surveying the tracks, "It Won't Take Long," "Oh, No Not You Again," and "Driving Too Fast" are also riveting. (The latter song lives up to its title.) They've also perfected their old blues affinity with "Back of Hand".

Not every worthwhile song goes fast forward, though. "Streets of Love" reveal a vulnerable Mick Jagger, only glimpsed at on "Out of Tears" (from 'Voodoo Lounge'). He also wears his anguish on his sleeve well on "Laugh, I Nearly Died" and "Biggest Mistake". Musically, the songs are top quality throughout, even if lyrically, they come out as a mixed bag. "Look What the Cat Dragged In" is engaging even if it is about what we'd expect from the band. However, "Sweet Neo Con," is good musically, but the lyrics, while sincere, make Mick seem like he's ranting. "Infamy" is a good closer for its haunting atmospherics.

'A Bigger Bang' lives up to its title. It also doesn't follow a formula where many songs seem to flow together with minor changes. Variety is achieved by crafting each song more skillfully and individually. Subjectively, this C.D. represents their best album in a long time. (Certainly it is better than their latter day classics 'Some Girls' and 'Tattoo You'.) Rolling Stones' fans shouldn't be afraid to give this one a try. If everyone bought this album, at least the cheap jokes from Late Night TV would just fade away ("The Rolling Bones" et al).

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