Tag: Charlie Watts

Album Review: The Rolling Stones: Foreign Tongues (Polydor/Capitol)

By: Jesse Striewski

Granted I gave the previous Rolling Stones effort Hackney Diamonds a so-so review upon its release in 2023, so my initial reaction to hearing they had yet another new full-length coming out was not exactly that of excitement. But not since 1994’s Voodoo Lounge (the first Stones album I ever actually “bought” on my own when it was newly released) has one of their albums made me sit up and pay so much attention.

“Rough and Twisted” kicks the album off with typical Jagger-Richards fare, though merely serves as a marker for better things to come. And indeed it does; “In the Stars” and “Jealous Lover,” the album’s two singles so far, are easily some of the best songs the band has put out in decades, and it’s a damn shame you won’t be hearing them put into rotation alongside any of their classic hits (God forbid radio stations actually support new music anymore from the bands they play. But hey, gotta save room for “Jumpin’ Jack Flash” at least a dozen times a day!)

“Divine Intervention” and “Ringing Hollow” are some more of the memorable tracks here, while “Hit Me in the Head” and bonus track “Bad Luck Hideaway” each feature previously-recorded work from late drummer Charlie Watts for likely the final time ever.

Sure, there may be a filler track or two found on it, or even some songs that perhaps linger on a little longer than they need to – but overall, Foreign Tongues is another solid effort from a band that’s long since been masters of their own craft; give it a spin if you’re as tired of hearing “Start Me Up” as I am, yet still hold an appreciation for the likes of one of rock’s greatest acts ever.

Rating: 3.5/5 Stars

Album Review: The Rolling Stones – Hackney Diamonds (Polydor/Geffen)

By: Jesse Striewski

Who knew I’d be reviewing a new album from The Rolling Stones in 2023, and it’d actually be well above average material at that? This Christmas almost felt comparable to when I actually received my first Stones album, Voodoo Lounge, as a Christmas gift all the way back in 1994.

Hackney Diamonds, the band’s first album since 2016 (and first one of all new material since 2005’s A Bigger Bang), reminded me much of said Voodoo Lounge album. It is also unfortunately now their final album to feature late drummer Charlie Watts on the tracks “Mess It Up” and “Live by the Sword,” each great tracks and recorded prior to his death in 2021.

Beginning with lead off track/single “Angry,” the entire album sounds fresh, and Jagger and Richards are on top of their writing game here (with the assistance of Producer Andrew Watt on three tracks as well). The legendary Paul McCartney lends bass to “Bite My Head Off” (which no doubt stands out as one of the strongest numbers here), and even former Stones bassist Bill Wyman makes an appearance alongside Watts on said “Live By the Sword.”

I suppose the seven-plus minute ballad “Sweet Side of Heaven,” featuring both Lady Gaga on co-vocals and Stevie Wonder on piano/keyboards, should be the song to gush over here. But for my money, “Get Close,” “Depending on You,” “Whole Wide World,” and “Driving Me Too Hard” are all far more superior. And should this be the last studio album the world ever receives from The Rolling Stones (which I truly hope it is not), it’s one hell of a way to go out for sure.

Rating: 4.5/5 Stars