Tag: The Rolling Stones

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

Film Review: Zappa (Magnolia Pictures)

By: Jesse Striewski

Many a year ago, I was minding my own business and listening to music at a friend’s house, when suddenly his dad emerged into the room and proclaimed, “you need to hear this!” He quickly removed whatever punk record we were listening to at the time, swiftly replacing it with a Frank Zappa album. Of course my instant reaction was “what in the world is this?!” before realizing I was already in love (thanks Andrew). So it’s a thrill seeing the late Zappa’s life and work finally compiled into cinematic form.

Directed by Alex Winter (of Bill & Ted fame), Zappa uses archive footage and interviews to tell the story of one of the most brilliantly inventive and diverse musicians in our lifetimes, but does so in a way that still feels fresh and new. A host of various family members, producers, and numerous celebrities/musicians that range from The Beatles, David Bowie, The Rolling Stones, and Alice Cooper, all help move the story along in the right direction.

It’s obvious Winter is a fan himself, and has treated the material here with the utmost respect and dignity. It’s a fitting tribute to a deserving icon that even the most casual of fans should view for themselves.

Rating: 4/5 Stars