When you think the stone is dead, you always have to rely on the Rolling Stones to come and save it. Having not released any original material since 2005, Mick Jagger, Keith Richards and Ron Wood – and briefly the late Charlie Watts – are on board Hackney Diamondsa solid offering that takes us back to what the group did best in the 1970s.
“We were lazy!” said the Stones when asked why they hadn’t recorded a new album in 18 years. It must also be said that the musicians, all of whom are almost 80 years old (Jagger got it this summer, Richards will have it in December and Wood in four years), are still regularly putting on concerts the size of the planet.
While others, much younger, are enjoying a peaceful retirement, the London rockers have never slowed down despite the death of their drummer Charlie Watts in August 2021.
So it was somewhat unexpected that the Stones would emerge this fall with a new album with Watts on two tracks (Live By the Sword, Mess It Up).
The Stones didn’t want to work alone, as Hackney Diamonds includes performances from Elton John, Lady Gaga, Paul McCartney, Stevie Wonder and original Stones bassist Bill Wyman, no less!
Earlier this week we already saw some reviews of the album circulating. British media were very complimentary, saying it was the Stones’ best record in more than four decades.
The Rolling Stones release a new album, Hackney Diamonds. With kind approval
And then our verdict? This is indeed an excellent offer. When listening to the album, we sometimes have to consider that these musicians are almost all in their eighties because they are so energetic. Jagger appears to be in great shape and his voice is impressive to say the least. You could swear you heard a 40-year-old singer!
Several highlights
This first original CD since 2005’s A Bigger Bang contains, as we recall, 12 tracks, almost all of which have strong moments. The opening song “Angry” and its guitar riff transport us straight to the 1970s. Also worth seeing is the music video with sexy Sydney Sweeney swaying on the roof of a convertible in the middle of Sunset Boulevard.
On the fourth, Bite My Head Off, we find very hard rock with almost grunge accents. Paul McCartney is coming to do a little tour. “Come on, Paul. Let’s hear something!” Jagger tells him. The finale is breathtaking. Sweets!
This is immediately followed by “Whole Wide World”, another energetic piece with a very present guitar. After the rustic Dreamy Skies, Mess It Up brings the tempo back up to the ceiling.
The Rolling Stones release a new album, Hackney Diamonds. Courtesy of Mark Seliger. Courtesy of Mark Seliger
When we hear “Tell Me Straight,” we quickly notice that Mick Jagger has left his microphone to…Keith Richards! The guitarist delivers a very nice, reserved piece.
Released as an excerpt last month, Sweet Sounds of Heaven is a fantastic duet between Jagger and Lady Gaga, accompanied by piano by Stevie Wonder. Gaga is spectacular here to say the least and pushes the grade very high.
The whole thing ends with a very effective cover of Rollin’ Stone by Muddy Waters, here called Rolling Stone Blues. The Stones, who had just released an album of blues covers in 2016 (Blue & Lonesome), are rediscovering their old love.
If this album turns out to be the last of their career, they’ll be leaving with a bang! But considering how good the musicians are and that they’re still having fun like before, we can expect anything from them.
**** (4 stars