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Album Review: The Rolling Stones, "A Bigger Bang" (Virgin)
It was 1997 when The Rolling Stones last released a brand new album--and most fans were pretty disappointed. Now comes the band's first release of the 21st Century. At last, "A Bigger Bang" proves good things come to those who wait.
The new disc presents a rejuvenated Rolling Stones line-up. Sure, they're in their 60s, but apparently there's still some good ol' rock 'n' roll in those creaky bones. The evidence can be found in the five or six terrific up-tempo tracks on "Bang."
And with that many rockers, "A Bigger Bang" should live up to Stones' fans expectations. "Rough Justice" is the best version of "Brown Sugar" the Stones have recorded since "Start Me Up," while "Sweet Neo Con," offers biting commentary on American policymakers. Sings Mick, "If you're really so astute/You should invest in Brown and Root."
Elsewhere, the group gives a nod to their roots with the bluesy, "Back of My Hand." They get "Harlem Shuffle"-funky on "Rain Fall Down," and Keith even gets his own barroom-ballad, the weepy "This Place is Empty."
No doubt, these are not your, uh, grandfather's Rolling Stones. The tunes don't consistently live up to past performances--but for a bunch of 60-somethings, the Stones have finally rediscovered how to rock. It took them long enough.
