Exile on Main Street
I’ve been a fan of The Rolling Stones since I was a young child. My father has an extensive vinyl collection and the Stones are a focal point. A couple of friends of mine, as well as many rock critics feel Exile on Main Street is one of the best, if not the best Stones album. I’ve always strongly disagreed. IMO Exile is good, not great.
I’ve been listening to a lot of The Rolling Stones albums lately and I decided to give Exile another chance. I’ve always thought there are at least four stronger Stones’ albums. Let’s see if that holds true as I revist to my collection.
Simply put I think Exile on Main Street is very poorly recorded. The vocals are unintelligible on many tracks and on certain tracks the instruments don’t mesh well. The album also has a Americana / Honky Tonk sound which I don’t like. My favorite Stones albums typically have a bluesy or garage feel to them. Depending on my mood I even like some of the Stones’, funk and disco better.
I think Exile on Main Street would make a very good single length album. I realize that part of the reason I don’t like Exile is because I get tired of the album, long before I make it through all four sides. Exile is one of the few key Stones’ albums I don’t have on my PC. At some point soon I’m going to buy Exile. I want to be able to mix and match my songs better than I can do with vinyl.
In the album’s defense I have not heard a re-mastered version of it.
I’m not saying it’s rubbish. I really like Exile on Main Street. In fact after going through this exercise I’m going to listen to more of it. However, there are better Stone’s albums. I’ve always said there are at least 4 stronger Stones albums. Let it Bleed (I wish it had the live version of Midnight Rambler as found on Get Yer Ya-Ya’s Out), Beggars Banquets, Aftermath (Great Blues Sound) & Sticky Fingers. But now I’m actually going to say there are at least 7 stronger albums. In addition to the previous four:
Flowers - It’s really Good.
Between the Buttons - Better then Exile.
Goats Head Soup – I hadn’t listened to this album in a while. It is really underrated. I think it is at least on par with, if not better than Exile. According to Wikipedia “At the time of release, Jagger said, “I really feel close to this album, and I really put all I had into it… I guess it comes across that I’m more into songs. It wasn’t as vague as the last album which kind of went on so long that I didn’t like some of the things. There’s more thought to this one. ”
“100 years” has great funk and soul. “Coming Down Again” is awesome especially with Keith Richards on vocals. “Hearbreaker” is soulful and funky. I’ve always been partial to “Angie” since it’s my grandmothers name. Regardless it is a beautiful song. “Hide Your Love” is on par with any of the blues jams on Exile. And lastly how can you not like “Star Fucker Star?”
Out of Our Heads & Undercover – But both are good albums. Okay Exile is better. But Undercover is really gritty and a fun listen.
I haven’t listened to Some Girls or Tattoo You recently so I can’t rank them. Come to think of it. I don’t think I’ve ever heard Some Girls. It is one of the few albums my father doesn’t have. Hmmmm, I wondering if having two year old when the album was released has something to do with it.
Song by Song here is my critique of Exile:
Rocks off – Very good song. This song has grown on me the most. I’m not a fan of the poor mix and unintelligible lyrics. There is also something about the horns I don’t like. “And I only get my rocks off while I’m dreaming, I only get my rocks off while I’m sleeping.” is actually a great line. But the mix is so unintelligible you can’t hear Jagger. Tons of soul and passion.
Rip this Joint - it’s a really good song. Chuck Berryesque, kind of wild, with a bunch of instruments in a Johnny B good sort of way.
Shake your hips – A crappy rendition of a blues song. Great bass and good guitar, with Mick trying too hard on the vocals. Guitar work is very good.
Casino Boogie – great sax work, but again the vocals are lost.
Tumbling Dice – Great song, probably my fav on Exile
Sweet Virginia – too Honky Tonk
Torn & Frayed – Honky tonk, but okay.
Sweet Black Angel – Nice country-esque ballad
Loving Cup – one of my fav’s off Exile
Happy – One of the best songs on Exile
Turd on the run – Nothing Special
Ventilator Blues- Great Blues song
I Just Want To See His Face - dark murky and delicious
Let it loose – great soulful Ballad
All Down the Line – horrible lyrics, good guitar solo
Stop Breaking Down – Great bluesy feel. I forgot this was on exile
Shine a Light – Beautiful song
Soul Survivor – Better than I remember it, but horribly recorded
