Search - Rolling Stones :: Beggars Banquet

Still my favourite Stones album...

Matt Kenway | St Albans, UK | 04/27/2010

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The first time I ever heard "Sympathy For The Devil" I was 15 and it absolutely blew me away. It was all too much - the slyly witty lyrics, the strident bark of Jagger's delivery, the creepy ambience...and when the indecently distorted guitar solo kicked in it was the coolest thing I'd ever heard. It more than deserves its reputation as one of the Stones' finest hours, and repeated listening does nothing to dull the magic. And that's just the first track.



The rest of the album is stuffed with tremendous songs, from the beautifully wistful "No Expectations" to the yearning lyricism of "Jigsaw Puzzle" to the strutting classic "Street Fighting Man" to the seamy celebration of the joys of jailbait that is "Stray Cat Blues" (these were more innocent times), the Stones could do no wrong on this record. It's that rare thing, an album that sounds so damned amazing on a first listen that you know you've just found a new friend for life.



Along with "Sticky Fingers" and "Exile..." this is one of my all-time Stones favourites, and if you've never experienced its seedy pleasures then you're in for a treat. Enjoy!!"