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I doubt whether more words have ever been written, or spoken, about a new album, not just at the time of its release but also ahead of its appearance. So what can I add that hasn't already been written or said about the Rolling Stones "Hackney Diamonds"? In truth probably nothing [but that's not going to stop me], but is it really as good as everybody has said? Undeniably the answer is yes it is as good, or perhaps even better, because this is simply the Rolling Stones back to their imperious best, nothing more, nothing less, with twelve tracks that mix Stones style sleazy rocking and rolling with their take on country blues; funk, soul, and gospel; even punk; and of course the blues.
Lead single and opener "Angry" is a punky rocker that with its bursts of staccato guitar from Richards and Woods has the potential to be a constant in their live set. Second track "Get Close" with Elton John tinkling the ivories and a sumptuous sax break form James King is an archetypical big Stones sleazy rocker that can hold its head-up among their '70's oeuvre as Jagger sings of "wanting to get close to you". Things then calm down with the power-ballad "Depending On You", it's another with potential to become a classic, just listen for that moment when Steve Jordan's kick-drum comes in.
Possibly my favourite track, or at least a contender for my favourite, "Bite My Head Off" featuring Paul McCartney riffing on scuzzy bass guitar is another hard rocking punky number that could give the safety-pinned spikey-haired upstarts of the class of '76 a run for their money without breaking into a sweat. "Whole Wide World" that follows keeps up the rocking tempo, another with punky undertones but it's set apart by its sheer quality [and the guitar solo]. And after the rocking, the country blues "Dreamy Skies" calms things down, the Stones have always enjoyed a touch of the hillbilly honky-tonks and this one is up there with the best of them in the "Dead Flowers" mould.
"Mess It Up" is a mid-tempo rocker with a touch of funk as Jagger dusts down his falsetto before Elton John returns joining old boys Charlie Watts and Bill Wyman for the straight-ahead snarling rocker "Live by the Sword", it's another that have could have come from the Stones' early seventies catalogue. "Driving Me Too Hard" that follows is a mid-tempo rocker with touches of the Stones '80s template before the beautiful sumptuous stripped-back ballad "Tell Me Straight" has Richards taking-over the vocal duties,,it's not quite up there with "Thief In The Night" but I've always enjoyed these Richards' interludes and this one is no exception, my only complaint is that at less than three minutes it's too short.
Penultimate track "Sweet Sounds of Heaven" was the second single released ahead of the album. With Lady Gaga and Stevie Wonder sitting-in this gospel-tinged soul number is nothing short of gob-smacking with its "improvised" coda putting it beyond perfection, even at seven minutes plus it's too short. Changing direction and closing the album is a simple stripped-down cover of Muddy Water's "Rolling Stone Blues" with Jagger showing he's lost none of the touches that made him one of the all-time best blues harmonica players; is this a way of closing the circle that started with a Muddy Waters record on platform two of Dartford railway station sixty-two years ago?
And that's it. These "Hackney Diamonds" may have been a long time in coming but they're quintessentially the essence of the Rolling Stones, a mix of styles yes but there's not a duffer amongst them, and as an album it's a near perfect 11 [I could argue that in parts it's perhaps a little overproduced but that's splitting hairs]. You may perhaps quibble with its lack of originality, the Stones have never been scared to borrow from others but with "Hackney Diamonds" they've stuck close to the knitting drawing inspiration from across their years and not repeating past mistakes by being influenced by short-term musical zeitgeists. If this turns out to be the Stones' last studio release [and on the basis of this showing let's hope there's still more to come] then they are going out on a high and with contributions from friends, peers, contemporaries and old boys this is more than just another record, it's a celebration of their incredible longevity and the esteem in which they're held by their peers, disappointingly though 30 year veteran sideman bassist Darry Jones doesn't put in an appearance.
5 stars, probably the best new release this year, certainly the longest awaited return to form.
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Got Me Rockin!
Hackney Diamonds was definitely worth the wait! I was instantly pulled in from start to finish. The Rolling Stones still sound great today! I also love the artwork and the special guest appearance list. Thank you for your music! 🤘✌️
Top reviews from other countries
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OTÁVIO EUGÊNIO RODRIGUES DE OLIVEIRAReviewed in Brazil on 9 December 2024
A dinamica dos Stones é unica, apesar de suas cronologias .
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- KarenMReviewed in the United States on 21 October 2023
The Rolling Stones come roaring back with the energetic and fun album Hackney Diamonds
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