Patrick Pentland
Special to the Star
As the Rolling Stones turn 50, one might exclaim, “What?! Those guys are still around?!” Of course, that would be someone who has been living under a rock (and a hard place), as the Stones have been present and accounted for all these years. While their musical output has slowed, they have continued to release new material, if only for their own enjoyment.
Here is a playlist of “new” Stones songs from the last 30 years that I think deserve a second look.
Undercover of the Night (1983)
The first album to feature an outside producer since Jimmy Miller, this marked the beginning of the famous fights between Jagger and Richards that permeated much of the '80s. It's obvious that Mick was trying to drag Keith into the modern age, given that the guitarist had just emerged from his '70s heroin funk to find himself faced with drum machines and synths. There are dance elements that were new to the Stones sound, which I really liked.
Too Much Blood (1983)
If only for the echoed-out horns and vocals, this tune always stood out to me as an odd mix of Jamaican dub and New York disco. It doesn't really go anywhere, but it was unique nonetheless.
One Hit to the Body (1986)
It's safe to say that Keith had managed to get his senses and some control of the music back. The riffs are very much coming from his open-tuned bashing. You can hear his anger toward Jagger in the opening chords. Suffice to say, there were some kinks to be ironed out between the two.
Sad Sad Sad (1989)
This sounds like an outtake from Keith's other band at the time, the X-pensive Winos. His first album with them as his backing band came out the previous year and you can hear the similarities right off the bat.
Mixed Emotions (1989)
I'm including this because of the refrain at the end of the song, with Keth singing along with Jagger. It seemed to suggest things were improving on the personal front. In fact, the Stones would actually tour for this album and to bigger audiences than ever before. This would also be their last big hit.
Love is Strong (1994)
Not a huge standout, but a single nonetheless. There's that Keith thing about the way the guitars intertwine, “an ancient form of weaving,” as he has famously called it, to chuckles all around. Also, great harmonica playing on Mick's part.
You Got Me Rocking (1994)
Best AC/DC song the Stones ever wrote.
Anybody Seen My Baby (1997)
I really like the chorus on this one, not so much the verse. I'm going to go out on a limb and suggest Keith said, “I've got a great chorus!” And Mick said, “I've got a verse!” And everyone else in the room said, “Well, I guess we need one of those too . . . ”
The last Stones album, A Bigger Bang (2005) is not that great and, at 16 songs, that's saying something. So here are a few solo tunes that probably should have just been Stones songs to begin with:
Take It So Hard (1988)
The first single off of Keith's first solo record. Still one of my faves. I can only imagine what it would sound like with Charlie on the drums. And a real piano . . . what, tight budget?? Get a real piano!
Wicked As It Seems (1992)
Another Keith solo track, slow and insidious, much like the title suggests.
God Gave Me Everything I Want (2001)
Recorded with Lenny Kravitz, and it shows. Like most Kravitz songs, the verse is just an excuse to get to the chorus. Like most of mine, for that matter. Sloan have actually toured with both the Stones and Lenny Kravitz.
Movin' On Up (1991)
so this one's actually by Primal Scream. But it has been called the last great Stones song the Stones didn't write (by me ... just now).
--taken from: Toronto Star
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