Stones Keep Rolling with "A Bigger Bang"

By Ian Rice
Arts and Lifestyle Editor 

 When listening to a later-era Rolling Stones album, there is one fatal mistake that virtually anyone can make: comparing said album to earlier, "classic" releases. And while the band's first album in almost a decade might be alot of things, it is not a sweeping artistic statement like Beggar's Banquet or Sticky Fingers. But that is okay, given what A Bigger Bang really is: a straight-ahead rock and roll showcase that reveals the Stones in a very accomplished place. Granted, these songs (or any songs included on recent Stones efforts) don't hit as hard or with such dirty, hungry passion as tracks from Exile On Main Street or Let It Bleed. But Mick and Keith are miles away from those days of cocaine-fed desperation. Now they sit atop the mountain as rock's greatest elder statesmen, doing what they've always done best - whatever they want, whenever they want. Even though overly critical listeners might discard newer Stones releases for not being like their earlier counterparts, what they fail to realize is that while the tones might have changed, the attitude remains intact.

Give the Stones credit, they're not afraid to try things out and A Bigger Bang provides no exception to that rule. But while some of their past attempts fell flat ("Gunface" from Bridges to Babylon comes to mind), the ones included on A Bigger Bang prove quite successful. Witness "Rain Fall Down," which finds the band (most likely under Mick's suggestion) experimenting with some of the reggae/dancehall rhythms and beats that colored alot of their late '70's flashes of brilliance ("Fool to Cry," et. al.). Whereas in the past these sort of dabblings found the Stones out of their element, those found on Bang find them comfortable and remarkably adept.

The album opens with "Rough Justice" (which also serves as its first single), a thoroughly energetic track complete with a classic Open-G riff from Keith and a beautiful slid run from Ronnie. If this was the best that Bang had to offer, the Stones would be in great shape. But luckily there's much better material in store. "Rough Justice" gives way to "Let Me Down Slow," a more country-tinged acoustic/electric blend that Ronnie and Keith both color with some brilliant slide flourishes. From there it's a healthy dose of Keith trademark dirty boogie with "It Won't Take Long." Here, Keith further earns his "Keef Riffhard" nickname as he turns in one of his best and most seductive guitar rhythms to date.

Perhaps the biggest surprise of A Bigger Bang comes in its candidate for strongest track. "This Place Is Empty," an acoustic/piano tune, is just a simply wonderful song and finds Keith taking on lead vocal duties. Although his voice is the less refined of the Jagger/Richards duo, Keith has rarely sounded better than he does here and proves once and for all that he is the heart of The Rolling Stones.

The Stones are firing on all cylinders with A Bigger Bang and one would be hard pressed to find many releases that were stronger this year. Bang simply has no dead spots, even when the band treads onto safer ground ("She Saw Me Coming," "Oh No Not You Again"), the mixture of Keith's tone, Ronnie's colorful additions, Charlie's classic backbone and Mick's always-steady vocals are magic enough to keep things very alive. In fact, the only real shame about the tracks on Bang is the sad reality that most of them won't ever see the light of day in a concert setting, as the band has to make room for the perrenial classics that have filled their sets for years. But that's a minimal complaint and one always has to record to refer back to.

Those expecting another going-through-the-motions, paint-by-numbers effort from The Rolling Stones will undoubtedly be surprised by A Bigger Bang and will most certainly have their faith in the band restored. I know mine has been, that's for sure.