34. Out of Our Heads - Rolling Stones
This album is the first on the list that I actually already own on vinyl. I have been waiting for this one, longing to actually pull the LP out of the cover and listen to the songs in Mono, as opposed to some digitally remastered copy. It seems to be the appropriate way to enjoy these albums. After some digging around in the closet, I finally located the album, blew the dust off of the turntable, and let it rip. I've listened to this record several times, and am far more familiar with it than many I have posted on previously. The one drawback is the fact that my turntable is nowhere near my computer. Hence the delay in posting for those of you I've kept waiting, grinding your teeth in anticipation of more gritty analysis of fifty-plus year old albums. For this I apologize. The solution is to post using my iPhone, instead of using the iPhone to play the music. So far, I have found the blogger app to be fairly user friendly. I'll have to read this again on the computer several times before publishing, to ensure there are no autocorrect nightmares that I might have to apologize for. Believe me, you are the last people I would want to offend.
So let's get to the record, shall we? I love it. The songs are a mix of covers and originals, borrowing from the R& B records that the Stones had cut their teeth on. Right from the first notes of Otis Redding's "Mercy Mercy" it's a solid effort. The intro to that song is a simple guitar riff that I find compelling; the crackle of the needle and the gentle fuzz on the guitar create a nice mood and then we are off and running. "Hitchhike" is another cover, originally recorded by Marvin Gaye. The first original Stones tune we hear is "The Last Time" with it's hypnotically repetitive guitar riff and almost country feel. Then it is right back into R&B with a cover of Otis Redding's "That's How Strong My Love Is". For a bunch of English white boys they tap into the soul of R&B quite competently. "Good Times" continues the trend as they cover a Sam Cooke tune.
The guitar sound is a little fuzzy but very intriguing. The leads have grabbed my attention several times. The first side finishes off with a live tune that showcases the band's growing fan base with exuberant screams from the audience. "I'm Alright" is written by Nanker Phelge, a pseudonym used by the band for songs written by the group as a whole. It's not their best tune, but the audience loves it, and it is a nice finish to the first side of the album. And since I was listening on vinyl, I had to actually get up and turn the record over. I love that.
Side two starts with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". I really don't think I need to say anything about that track, as it is one of the most famous songs ever written. It is followed up by "Cry To Me" another soul cover, originally by Bert Russell. "The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man" is straight ahead blues, and it is the first of two Nanker Phelge offerings, the second being my favourite track on the album, "Play With Fire". The lyrics are brilliant and the guitar work is excellent, I think it is one of the best songs in the Rolling Stones' catalogue. The music is intricate and pretty, and the lyrics are a thinly veiled threat. I like the way that fits together.
The album finishes with two blues tracks. "The Spider and the Fly" is a slower number, and the final tune is "One More Try", which is more upbeat, and delivers a positive message to keep a cool head and be persistent. Given the alleged history of the band, I would imagine this is more a coping strategy for when your regular drug supply has been cut off than career advice.
So that's it. Well worth the wait. An excellent album in my opinion, it lacks the polish that would come with later Stones records, but the original tracks showcase the songwriting talent of the band, and the cover tunes are very well done. Wikipedia lists Phil Spector, our gun toting producer friend, as playing detuned bass on "Play With Fire". It's interesting to note how certain names seem to pop up repeatedly. Rolling Stone magazine placed this one at number 114 on the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
Side two starts with "(I Can't Get No) Satisfaction". I really don't think I need to say anything about that track, as it is one of the most famous songs ever written. It is followed up by "Cry To Me" another soul cover, originally by Bert Russell. "The Under Assistant West Coast Promotion Man" is straight ahead blues, and it is the first of two Nanker Phelge offerings, the second being my favourite track on the album, "Play With Fire". The lyrics are brilliant and the guitar work is excellent, I think it is one of the best songs in the Rolling Stones' catalogue. The music is intricate and pretty, and the lyrics are a thinly veiled threat. I like the way that fits together.
The album finishes with two blues tracks. "The Spider and the Fly" is a slower number, and the final tune is "One More Try", which is more upbeat, and delivers a positive message to keep a cool head and be persistent. Given the alleged history of the band, I would imagine this is more a coping strategy for when your regular drug supply has been cut off than career advice.
So that's it. Well worth the wait. An excellent album in my opinion, it lacks the polish that would come with later Stones records, but the original tracks showcase the songwriting talent of the band, and the cover tunes are very well done. Wikipedia lists Phil Spector, our gun toting producer friend, as playing detuned bass on "Play With Fire". It's interesting to note how certain names seem to pop up repeatedly. Rolling Stone magazine placed this one at number 114 on the 500 Greatest Albums of All Time.
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