Stones Fan Reviews Hackney Diamonds!
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- เผยแพร่เมื่อ 29 ก.ย. 2024
- After 18 years, the new Stones allbum is finally here! What did I think?
#rollingstones #stones #mickjagger #keithrichards #ronniewood #charliewatts #HackneyDiamonds #thestones
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It feels somewhere between SOME GIRLS and TATTOO YOU - AND I think it is going to age well! They kept it to 48 minutes and the second it's over you want to hear it again - this is essential Stones music!
Wow quite a rating!
And I'm Luke warm on Some Girls. Although those sessions bore lots of good fruit.
Awesome review! Just like the Album.
Yo thanks dude! Quite an album isn't it!
I'm a life long Stones fanatic. Their music is in my life probably every day - I have seen them 22 times - brought my daughter probably 10-11 times over the years. I totally agree w/ you. It is such an experience to listen to it. I am truly moved too - LOVE Whole Wide World, Depending on You, and of course the 2 singles. The way Keith and Ronnie sneak in gradually on Angry is amazing. Love the production too!
So much to enjoy on this one!
Keith and Ron are over this album. The guitars are out in full force!
absolutely!
Ron and Keith
As a huge Stones fan since I was 9 years old (I’m 60 now), i felt like a kid before Christmas waiting for this new album to be released, and now that it’s out, I can honestly say I am blown away by it! I feel like this album managed to encapsulate their versatility and all that has made the Stones great over 60 years - from straight up blues to raw and gritty rock to country to punk to disco/dance to gospel. Absolutely love it. My personal favorite is Get Close. When the sax solo comes in and is paired with the awesome guitar riff, I get goosebumps. It’s like it could have come straight off the Exile on Main Street album with Bobby Keys and Keith jamming. Just what the doctor ordered for a lifelong Stones fan like me!
I like Get Close too, but I think it got the same instrumentation (rhythm-instruments and sax) and vibe as "Slave" (from Tattoo You / Black and blue sessions)...
I have to go back and listen to Slave - been a very, very long time, but I do recall lining that one a lot too!
Yeah, Slave is awesome! Then the B-side of Tattoo You is solid, all songs...@@Gordy63
@@Gordy63yeah I think Pete Townshend is on Slave. I agree with you on Hackney. Felt like a teenager waiting outside the record store waiting for this, and ALL new Stones!!!
The record is Unabashedly unpretentious. It is really great rock and roll and doesn't pretend to be something else. I love love love it.
Agreeee
It’s fantastic, already looking forward to the next one!
I think it is in the works
Every album the Stones ever put out doesn’t please everyone. But each album is different. If they would have done the same formula every time they would not have maintained relevance for 60 years. This album is better than the crap rock n roll has become. I think this album in today’s market and competition seems flawless. This one of the best albums of the last 10 years. It deserves a Grammy.
It does deserve a Grammy. But, Grammy Awards are not always given tho the best songs, acts, or albums.
I think they should specifically write a song as a tribute to Charlie on the next album. They could even incorporate some elements of jazz as a tribute to Charlie Cool Cat ❤️❤️
That'd be a lovely idea!
Sooooooo Gooood........
I’m old. I’m going to get the cd. Love them since 63,64. Brian❤. They’ll never do Vegas. 😅. Royalty.
When there’s more jagger playing guitar than keef then it’s no great stones album
Great album, 11 songs of the 12 are reaally good (Depending on You is less memorable and not very stonesy), production could be better (I mean it's sometimes too mindlessly contemporary), mastering for CD is atrocious, too bad they chose Watt as the producer... That's my review! 😛
Still waiting for my album to arrive, so i haven't heard anything yet (outside of 'Angry').
I did, however, feature my limited edition Paul Smith Hackney Diamonds t-shirt.
I think "Driving me too hard" sounds like Keith has made up the song-melody.... Maybe it was a "Keith-song" in the beginning?
Likely! It was one of the tracks dating back to 2016-2017. I wish we could've heard the version with Charlie on it.
Thank you for this great review, Justin. I agree with everything you said, except I do like Live By The Sword quite a bit, gives me IORR-vibes ! 👍
Interesting! I've been listening to it more and can def see that!
It's growing and growing and growing on me.... like all Stones albums have.
I appreciate the emotional care you gave to this album. I truly enjoy your work!
hey thanks so much! appreciate you watching!
Well now I've listened to the album, it's on repeat and it's just a fantastic album. All the different styles of music shows how great musicians and songwriters the Stones are. At first some songs caught my attention. Songs like Angry and Sweet sounds of heaven stuck in my mind. But now after endlessly playing the album it has grown on me. Today I woke up having Depending on you stuck in my mind. Wonder what song will be there tomorrow.
Angry a great rocker with a strong riff. Classic Stones rocker with great vocals by Jagger. Good opener for the album. It sets the tone for the album. Raw and full of energy.
Get close have wibes from Mick's Visions of paradise in the verses. He even sings like he did on GITD. A strong song with the sax solo as a great part of it.
Depending on you is a great ballad with great guitarsound. I like the subtle slide, the organ and the strings.
Bite my head off a great rocker with Macca on base. Finally he got to play together with the greatest rock and roll band. No wonder he was thrilled. A hard driving song with a great riff. The drive and raw energy is something we haven't had for a long time. Maccas base is fuzzy and great.
Whole wide world yet another uptempo groover which turns into a refrain the lits up to more pop. Jagger sings great on this one. The band is on fire with great guitars. The guitar solo (Ronnie probably) is a great part on this song.
Dreamy skies. Well I got a lump in my throat and tears in the eyes. A typical accoustic-based ballad. To hear the Glimmer Twins together on vocals is just wonderful. The slide guitar from Ronnie is just so great. Have to give Steve Jordan praise for his drumming. Such a great feel for the song from his side.
Mess it up reeks of undertones from the 80's discoperiod. Still this song is more rocking than for instance Miss you.
Live by the sword another rocker. Great piano. Classic handclaps. Driving guitars. I still have to listen to this one a lot more to be able to rewiev it.
Driving me too hard starts with a wibe of Tumbling Dice intro. It grows on me. I love the backup vocals at the end of the song.
Tell me straight, the Keith-moment. I have heard many of these moments and have felt that they were a bit boring but this time Keith sounds great on vocals and the song has a great feel with nice melody. Still a rather typical Keith song.
Sweet sounds of heaven. The gospel masterpiece with Mick on fire. He and Lady GaGa does a phenomenal job on this. Love how this song builds up to the end with intensity. Great lyrics. The horns sends me back to You got the blues.
Rolling Stone Blues. Mick and Keith only. Andrew Watt succeded to make that typical sound of old blues recordings. Distorted guitar, vocals. A great blues. This is where they come from and show that they can the blues in an organic way.
It's been said many times already that this album is fantastic. Well it certainly is just that. We, the Stones-fans are blessed that they still stay with their rock and roll and keep on making music. A lot of new music acts have a lot to learn from the old ones. Thank you Stones and keep it coming as long as you can.
To Justin I have to direct a great thanks for his overwhelming great job that he does with podcast. Great to be learning so much about the Stones. Great to have your opinion on the band too. Thank you Justin.
Hans Jansson
Amazing post Hans. Agreed with everything you've written. The album has so many classic moments that it's going down as probably one of the most memorable albums in a long time. Thanks so much for the kind words and really appreciate all your support on the channel!
I’m a total Stones fan …. and I’ve got to say it’s up there for me with the big 5 🎉 I’ve always had a sweet spot for Decembers Children - the rawness / roughness / the Stones emerging into a place … man I’ve worn the grooves out on that one …BUT Hackney Diamonds feels like the beginning of something to me NOT the end … I’d be surprised if we don’t see a couple more until it’s over and out 😢
Actually will it ever be … surely they’ll go on forever 🎉❤
Wow! Up there with the big 5--amazing!
another one is on the finishing line already
I lsten to the whole album a couple of time from a to z. It's a different vibe Stones album. It's a playfull album vibe. And after a couple of listen I really like the whole album. So glad that our band giving us so much playfull album!
Bottom Line for Me. Hackney Diamonds is like a modern day version of a classic Stones album. When I was a teenager in the early 1970s I never thought that guys pushing into their 80s would be my favorite rock band. Give Live By The Sword more time. It turned out to be one of my favorite tracks. Once Keith and Ron digs into the guitar parts it has a It's Only Rock and Roll feel.
Sword came through a lot better on my crappy Alexa speaker ha. Go figure!
@@HangFireStonesPodcast Maybe Watt and the Boys set it up so that song would sound better on low end speakers. ha ha :)
Hey Justin, I loved hearing your perspectives on the new album. Just thought I would mention a couple of things that I felt about some of the tracks you highlighted. Firstly, I just love Live by the sword. That must be the cheekiest riff Keith has ever come up with, and the whole song has a real ‘Hackney’ feel about it (thematically as well). When the riff comes in at the end I just feel like moving, and this song works so well after Mess it up. My favourite track on the entire album is Driving me too hard. I love the fact that Mick and Keith are singing to each other here, Keith’s voice down low and Mick’s on top. Who’s driving too hard, and who likes to take it slow, I wonder…? I feel that this song is the emotional peak of the album (and the perfect counterpoint to Depending on you), that it all rises to this point, only to be followed by Keith’s beautifully bittersweet plea for honesty, Tell me straight. Then of course comes a kind of resolution in Sweet sounds of heaven, itself a kind of coda, and the ‘official’ coda (may I say?), Rolling Stone Blues.
Finally, I think this sort of production was a wise, perhaps the only choice following Charlie’s sad departure. The band has a new fulcrum on the drums, and there is no way the drums/guitar dynamic can be the same. Are we listening to the new Rolling Stones album, or the New Rolling Stones album? Perhaps a bit of both. However, this richer, fuller production style is kind of a demarcation line, and a sensitive and wise choice by Mick (and Keith). Anybody who has played in bands can testify to the fact that such a loss as that of Charlie is an end to something and a beginning of something else, something new. I can’t wait to see what the Stones have for us next!!!
Great post thanks so much for your thoughts!
Good consistent review. Nice you noted Robert Johnson style of playing in RS blues. Mess it Up should have been the opening track of the album. Charlie is Charlie. Angry should have been 3rd. The album resonates with its vibe like a cousin of Aftermath. You have the Stones in your DNA. Btw, Dream Skies has echoes of Grow Too Old by Bobby Charles, cowritten by Fats. Funnily enough, there was a Fats Domino poster in the studio.
Thanks so much!
I’ve been listening to and collecting the Stones since 1965. Love it all, even Bridges to Babylon and Voodoo Lounge. But not Dirty Work, which would have made an excellent EP. I like the new album as I had no expectations.
The songs are good and the performances are good I just don’t like the recording. It sounds very amateurish too much reverb and just doesn’t have the tape saturation that The Rolling Stones albums do. Good songs, mick sounds great. Keith sounds great, but it just sounds like somebody who got their first ProTools rig. No character to the recording at all if anybody doesn’t agree, then they obviously are missing the essence of the Rolling Stones.
People have spoken about their issues with the mix and production. I don't think we could've expected anything to sound retro or warm. Mick wanted something modern and sadly this is as warm it was going to get. A mix/production can be super retro but if the songs aren't there it really doesn't do much. Will have to just stick to the songs themselves!
I love the album but frankly I hate Bite My Head Off. Worse song on the album. But Depending on You is super, and I love Sweet Sounds of Heaven.
There’s a lot of negative reviews of this album out there. Most of them focus on the production, and the mechanical, computerized sound of the drums. I agree that it’s over-produced, and the drums definitely lack Charlie’s groove. But I love it anyway, and I think Mick’s voice - at 80! - is still great. The songs, for the most part, sound like older Stones albums, but that’s because they’re the Rolling F-ing Stones. Do people want them to sound like the Chili Peppers?
Yeah, it’s so great!
I had expected an ok album, not falling trough compared to their later releases. But I certainly hadn’t expected this...
Guess The Stones knew that lesser than something that tops anything for the last many years would be better keeping in the drawer😆
Very bold and bigger than life. But that’s The Stones identity anyway.
The moment they start a tour with “The Last Time” as the starter we will know it’s over. But as you say, they never will...
Always rolling....
I'm going to mention that I'm having fun with my imaginary husbands Jamie and Irving and I like the album too.
I have to get that CD, I have now heard so many reviews and they are all positive. Fabulous guys eh !! ❤❤❤
Good luck! It took me three days visiting five stores and called two stores to finally get a copy. It was the last copy in that store. If you buy on line, it’s going to take you ten days for delivery. Btw, I live in nyc.
I like it. But only one listen so far need to take it in slowly. Listen to much and you will get sick of it. As any album.
I really enjoyed hearing your take on this album! Without giving my own review here in the comments, I will just say that I wholeheartedly agree with everything you said. Having listened to every other album of theirs countless times, I came away from my first listen of this absolutely floored. You hit it on the head when you described it as emotional, for the band and for the listener. Expectations are a tricky thing to deal with, but mine were exceeded. I was surprised in the best way by so many of the songs, many of them will become classics in my mind. I have to stop talking because I could go on and on and on and on but it's just so exciting to have this in the world. Can't wait to here more from you and guests celebrating what is truly a special album!
Thanks so much for watching! More Hackney goodness coming!
its one of the worst albums people have ever heard; honestly !!
Nice review… you know it’s a great record when everyone has different favorites because it’s full of great songs. I really appreciate your insightful observations about Keith’s contributions to the record. Personally I can’t even decide which songs are my favorite yet… I suspect this record will only grow further in esteem over time which is saying a lot since it’s already getting praise
Thank you! Good point, there's no clear favorite song--everyone is digging everything
Get Close is my fav song on the album.
it takes me back to the tattoo you and emotional rescue days.
Good call!
I'm amazed you actually made it all that time not listening to Sweet Sounds.. Rolling Stone Blues is my favourite moment from the album. Feels like history.
an impeccable recording! historic in fact
A bit of a side point but it seems Kieth and Elton burried the hatchet.
1. Sweet sounds of heaven
2. Live by the Sword
3. Dreamy Skies
T5. Mess it Up
T5. Rolling Stones Blues
Didn't really like Bite My Head Off and Whole Wide World, but I love the amount of love the album is getting, specially those 2 songs that seem to be please most of the listeners.
Album and hype is a little bit OVERRATED! Love the Stones and I really love they're back again. Only love for the Stones!! BUT the album cover is awful. And the songs and lyrics are ok-ish. The fans and reviews are a little bit too much, but hey, let them enjoy. Don't get me wrong, I don't hate the album, but it doesn't hit me like these reports, fans, jimmy fallon (lol), reviews. Sorry.
Well there's something connecting with people who are listening to the album. Most people are enjoying it. I guess things get overrated when you don't agree with the crowd...
True to that. You can hear the joy and fun on this album for sure. And it's cool that fans are raving about this new album. But it's not my cup of tea. I hear a mixture of Emotional Rescue/Dirty Work/Some Girls in it. Nothing wrong with that. But again, it doesn't hit me like the other (60s and 70s) albums by the Stones. @@HangFireStonesPodcast
@@diamonddogz389 👍👍😎
By the way, love your channel and information! Keep up the good work! @@HangFireStonesPodcast
@@diamonddogz389 thank you! Appreciate that! Hope you'll stick around for more stuff coming in the next weeks!
I reordered the playlist to make it more like Tattoo You - fast/slow - for better flow:
1. Angry
2. Get Close
3. Whole Wide World
4. Mess It Up
5. Live By The Sword
6. Bite My Head Off
7. Driving Me Too Hard
8. Depending On You
9. Dreamy Skies
10. Tell Me Straight
11. Rolling Stone Blues
12. Sweet Sounds Of Heaven
This way the album seems more powerful and the ending is stronger.
Cool!
Cool idea
@@JamesMoritz-f6l Instantly upgraded the album for me. Try it, you might like it.
The lyrics like on all Stones records are great
Apologies for not subscribing to your channel sooner. I have been a viewer. After Yesterday's live chat with Steve I realized the error of my ways and subbed-up. I think it great that someone of a younger generation can speak so knowledgeably (is that a word?) about the Stones. Thank you. Here in Canada we move at a slower pace, which is why Hackney Diamonds has not been available until this week. I grabbed the CD digipack yesterday and will be picking up a vinyl copy today, FINALLY. After three CD spins I'm loving the album. I'm not one for doing video reviews of new albums but I may make an exception for this one. That is if I stop listening to it long enough to set up a camera. Paul.
Thanks much Paul! Great to see you at the live stream...hope you enjoy the CD and vinyl finally. Looking forward to your video!
Ron was interviewed saying there's a couple dozen tracks in the can from this session. Gonna be a follow up album I think. Fantastic.
I wanted more riffs, just more guitar in general. But I always say that. I’m a guitar junky.
But I very much like the album. I wouldn’t doubt if I enjoy it even more a couple years from now. I think it will age well. 🤘
Yup as Bridges to Babylon has too. That's usually how it goes: Stones put out new album, fans hate the production, 10 years go by, Stones release another new album, fans hate it but then fans go back and listen to the previous new albums and LOVE it. Like clockwork! haha
Thanks for your take! I'm a little dizzy from all the reviews I have now seen.... I sat through one review where they began saying they have been totally irrelevant since the mid 70's, then went on to critique the artwork, different vinyl offerings, production, track listings on the inner sleeve..... Seems like going to a lot of trouble for a washed up and irrelevant band....🙂
Great review. Need to go grab this album. BTW. Loved your Anthony Decurtis interview. Made me subscribe.
Hey thanks so much--really appreciate that! Hope you like all the content coming!
We have been waiting for your personal take ... and I am glad you are not even slightly disappointed. The worst this album might get for someone is moderate or fair on a single song (maybe two .. but no more) ... Nothing is a clunker. It is lean and fun .. but incorporates different styles into each making it diverse while being semi-lean. It brings back The Stones to playable for the young and at times has one or two for the purist. It does it's job. The Stones Roll on -
We finally made it Ian! haha. Great way of putting it, yes it's very LEAN. No fat on it at all really. Even the songs I have "trouble" with I really like. There's nothing here I hate, every song has a moment or an element that really gets me. I guess in that way it feels like a classic album.
@@HangFireStonesPodcast The great thing about Hackney Diamonds I have encountered .. is that so many people I know have different favorite songs off of it .. and different choices for their least favorite. I myself juggle which I like the most. That there tells us it is not something rudimentary. My cousin who is not impressed with the Stones output single wise or album wise since Voodoo Lounge told me just today in an authentic, direct look me in the eye 'I love it'. I was shocked. He downplays EVERYTHING.
@@IanBillen exactly! People's favorites really run the gamut all over the album. Says something doesn't it. And yup RS Blues is simply a stunner from top to bottom. Can't believe it's on here ..
@@HangFireStonesPodcast Yepp - !! .. I think the most remarkable thing .. or one of the most remarkable things The Stones did was Blue & Lonesome .. Just magic .. dark .. crude .. authentic. This was a kool variation. Keith on the guitar = Wow. I was confused about SSOH as you know at first. I thought it may be lacking songwriting (how I thought that? I have no idea) ... Now I think it is worth the price of admission .. and one of the best things The Stones ever did smh. The album is pop oriented BUT unique. I am glad I have convinced them to make the record. :D
@@HangFireStonesPodcast and CAN'T believe they never played it / recorded it before .. Well .. better late than never Hahahahahah. Though in the past decades it may of been a lil too cliché to do? Now it is permissible as the clock is ticking ? Hmmmm?
My top three: Sweet Sounds of Heaven, Depending on You, and Get Close with Angry and Tell Me straight right there behind them. Hard to pick #3 out of those last ones.
Can't go wrong with those. The album really delivers
ya the lyrics make me feel bad for Mick,.....it's all over the album. I love the music tho. Cool review
One theme I heard a lot is that "women" or perhaps Mick's current woman is heavily on his case. I didn't like that. He's 80. He's fricking Mick Jagger. You knew damn well what you signed up for. Leave him alone!
@@nevin7094 damn straight
Thanks for watching!
Get Close is my favorite followed by Live By the Sword and Mess It Up. Then Depending On You. Least favorite, though not bad, is Whole Wide World followed by Bite My Head Off (it’s fine but to me isn’t musically super interesting). I’ve listened to Angry and Sweet Sounds of Heaven so much it’s hard to rank them with the others. Both are good when I’m in the mood. Driving Me Too Hard is nice as is Tell Me Straight. Nothing wrong with Dreamy Skies or RS Blues, either
All winners!
Excellent review, Justin. Best comments on the album that I have seen, heard and read so far. Most of what you say I agree with. Overall I am yet more enthusiastic than you are. The versatility, diversity, width of this album is as amazing as it is wonderful. As always, the Stones have produced music that is relevant in today's day and age. Classic Stones but at the same time the sound of 2023. Topical and relevant. Clearly, huge credit to Andy Watt (and to Mick and Keith for giving him the space). I have listened to this album over and over. I think it is a huge contribution to their catalogue. My least favorite song on the album is Angry, which is still a good song. I cannot pick the best ones. I think they are all great songs, wonderful jewels. Every time I think - "this one stands out" - another voice comes in and goes - "yeah, but what about that one". I really am in love with this album. I did not expect that at all to happen (following ABB which I found profoundly disappointing). For me, Hackney Diamonds belongs right amongst their best albums of all times. 5/5.
Great post! It looks like it's heading for classic status already. What an album 👏
I was totally surprised that they pulled this off. I was expecting a mixed bag just like Bigger Bang was. I agree with everything you said about Mess It Up. After a couple days of listening I thought Live By The Sword was the weakest track on the album but even that song is heating up for me already. I don't consider it filler and I'm glad it made the album. Zero filler on this beast.
👍 zero filler indeed!
Definitely an Emotional album. The big argument seams to be is it a classic Stones album oris just merely great. For me its to early to put it up there with Sticky Fingers or Let it Bleed. Those albums are in my DNA as well as Emotional Rescue, Tattoo You, Undercover and Bigger Bang. Hackney Diamonds doesn't get a pass with me, it has to earn its way into my heart and soul. Great review, very honest.
Thanks so much! It's on its way to classic level!
As I listen and re-listen to this album, it seems better and better. There's a mix of sweetness and energy that is so nice. Times are tough and this album is a real gift, imbued with both philosophy and hope. The tracks alternate between enormous energy and contemplative moments. It’s really very successful. I can't stop replaying this album. No song is bad, but my favorites are "get close", "depending on you" and "whole wild world". But over time, I learned to also like "live by the sword" and even "driving me too hard". The song "tell me straight" sounds a little sad but it's very beautiful too. The sound is very good, especially the very elaborate guitar choruses. Several titles should perform very well on stage. May we see the Stones in concert again playing these new songs!
Nicely put. There is a sweetness to it. Great ear on catching the deeper side of the album. Almost everyone seems to be missing it. Let's hope we see the songs live 👍
We must be related, Justin. When I listen to you, it sounds like me for the last 50 plus years of my life. Keep up the good work, my "brother"!
haha awesome! great to hear! That's what we're here for---a place to geek out on all Stones! Enjoy and thanks for watching!
I've had the riff of "Get Close" in my head for about a month. Nice and raunchy sounding.
A nice chunky riff 🎸🎸
I'd written them off a long time ago. I didn't think they'd come up with anything decent after the mediocre offerings they've served up since the last truly great song they created (Undercover imo). I'm overjoyed by how good it is. I hope they do a lot of smaller gigs that incorporate a lot of these songs, rather than just playing the usual stuff. Enjoyed your review, nice one.
Yes quite an amazing record...what a surprise!
I love your review I hope it's not the last album. I was disappointed because there was no photos on the album cover. They should have put one of those pictures they took in New York City that would have been. Would have made a great album take care my friend
I hope so too!
An outstanding review of an outstanding rock 'n' roll album.
Hey thanks so much!
Living by the sword reminds me of voodoo era,jump on top of me or the outtake honest man,and i agree mess it up ranks up there with my fav on HD,it is in its own genre,the outro is phenominal starting at 3:15 and cant recall anything close to it that they have recorded in 61 yrs,including outtakes...
Good call!
Thanks for your excellent analysis Justin. I think you nailed it, on my first listen I too was overwhelmed. I was not even sure I loved it, but like a lot of my favourite records, I had to process it. There is a lot going on there and the hooks are big and in your face. Now that I have listened a few times uninterrupted, it is really sinking in how very good this is.
Thanks very much! Yes this thing nestles in your brain and wont' leave!
I agree with everything you said here, except for your take on "Live by the Sword".
🔥
Does anyone else think the lyrics to Sweet Sounds of Heaven where it goes to “I’m not goin to hell in some dusty motel” is a reference to Gram Parsons death. In the video it shows a motel with a cactus. It takes me there. Anyone else?
Yeah man, it's a reference to Gram Parsons death indeed. And it's great they remembered Gram as they had much influence from him in their countrish tunes. "Cosmic American Music" forever!
I give it an A-. A lot of good songs but no classic like Satisfaction or Wild Horsrs.
I like angry bite, my head off Swiss sound of heaven
👍👍
Not sure how I feel about this record yet, still marinating. I think Keith's Tell Me Straight is def a highlight. I agree with Norman Maslov, I think the cover artwork is underwhelming. Would love to see you and Norman do a video discussing the record. Like your videos, thanks,
thanks for watching!
Most honest researched review online thanks ✌️
Thanks so much!
Justin - great honest, reflective review! The line: I'm too young for dying and too old to lose - really gets me. Love the album - just let it flow!
Thanks! A great experience!
I’m a big fan of Bite My Head Off and Mess It Up! 💥
Fuzz bass!
This is an instant classic. Very much in the mold of the Some Girls through Tattoo You run with a couple of nods to earlier eras.
I get the same level of enjoyment from this release as I do from Tattoo You, which is obviously another classic. Goats Head Soup, and It’s Only Rock ‘n’ Roll have higher peaks, but Hackney Diamonds is more consistent and more cohesive.
For the people whining about the production, perhaps some number of years later, when the Stones are no longer with us, some producer will remix it and all their complaints will melt away. But this is a great collection of songs, regardless.
Agree totally!
B plus/A minus. Good stuff especially since they are 80 years old. I mick wrote most of it but Keef certainly had a hand the structure of the songs. IMO
Justin, which version of Sweet Sound did you hear first? I hope you discuss both versions. I like aspects of both and would like to hear them blended. But you can’t go wrong with either, in my opinion.
I heard the full 7+ minute version! I'll try to go back and listen to the edited version soon!
@@HangFireStonesPodcastThe live performance at Racket captures what I wanted - the full version with Lady G starting off second stanza.
Almost one month after the release of Hackney Diamonds I listen to it daily and many times per day. I find it interesting to experience how this album affect me. At first it was the more obvious single tracks that got me to like the music on the album. But now that has completely changed. The other night I thought that the order of the songs was perfect. But now I think that the songs at the end is a little weaker than others in the beginning and the middle. But the Stones is good on picking order of tracks. I must say that Andy Watt has done an incredible job on this album. The way that he has pumped up the lower ends of the music without dropping the high ends too much. This gives the album depth and space. If you listen to the songs they are full of driving guitars but also subtle ones that builds the space. In the latter times I have got fed up with listening to some of the albums released. Rather quick in fact. But Hackney Diamonds delivers new things each time I put it on. As Keith would say: "I still find things in there" and it's really interesting to find out about. So to me Hackney Diamonds is the best album from the Stones in a long long time. Many have said that it still isn't the Exile on main street quality. Well to me Exile is the most interesting album from the past. But don't compare HD with it. HD is an album with today's sound and character. HD is today what Exile was back in the 70's. Back then the Stones was young and restless. Now they are mature with a bit of restlessnes in their souls which make them produce albums like Hackney Diamonds. So thank you Mick, Keith and Ronnie for this contribution. Now back to the "findings in there"! Have a great weekend.
Nice post! Agree that Andrew Watt deserves all the credit here. He did something pretty incredible that I don't think any of us even the stones could have expected!
I think he got them to believe that they could make a great album. He made them stay true to their roots but also gave them a modern twist by changing the sound on this album.@@HangFireStonesPodcast
Great album excellent review!!
Thanks 👍👍
I love it. It's not their greatest hour but, like you said, for guys in their 80's and in the business for 60 of those, it's bloody good.
Can I just ask why a gatefold sleeve? I love the cover art but to open it up and just have "Rolling Stones" splashed across it seems a wasted opportunity. A small gripe on what is a great piece of work.
I give it 💎💎💎💎
Its horrible, i must be living in a twilight zone or something, this isn't good music people.
Are we listening to the same album?
Its awful
Seriously, I’m so glad to see someone else say this! The album is utterly awful and I think in 5-6 years, when all the excitement and ‘this is the last one!’ derangement has worn off, people are going to end up admitting it was always a piece of crap.
@@bobparker7779
Yep, thats exactly what will happen ill bet my balls on it.
I hear it as mostly a Jagger solo album… which is OK and I get Keith with his fingers and the spirit and soul he put in years before has not much left… Jagger to me sounds like my gym instructor most of the time… Get Close has really promising verse but the chorus is a sort of pop rock grating thing… My fav is Bite My Head Off … but again it’s like a cameo Punky track… Whole Wide World is Iggy Pop’s New Values but with a pop rock chorus… would’ve loved a Keef Richards Stones chorus.. Desert Skies has great Stones country style guitars but there is no song there…. And Jagger is usually great at getting a tune over the country guitars… Sweet Sounds is obviously gonna be a great live addition personally wish there was more light and shade in the vocal a la Moonlight Mile and a Mick Taylor solo… I liked hearing Angry… especially in the car 🚗 but again l wish it was even more ragged… This is a very clean sounding a album… yes guitars are loud and everything but it all sounds like it’s been made at my state of the art gym… I may like it more in time but it’s very hard with no Watts Wyman and half operating Keith to think of this as a genuine Stones album… lastly the artwork… Lord have mercy it’s pretty 5:49 terrible X Oh but l love that they have put stuff out and that video to Angry was a real thrill
Get close mess it up. Live by the sword bitemy head off depending on you whol wide world sweet sounds if heaven this album is freaking awesome ty Stones can't wait for the tour
I was a bit scared by the talk about this new piece being essentially a Mick’s effort, and by the first singles, a quite boring SMU riff at first listen, and this grandiloquent but a bit pointless gospel (this last one makes more sense when listened within the album).
So the very nice surprise of Hackney Diamonds as a whole came to me as a charming relief. I have never been so excited by my very first listen since the 89 hype of Steel Wheels. Yes, that sounds like a Mick’s effort, but the one who has decided to work his shit out and deliver his shiny and exciting pop capabilities, like he did so well in the seventies.
Find a modern but capable producer, do your homework with evocative and bluesy lyrics, sing the best of your wonderful British voice and ask your bandmates to have fun with the rest of it. The magic then appears : a collection of catchy and touching songs without - yes ! - any filler on the horizon. And, for those among us who always wanted the Rolling Stones to end their career playing the blues in local London clubs, you also get what you want with this wonderful coda at the end.
Of my, those background boys choruses everywhere, these drums and bass, this sax solo, this Macca thunder, these groovy singalong feasts (Get Close, Whole Wide World, Mess It Up, Live By the Sword, Driving Me Too Hard : I just can’t get them out of my head, really)
The only little frustration : Tell Me Straight, which could have been much better IMHO if treated with a more simple blues production.
After a few days of listening, to me Hackney Diamonds stands proudly somewhere in between Some Girls, Emotional Rescue and Tattoo You.
Quite a ranking!
@@HangFireStonesPodcast That’s really a nice thing to read all this comments saying : who could really have guessed they would give us this one out of their heads ? Thanks by the way Justin for all your good job here 🙏🏻 (from a French fan since the mid 80s) (and fuck Pitchfork - sorry for being impolite)
@@rantanplandalton7088 been a pleasure! Thanks so much for supporting the channel! And yes indeed....fuck Pitchfork ha
You rock Justin!
😎
Excellent review
Thanks 👍👍
I will do in a week my review on my channel. Now I still wait for my CD delivery which comes in a week - damn long - but now I see all reviews and listen the album to have more weighed opinion. I would point it 8/10 (which is 4/5). I was very impressed by your video with Paulina Almira - she opened many stuffs about the album.
Thank you so much! Shame that the CDs and vinyl were all delayed--hope you get it soon!
Awesome album, the only negative thing is LP doesn't have lyrics, Inside art is lame, CD has no dynamic range...LP has better production...Awesome album from start to finish with no fillers
Thanks Justin for your videos and the interview with Paulina..Rock on Bro...The two albums the glimmer twins released when a stone leaves in a coffin have been excellent..Let It Bleed and Hackney Diamonds
Thanks Sal! I agree about the lyrics missing--what a shame especially since the lyrics are really a highlight on here. I'll have to get the digipack which supposedly has it. Interesting idea about albums after band members leaving!
Very great Review ! I knew this Album was going to be great. My only concern was that it would be mixed way too loud like Bigger Bang was. And It is NOT. It`s Awesome. Yes Angry is mixed very loud and crowded to hit the Charts. All in all it has a poppy Mick Jagger Goddes in the Doorway-sound and it blends perfectly with Ronnies and Keiths sounds. The only thats missing is a second Keith Richards Song maybe in a Raggae sound. for me, might as well drop "sweet sounds of.." for some Keith Songs..
Thanks for watching!
Brilliant review, Justin!! I Was Also afraid about an album released after so many years, but The Stones were very careful and produced an absolutely great album. This is history being written. I must deffend Live By The sword: great funky riff, boogie piano, Mick’s vocals gaining power and Charlie…
I completely agree about keith’s contributions: They are different, emocional and very Good (bass lines, guitar licks all over The room.
Mick is unbelievable: The MVP.
Guitars mixing, saxophone is back, emotional vocals By mick and keith and strong guitars.
Hackney is genius stuff
Thanks so much! Even since posting my review I'm beginning to warm up to Living by The Sword. I mean, don't get me wrong I never hated it haha. I always did like the choruses! What an album!
@@HangFireStonesPodcast hahahahaha
I totally understand. Some Stones tunes are like that. Sometimes, years after the first listening they hit us. Too tight from Beidges to babylone was one exemple for me.
Thanks for The terrific Work!!
ha go figure--I loved Too Tight the second it came on! hahah. Funny, both sort of in the same spot on the album ha. @@tiagomendonca2122
@@HangFireStonesPodcast , trully a coincidence! Too Tight is awsome!!!
Thanks!
Thank you so very much Gary!
IMO Depending On You as a ballad is as good as any ballad as the Stones have ever recorded.
Absolutely
I really liked the album as well. Not as much as A Bigger Bang (that album is a masterpiece) but a lot more than the 80s and 90s albums.
Wow! ABB is a masterpiece huh? I love that haha. Now I'm wondering your top 5!
You smelled something fishy at the 1st listenings and that is still my 1st impression. Weird composition structure (angry has none, bite my head off repears 16 times boring riff), terrible superficial lyrics (hey justin we had 2 years of pandemic dictatiorship, ukraine, on the brink of ww3 but jaggers whines he is too old, how intense), awful artwork and most of all : total keith submission to mick. Mick drives the whole album, voice exaggerated upfront, stones background vocals rare. And ALSO this : you are over sentimental about how profound this is tw Charlie etc. Bullshit > they have a dozen complete tracks from the charlie sessions, why didn t they work on these instead? What tribute is this? With Wyman recording alone? Wtf! There is one total gem on here : sweet sounds is from sticky level, for once lyrics and all (i bet mick did not write these). As for the closing song : Jagger is awesome and keith painfully can t play a simple blues without x errors. That s why he gave in and this is a Jagger solo album with Keith Ron sound vibes. I hope I change my mind damn it I hate to spoil this party. I used to be the jagger defender against purists. Must be getting old.
Oh sorry how much sentimentality should I have for Charlie? It's my personal reaction to the song, you don't mind, do you?
@@HangFireStonesPodcast i am not saying YOU are oversentimental with regards to Charlie, fine with me, but that you over interprete the stones' respect for Charlie (and Bill). They had more than a dozen tracks with him, used only 2 > that s very minimal respect and sentimentality imo of mick & keith for Watts.
@@rayerscarpensael2300 I don't see a correlation their feelings about losing their friend with how many songs of his they kept. If they felt the songs themselves weren't right or fit with where they wanted to go on this album that really has no effect on their admiration for Charlie.
@@HangFireStonesPodcast well I see a 100 % correlation plus out of that period came Doom & Gloom, one of the best stones songs ever at jumpingjackflash level that no song on HD can match.. They preferred to record Jagger demos on the spot instead of organicly working masterpieces from the bottom up as with Sympathy or Startmeup as Jagger lives in here and now and does nt want to exarcebate Charlie s loss, he said exactly that in an interview, get on and get over it.
Bedankt
thank you so very much!
The new album is fan service
I think I see Ronnie credited on Rolling Stone Blues as well as Keith.
Really? Hmm will need to check
@@HangFireStonesPodcast I saw it at Keno’s Rolling Stone Lyrics. He lists the personnel on every song. Of course I don’t know how accurate Keno is.
So Ron and Keith are playing guitars on here to not other musicians? Production good but a bit over produced. But good album.
I am talking guitars I know Mick is all over to. A lot more than Keith.
Love the 2 songs with Charlie and good to hear Bill Wyman on Live by the Sword with Charlie.
Keith!!!
But I still think over produced too much rather then be stripped down.Stripped down is better
Mick can sing!!
it hits me like Rough Justice - I have several faves on Hackney Diamonds - particularly Live by the Sword. Loved the roll out - the art is very good too. On past albums there would be songs I didn't love right away and would skip - but now they are gems I can't live without. Yours is a great analysis
Thanks so much!
Live By the Sword is my favorite too.
Do you like this album! Lol
Definitely not enough to buy it
@@deborahrohl7690 what if you could get a copy for nothing.
It’s pretty horrible..sounds like a Jagger album recorded and played by A.I. It’s bollocks and has no roll & sway - this guy obviously never lived through the golden period 68/69 - 74..... come back Mick Taylor!
Good God!
Mick Taylor.
That was then this is now. Broaden your horizons and change with the times.
@@georgehopper4843exactly! Mick Taylor left in 1974, get over it 😆👻
😂😂😂😂😂😂
There you go.....
Hope that's enough attention for the amount craved!!!
Rock on child of the moon!!!
@@sammypotter6458 So you believe they should never change with the times? If you use use the same formula forever they would have been over in 1974. Black and Blue and then Some Girls kept them current and relevant. They have changed with the times and stayed relevant. Taylor was a great guitarist and those years will live forever. But they are the past, not the future. Let’s enjoy what little future they have remaining.
They opened the album with Angry because it's the best track on the Lp.
Why ask all these artists to contribute when you can't even notice their contributions. (Grab your headphones)
WHERE'S BILL!??!
Another hyped disappointment.
A review worth waiting for. Highly inspiring. Thanks.
Thanks so very much!
He waited... So WE WAITED :D . I loved his review when it finally got delivered. It is honest and from the heart and points out things I wished I noted, myself (tho I am glad someone did).
@@IanBillen a long wait but worth it 👍