The Best of the Best: The Rolling Stones' Exile on Main St.

    I absolutely love Exile on Main St. There. I said it. So you don't have to guess. It really opened up the world of The Rolling Stones for me. It's wild. It's free. It's exciting. It makes me feel like an exile on a main street. 

    Just listen to that first track, "Rocks Off." Its got brassy horns. Its got quirky production. Its its own entire thing. We're opening up with a house party that everyone is invited to. I expected Tom Cruise to slide by in his underwear while listening to it. 

    Exile on Main St. is hard rock, rock and roll. With elements of country blues. It's more inconsistent that the other acclaimed albums we've covered so far, but that's possibly by far its greatest strength. All performers on the tracks bring every ounce of their energy on every song. The Stones have always been known for their energy and stamina. But, it's just insane here. "Rip This Joint" is an excellent example of this. Everybody is just living it up on the track. Especially the saxophone. 

    The album was released as a double album. And a reason why I say the inconsistency is a strength is because it keeps it interesting through the album's daunting 18 tracks. Most of the albums we've covered so far have been about ~10 tracks. Maybe give or take a few. I think releasing an 18 track masterpiece in 1972 where 10 track LPs ran abound was such a creative risk that we're all thankful for. 

    Though I found it so hard to believe that only 2 songs were released as singles from the album. Even more surprised that "Rocks Off," "Rip This Joint," and "Shake Your Hips" weren't one of them. "Tumbling Dice" and "Happy" were excellent single choices though. But if you ask me, there's at least 5 number one singles on this album. The production on the two singles are crazy, feel good though. 

    The Stones recorded the album in a moveable studio because they were evading taxes. Or "tax exiles." Hmm. Wonder where the title came from? But, I'm sure the constant new venues added to the album as inspiration. 

    The guitar work on the album is soooooo good. And the guitar alone brings its own good mood to each track. 

    You can feel the blues on this album. Just give "Casino Boogie" a spin. A prime example right there. The American South is alllll over the album. Which is nuts given The Rolling Stones are an English rock band. Yet they're out here giving Muddy Waters a run for his money. Even throwing country into the mix like on the ballad "Sweet Virginia" which features a gorgeous harmonica on it accompanied with a plucky acoustic guitar. Every second the album is so soulful. I love it so much. 

    The critical acclaim for this album is insane. 100/100, 10/10, 5 full stars, A+. It wasn't always well-received when it was first reviewed, but even now I'm just sitting here asking why. The first time I listened to Exile on Main St. I was blown away from the first song alone. It really is that album. And it has every reason to tote itself as much. I can't even begin to describe to you the high energy every member of the band brought to the album. You just have to witness it yourself. 

    Anyways, as you can tell. I highly recommend it.

Rank: The Rolling S...toneS Rank. 

Recommendation: when you feel like an exile on Main St. 

Standouts:

    Every second of the record.