The Rolling Stones are one of the most successful and critically acclaimed bands in the history of popular music. Their brash, blues-based rock & roll swagger has been at the forefront of a number of popular music’s many permutations. But even the most devoted of fans are often reluctant to venture too far outside the material recorded during the band’s irrefutable peak in the 1970s. The unfathomably high benchmark set by this era of the band’s music has caused much of their later material to be cast in a negative light. But in truth, nearly every Stones record contains material that could be considered essential.
Some would say that the true end of the Stones’ “classic period” came after the release of 1981’s Tattoo You. The album would give the band one of their biggest singles and most enduring songs in the form of “Start Me Up.” Despite the album being released in the early 1980s, most of the featured material came from outtakes from studio sessions which took place throughout the 70s. Tattoo You is considered by many to be the last truly great Rolling Stones album, though opinions on the subject vary greatly.
Subsequent releases marked the beginning of a critical decline from which the band would never truly recover. That isn’t to say that they haven’t remained one of the most successful bands in the world, but this commercial fortune owes greatly to the group’s already established legacy and highly lucrative touring act.
1983’s Undercover saw the group, primarily at the insistence of Mick Jagger, exploring the trends of the day and looking to tap into more contemporary styles. Many listeners and critics were unreceptive to the change, which continued with 1986’s Dirty Work. The material during these sessions was also greatly affected by growing tensions between principal songwriters Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.
The former’s enthusiasm for exploring more pop-oriented sonic territory – as well as an increasing interest in a career as a solo artist – conflicted directly with the latter’s dedication to the blues and rock & roll styles around which the band had developed their trademark sound. These conflicts resulted in uneven projects which didn’t necessarily sit together all that well, and some would argue that the then-contemporary trends explored in the production of these albums have significantly dated the projects.
Since the late 1980s, many listeners have made the mistake of averting their attention from new Rolling Stones music. These individuals have missed out not only on several hidden gems buried within – what are admittedly – some uneven records, but also on some surprisingly cohesive and effective overall projects (the 1989 comeback album and unsung triumph Steel Wheels comes to mind.)
A particular highlight of the band’s later periods is the increased frequency with which guitarist Keith Richards’ was comfortable stepping into the position of lead vocalist. While Richards always provided backing vocals on the Stones’ records, and would take the occasional co-lead vocal on earlier releases, it wasn’t until 1969’s Let It Bleed that the guitarist took a bonafide solo spot with the standout cut, “You Got The Silver.”
From then on, it became customary for Richards to sing a track on each new Rolling Stones album. But 1986’s Dirty Work saw Richards taking lead on two tracks, “Too Rude” and “Sleep Tonight.” Subsequent releases would give Richards at least two (three in the case of Bridges To Babylon) lead vocals, providing the projects with a dynamic variance that perhaps wasn’t as palpable on earlier releases.
Even in recent years, the band has shown a continuing capacity to weave together engaging, relevant material. These abilities were on full display with the release of 2020’s pandemic-themed, reggae-infused single, “Living In A Ghost Town,” a release which would be the last of longtime drummer Charlie Watts’ lifetime, as he would tragically pass the following year.
Even at their lowest points, The Rolling Stones have inarguably remained one of the greatest bands on the planet, with their worst output trumping most bands’ best material any day of the week, and twice on Sundays. The indelible chemistry of the musicians and precisional songcraft of the Jagger/Richards writing team has made it nearly impossible for The Rolling Stones to miss. As such, it is a travesty that such a wide range of their discography is not only dismissed, but often fails to even be considered due to widespread perception of a general consensus.
In the interest of rectifying this misestimation, the following selections have been compiled to provide a general idea as to the merits of some of The Rolling Stones’ later full-length projects. Listeners are encouraged to dig deeper to find favorites of their own.
* denotes entries which feature Keith Richards on lead vocals
1. “Flip the Switch” from 1997’s Bridges To Babylon
2. “Living In A Ghost Town” 2020 Single Release
3. “Terrifying” from 1989’s Steel Wheels
4. “Rain Fall Down” from 2005’s A Bigger Bang
5. “Mixed Emotions” from 1989’s Steel Wheels
6. “This Place Is Empty” from 2005’s A Bigger Bang *
7. “Baby Break It Down” from 1994’s Voodoo Lounge
8. “Out of Control” from 1997’s Bridges To Babylon
9. “Laugh, I Nearly Died” from 2005’s A Bigger Bang
10. “Doom And Gloom” from 2012’s GRRR! (Greatest Hits Album)
11. “Anybody Seen My Baby?” from 1997’s Bridges to Babylon
12. “The Worst” from 1994’s Voodoo Lounge *
13. “Too Tight” from 1997’s Bridges To Babylon
14. “One Hit (To The Body) from 1986’s Dirty Work
15. “Thru and Thru” from 1994’s Voodoo Lounge *
16. “Feel On Baby” from 1983’s Undercover
17. “Gunface” from 1997’s Bridges To Babylon
18. “Sad Sad Sad” from 1989’s Steel Wheels
19. “Too Much Blood” from 1983’s Undercover
20. “Infamy” from 2005’s A Bigger Bang *
