(Album) Between the Buttons (UK)

Between the Buttons (UK)

Released
January 20, 1967

Between the Buttons, released before the Rolling Stones’ main venture into Psychedelic music and after their releases of Rock and Roll and Rhythm and Blues. It’s an album in a tough spot, and even worse, the album was not even promoted properly. This results in Between the Buttons being almost forgotten, and even worse, without much of a backstory.

The only backstory this album has is that the songs were recorded here and there, and they had overdubs added on over and over again, creating an art easel with so much paint added on that the original idea was lost. However, what we do have is an album with a focus on perfection. Were they close to this idea? According to Mick Jagger himself, they were far from it.

The other part of the backstory comes from the album itself and not the songs. The album art comes from some fancy homemade filters and Brian Jones being a dick and not complying with the camera man. For some reason, the idea of Jones not caring is the exact opposite of what the “ethereal, druggy feel” is supposed to be.

Oh, and Jagger he hates everything about the album except for Back Street Girl, a song that ended up being excluded from the US release. Tough times for Jagger.

Yesterday’s Papers

(Every single song was credited to Jagger / Richards)

Although credited to Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, this song is solely written by Mick Jagger. Supposedly, this song is about Jagger’s ex-girlfriend Chrissie Shrimpton, who broke up after she caught Jagger cheating (she would later attempt suicide through an overdose.. Probably many times. The song also contains a repeating theme for Rolling Stones songs about women, a certain mistreatment and idea that women are disposable.

Finally, we can get to the music. I just needed all the backstory I could get. This song gives us a peek at where The Stones are going to, featuring vibraphones and harpsichords. There’s a couple of things to note on this song: of course the vibraphone with an echo, but also and a semi-solo played by Richards on a distorted guitar. On top of everything is Jagger’s vocals, soft and steady throughout the song (I’ll also mention I love the harmonizing in the backing vocals.) Yes, the harpsichord is there, but it’s not in a big enough role to really mention. All together, it makes for a nice song and a different, fresh sound.

9 / 10

My Obsession

Backstory? Mick Jagger kinda likes this song.

The first thing my ears were drawn to was the heavy bass, that I really wish was a little more prominent in the mix. The guitar mixes well with the bass as well. There’s not much else to say about this song, unfortunately. It has potential. I can see Jagger having fun with this song, but other than that there’s only potential and nothing else.

7.75 / 10

Back Street Girl

It’s a very interesting song in all the good ways. The lyrics can be interpreted as another attempt to put women down, but we’re going to look past that and instead try to explain the feeling of this song. The vibraphone comes into play, but it’s an accordion that makes this song, as well as a soft acoustic guitar. The song is something completely unexpected from the Stones, and instead sounds like something someone would hear in the streets of Italy. It’s peaceful, it’s new, and it involves a peaceful and somber Jagger, and for that I appreciate this song.

9 / 10

Connection

It’s a rock and roll song with a prominent piano and a simple rhyme scheme. As simple as the idea sounds, it works very well, and is a very well done rock song without it getting out of control. And a very good snap back into reality from these different songs.

9.5 / 10

She Smiled Sweetly

The organ this song has cannot help this song. Jagger’s vocals are weak, and the length is where it should be, but other than that the song is pretty average.

7 / 10

Cool, Calm & Collected

This song brings out some neat noises, with a great bass line, a guitar that rides along doing it’s own thing, and the piano that has followed all of these songs brings a kinda ragtime feel, which gets even better when a harmonica comes in and speeds the song up to the end.  Also, kazoo solo. We’re at that point in music where we’re getting kazoo solos, and I love it. It’s a rock song with a foot-tapping beat, and while I don’t care much for the chorus, It’s a fantastic song.

9.25 / 10

All Sold Out

It’s a weird song, to say the least. Weird in the composition sense. The guitar sounds very nice, and the drums finally get a chance to sound good. If only this song wasn’t mixed badly, because I’m sure there was a flute somewhere. It’s also not an impressing song. Good song for filler though.

7.75 / 10

Please Go Home

It’s an odd mix of blues rock and psychedelic influences. Two guitars play a hard, distorted beat while the drums keep on playing their rock noises. The chorus plays with echo, the verses play with blues, and Brian Jones plays with an oscillator. It’s fun to be had, although it’s nothing to get excited over.

8.5 / 10

Who’s Been Sleeping Here?

I have a question of my own, why does the first guitar sound like it was recorded poorly? The song features a small harmonica, and anything else (like that piano) has been mixed in with everything else. Its got silly lyrics and a bass that begs to be heard, but that doesn't mean it’s interesting.

7 / 10

Complicated

The song starts off with drums before going into a fuzz guitar. The most “psychedelic” sounding song in the album, with an organ that plays something beautiful, but at the same time it’s the quietest instrument in the song, and that’s a shame. Besides that, Watts plays a strong drum beat, the both sets of vocals fit perfectly, and the song flows perfectly.

9 / 10

Miss Amanda Jones

This song is easily compared to the songs that The Stones used to play early in their career, with a guitar playing fast power chords and a second guitar doing short riffs. Once again, an organ comes into play, but it’s hardly noticeable, and once again, that’s a shame. A great song.

8.5 / 10

Something Happened to Me Yesterday

Now this is a magical song. Not because it’s about LSD, no shh ignore that for now. There’s several strange things about this. It contains nonchalant whistling, Brian Jones on an amazing saxophone (accompanied by a bright brass section, and Brian Jones doing vocals on the chorus. It’s quite an amazing composition, with so much things to note. It really plays on the bright LSD-type feeling, both in lyrics and style of the song. And, a shock, everything in the mix works. Even Keith Richards, who fits right in with his lead vocal introduction. And finally, we get a spoken exit, which ends the album in an elegant manner, if only the whole album felt like this.

9.5 / 10

I entered the album with low expectations. Several things were stacked against this album: Jagger hating it, me being told it’s a bad album, and I haven’t even heard of the songs beforehand except for Yesterday’s Papers. What shocked me, however, is finding out this album is an underlooked Stones album sandwiched between two different periods. Their “transition” period, really.

Almost all the songs are unique enough and strong enough to hold their own. Between the dabbles in psychedelic / baroque and heavy filters, the album rose above my expectations going in and had solidified it as one of my favorite Stones albums since Aftermath, and that’s a large statement. The album is not without it’s problems, which mainly stem from the mixes of the song. I guarantee the original, pre-remastered songs were much worse off, but most times certain instruments are just lazily added into the song. The drums, which have been very strong as of lately, are barely noticeable. Interesting instruments, like the harpsichord and the organ, disappear in the mix despite them having an important part in the song.

That being said, the songs are either good or bland. Mick Jagger doesn’t sound as inspired as usual, and everything sounds so one-leveled. This is good for some songs and kills other songs.

92.75 / 120

The album is very nice and unique, but none of the songs really make a lasting impression. At the time of listening, however, it makes for a nice experience. All together, it’s a great mix of songs with a large selection of what to listen to.
I can't say I recommend it, though. The album won't be for everyone, and especially not for the casual Rolling Stones fan (I think, because by that I mean people who only ventured into their hits.) But if you're looking for something new, look no further.