The Rolling Stones (Album)

The Rolling Stones

Released
April 16, 1964

Route 66

(Bobby Troup)

So here we start, at Route 66. Nice guitar work by whatever guitarist picked this up. Jagger’s voice works well in the Rock and Roll scene. All together it’s a nice cover.

3.5/5

I Just Want To Make Love To You

(Willie Dixon)

Some more good guitar work by either Brian or Keith (Wiki says Keith), although I can’t say the same for Jagger’s vocal work. It’s a decent cover, but nothing special.

3 / 5

Honest I Do

(Jimmy Reed)

These blues numbers are a lot better than I remember them being. Maybe it’s the remastering’s doing. Very short, which is weird considering Reed’s original goes for about three minutes. Maybe it was better short.

2.5/5

Mona

(Ellas McDaniel)

Also known as I Need You Baby, I think. Good shaker or maraca work by whoever, but mostly generic that I think blends in with other attempts at R&B.

2.5/5

Now I’ve Got A Witness

(Nanker Phelge)

Ian Stewart’s organ and whoever’s harmonica (could be Jagger, could be Jones) works really well together. That could be because I really like the sound of a good organ. The solo at the end also sounds nice.

4/5

Little By Little

(Nanker Phelge and Phil Spector)

A good rocking tune. I thought the song was going to be dominated by Jagger’s vocals, but once his harmonica solo ended it was a good mix of instruments and vocals. But honestly, in the end it’s nothing special.

3.5/5

I’m a King Bee

(Slim Harpo)

I can’t tell if that’s a bass or a rhythm guitar doing that slide up, but it sounds good. Jagger’s voice work is a bit under par on this song, unfortunately, but nothing too bad.

3/5

Carol

(Chuck Berry)

Guitar work is great, I just don’t think Jagger’s voice can replace Chuck Berry’s. I appreciate their choice to cover Carol instead of something that’s been covered more, like Roll Over Beethoven. It’s different, and that’s what you need to succeed.  In the end, it’s a really good cover, but I don’t feel comfortable giving it a 4, and that’s the main flaw of having 5 numbers to choose from.

3.75/5

Tell Me (You’re Coming Back)

(Mick Jagger and Keith Richards)

The only song on the album that isn’t a cover. I want to like this song, and I feel like if I listen to it some more I can appreciate it. But here’s my reason for not liking it as much as I want to. I appreciate it when The Rolling Stones do harmonies, they seem to go well with the voice of Jagger. But I didn't like how they harmonized together on this. It also cuts off, which was a bit weird. It’s a well written song, however that just doesn't do quite enough in my opinion. But like I said, this feels like a good song that might become great over time.

4/5

Can I Get a Witness

(Brian Holland, Lamond Dozier and Eddie Holland)

I don’t like how Jagger sounds on this, and the rest is average.

2.5/5

You Can Make It If You Try

(Ted Jarrett)

Average song. Nothing special, and that’s even with an organ backing it up.

2.5/5

Walking the Dog

(Rufus Thomas)

I don’t know what The Stones thought they were doing cover this. Whoever is doing backing vocals seems to have the right attitude, but Jagger doesn't have the right voice for this. And it almost sounds calm (excluding the solo, which is nice), which is the last thing this song should be. But I will forgive them this time as the guitar work is nice, even if Jagger doesn't have enough “umph” to do it.

3/5

12 songs, total rating of 5.

37.75 / 60

Overall average album. You can’t ask for too much on a debut album, and I think this fulfills everything The Rolling Stones could’ve done. Guitar solos and guitar work in general if fantastic, featuring full sound. What kept me away from The Stones for so long, Jagger’s voice, is very hit and miss on the album. He tries to put his unique voice into situations where it doesn't belong (example, Walking the Dog). The whole album would be a 3.6 in my book, with 3 I guess being OK/average and 4 being great. And 5, I guess, being fantastic life changing and perfect. (This was the first album I "reviewed", and I realized a 5 needs to be 10 times more lenient)