Album #6

 

Album: Aftermath
Artist: The Rolling Stones
Released: 1966
Label: Decca (UK release)
Genre: Rock/Blues Rock

This album is a pretty interesting evolution for this band. I grew up on the Stones. In my collegiate years, I read through the book Beatles vs. Stones by John McMillian, which outlined the evolution of both groups: the Beatles evolving from leather-jacket wearing hooligans to the clean cut Fab Four and the Stones from matching jacket wearing goodie goodies to the bad boys of rock and roll. And this album shows that turning point for the Rolling Stones. 

The album's content is crisp, the lyrics satirical, and the music solid. Is it perfect? Nah. But the sardonic wit against the status quo is what makes this album fantastic. Are some of the things a bit misogynistic? Yeah, we can't ignore that. I mean, the leadoff track is about a woman relying on a pill addiction to get through the day ("running for the shelter of her mother's little helper"). Some of the references to women are a bit off putting, but I doubt the band meant this in malice.

I must submit that I did listen to the UK release of this album (from Decca), which has 4 extra tracks, whereas the US release (on London) has one of my favorite songs of all time, "Paint It, Black". In either case, this album is a solid entry to rock and roll and shows roots of later developing genres in the 70s. It's kind of wild to see how music has evolved, and this one definitely gives rise to the early punk rock sound. Sure, some of the ideas presented are no longer as topical, but the rebellious sound of this album are entrancing. 

Rating: 4.3 stars