We live in an era of aging but potent greats. Madonna unleashed the fantastic ‘Confessions II’ only last week, a remarkable club-centric project for a 67-year-old. The same day also brought a new record from hard rock greats Deep Purple, while Bob Dylan – now well into his ninth decade – caused headlines by swapping his band for the Neverending Tour. Clearly, there’s something in the water.
The Rolling Stones have no intention of going quietly into the night. Living up to their trademark reputation as the World’s Greatest Rock ‘N’ Roll Band, new album ‘Foreign Tongues’ is richer, ballsier, and more entertaining than you have any real right to expect. Blitzed through in a matter of weeks at Metropolis Studios in West London, it’s a literal and figurative return to their roots that – when it fully clicks – represents some of their most potent work in decades.
The highlights are clear. Gutsy opener ‘Rough And Twisted’ gives way to stadium rocker ‘In The Stars’, matching studio finesse to the kind of spit ‘n’ sawdust boogie only The Rolling Stones can truly get away with. ‘Divine Intervention’ is a wicked Heartland infused rocker, packed with weekend energy and taut release. ‘Some Of Us’ a righteous, gospel infused performance – complete with fragile Keith Richards vocal – while the gloriously sleazy ‘Covered In You’ fades into the unique potency of ‘Side Effects’, with bombastic Ronnie Wood guitar work.
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It’s not all success, though. The squeaky Prince-like falsetto on ‘Jealous Lover’ doesn’t quite work for this reviewer, a take on Amy Winehouse classic ‘You Know I’m Not Good’ is fun but slight, and there are aspects when the production is a bit too smooth, the risk taking a little too averse. When the gloss is stripped away, though, The Rolling Stones remain a ferocious, formidable machine – countrified ‘Ringing Hollow’ is fantastic, rousing ballad ‘Back In Your Life’ is Mick Jagger’s finest vocal in years, and country blues stomper ‘Beautiful Delilah’ closes the album by taking the band back to their roots. You can’t help but feel even Brian Jones would approve.
There’s no sign of tour dates as yet from the Stones, and even rock’s foremost survivors can’t stem the tide of time forever. But on this evidence, it seems the Glimmer Twins and their motley crew have uncovered a potent elixir, a rattling, gloriously unfettered rock ‘n’ roll document that shames bands a quarter of their age. ‘Foreign Tongues’ isn’t perfect, but it’s unquestionably a triumph.
7/10
Words: Robin Murray
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