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Non-Prog CD Reviews

The Rolling Stones

Tattoo You

Review by Gary Hill

The Rolling Stones have been an institution for a long time. It's cool that they are still rocking in the modern era. This album from 1981 shows how classic the band is. The disc, other than a couple tunes, really could have come from just about any era (well, perhaps other than the 60s) of the group. It's just a classic Stones album. While there a couple hits here (and they are strong tunes), in some ways it's the numbers that were more overlooked that really work the best. However you slice it, though, this is a Rolling Stones album. That kind of tells you what you'll get.
 
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Track by Track Review
Start Me Up

The lead track really starts it up in style. This is a high energy rocker that's all Stones. It was a huge hit, so it's a safe bet you've heard it.

Hang Fire
I dig the old school rock and roll vibe of this cut. It's a fun tune with a bit of a punk edge.
Slave
This is the kind of thing that's sort of classic Stones. It has a cool retro rock and roll vibe with some cool backing vocals and retro keyboard sounds. I can almost make out hints of something like David Bowie at times, though. This has a very 1970s Stones sound to it for sure. The sax brings something special to the piece. This is a solid groove, but not one of the highlights.
Little T&A
Keith Richards sings this cut.  Keef is definitely a better guitarist than he is a singer. This is a straightforward rocker that works pretty well and brings some variety to the table.
Black Limousine
This is very much an old school styled rocker. It's also very much a blues based thing. The harmonica returns on this, too.
Neighbours
Here is a hard rocking, punky kind of jam. It's a fun Stones stomper. This feels like something that would have fit well on Some Girls.
Worried About You
Jagger's falsetto on this tune brings a real classic soul sound to the piece. This is very much a 70s styled cut. This is really a great tune that is trademark Stones.
Tops
Another that feels like it could have come from a 1970s Stones album, this is so cool. It's a mid-tempo tune that's not quite a ballad and not quite a rocker. It has some great instrumental and vocal elements at play. It reminds me a bit of "Fool to Cry."
Heaven
A trippy kind of 70s Stones groove is all over this great cut, too. It's another classic tune.
No Use In Crying
Again, this feels like a slice of 1970s Rolling Stones. It's another slower tempo piece that works really well. In fact, I'd consider this one to be a highlight of the disc.
Waiting on a Friend
This soulful number is melodic and very cool. It's another that was a hit, and it's a highlight. It's another that anyone reading this review has probably heard numerous times, too.
 
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