The Rolling Stones Album: “It's Only Rock & Roll”

Some commentaries may feel that Its Only Rock N Roll is just a standard by the numbers release by the Rolling Stones. However, in addition to the usual brand of in your face rock n roll, there are some nice experimental pieces like the funky Fingerprint File, the tender acoustic gem Till The Next Goodbye, and the stunning Time Waits For No One.

Yes, Time Waits For No One is a definite album highlight with the super guitar soloing by Mick Taylor against the back drop of stunning keyboard work by Nicky Hopkins. Its nice that Mick Jagger gave up some of the spotlight on this song to Mick Taylor as Mickie T certainly added a great deal to the Stones sound with his ellaborate solos. Its a shame that he was not allowed to contribute more.

Anyway, If You Can't Rock Me and Aint To Proud To Beg are a super one two punch combination to the open the album. Its Only Rock N Roll is a good tune if a bit overplayed. Like the reggae touches on Luxury. Dance Little Sister is a nice rocker if a little bit basic. If You Really Want To Be My Friend does drag a little bit in spite of some nice organ touches and background vocals. Short and Curlies is both amusing and crude with rollicking piano contributions by Ian Stewart.

Well there you have it. I commented on every song. A very good recording although not quite on the same level as Sticky Fingers, Exile, Beggars Banquet, etc.... But pick it up anyway as there are several tracks(Fingerprint File, If You Can't Rock Me, Time Waits For No One, Aint Too Proud To Beg) which need to be in the collection of any Rolling Stones fan.

Released in 1974 while they were still at the top of their game, The Rolling Stones scored their 4th consecutive number one album with 'It's Only Rock 'N' Roll". It was also the last one to feature Mick Taylor, the most versatile member of the group.

"It's Only Rock 'N' Roll" kicks off into high gear with "If You Can't Rock Me", followed by a scorching cover of "Ain't Too Proud To Beg". Next comes the libidinous title track, a jaunty singalong that has become a classic. The album tones down a few notches with the lovely acoustic ballad "Til The Next Time We Say Goodbye". Following is Mick Taylor's magnum opus "Time Waits For No One", featuring a 3 - minute guitar solo that rivals the one on "Free Bird". "Luxury" is a faux - reggae track that is very enjoyable, while "Dance Little Sister" is all - out rock. "If You Really Want To Be My Friend" is a nice soul ballad, and "Short And Curlies" is a cute ditty. "Fingerprint File" closes the album, and is filled with excellent hooks and grooves.

Overall, an excellent album crying out for recognition.

This album pretty much marked the second career of the Stones. They were being called the worlds greatest rock and roll band, but at the same time they were going through a transition period with their sound. Jagger musta been listening to a lot of soul and R&B during this period. They do a very respectable version of the Temptations "Ain't Too Proud To Beg", which is still a pretty popular tune on the oldies stations. He also does some funky soul on "Fingerprint File". The rest of the album though, is pretty much just rock and roll. The title song, "It's Only Rock And Roll", with that familiar opening guitar riff, plus "Dance Little Sister" also still remain popular airplays. The song though, that still remains my favorite Stones tune to this day, is "Time Waits For No One". What a great song! This one alone is worth the price admission here. The guitar interplay between Mick Taylor and Keith Richards on this is simply delicious. The Stones had never done anything like this six string jam before, or since. It would have been nice if they would have done more of this type of material on this record, because Richards and Taylor played great off of each other. For some reason though, this was Mick Taylor's last album with the Stones. I guess there was just one too many Mick's in the band for the Glimmer Twins to handle at the time. As for this album, it's a little erratic in spots, but still, with the exception of "Exile On Main Street" and "Some Girls", this holds up well with the rest of their latter day albums. Like the title says, it's only rock and roll, and for the most part, I liked it.

Being an avid classic rock listener in general, I certainly believe this is a great album of that genre. Although many may not believe that this album is up to par with the albums from 1968 to 1972, the songs on this album truly are excellent. From the opening rocker of "If you can't rock me" to the raunchy "It's only rock'n'roll" to the beautiful guitar work of Mick Taylor on "Time Waits for no One" to the final funky closer "Fingerprint File", there is not a single weak spot on this album. Even if the album isn't up there with the Stones' very greatest, isn't that a hell of a lofty expectation to think that a group can continually produce works of absolute genius? If this album were by a less known group with no reputation preceding them, the reviews would be very different. People may argue that this is not the Stones' best, but nonetheless this a great album. Don't listen to the people giving it one star.

This is Mick Taylor's last album and he provides exquisite lead guitar on "Time Waits for No One". When played on the radio the choice from this album is usually "It's Only Rock n' Roll (But I like it)", but there are far more interesting songs on the album, "Til the Next Time We Say Goodbye" (reminiscent of the earlier more personal Jagger back when they were more English than American), the funky, jazzy "Fingerprint File", the richly textured reggae-influenced rhythm guitar of "Luxury", all of the songs are good. "Short and Curlies" is kind of rollicking interlude that would have fit right in on "Exile on Main Street". "If You Really Want to Be My Friend" is a more serious version of the "Angie" sentiment. There is a strong, very Temptations-like but nevertheless all Stones version of "Ain't Too Proud to Beg". "Dance Little Sister" and "If You Can't Rock Me" are strong traditional heavy rockers, with heavy Bill Wyman bass lines. There is an interesting mix of styles and moods, very clean but very clever variations on the production, with the expected and undeniable instrumental and vocal brilliance.