The Rolling Stones Album: “Bridges To Babylon”

A psudo-sequel to their similarly under-rated "Voodoo Lounge," The Stones'"Bridges To Babylon" is similar in tone and content (which is a good thing), but has less of the lulls and clutter that plagued that previous effort in spots (which is an even better thing). "Bridges" is fast-paced, straight-ahead rocker full of diverse and atypical Stones tracks. Never do we not know we are listening to the Stones, but we are often surprised at what we are hearing from them. Witness "Might as Well Get Juiced." It's not just the more experimental cuts that will leave listeners pleasently surprised, but the hard-edge return to old-school-Stones form that pops up from time to time. "Gunface," for instance, is the type of seathing, "Jumpin' Jack Flash/Gimme Shelter" cut the band used to turn out so effortlessly. While nothing here is admittedly at the level of those classics, that is certainly no reason to miss out on an all around great album. Compaired to the high standards of classic Stones cuts it may not stand out much, but compared to almost all of their albums from the previous decade, and to any album from any band at the time, "Bridges to Babylon" is far and away at the top of its class. "Out of Control" and "Saint of Me," however, do, to these ears, rank among the bands' classics. And Keith closes the album with two wheezy ballads that should grind the whole affair to a screetching hult; and undoubtably would from almost anyone else. Somehow it not only works, but stands up with the rest of the album, even towing over the two ballads Mick submits. "Bridges" is an ambitious amalgam of different musical styles all poured through a Rolling Stones filter. The result is never less than an enjoyable classic rock and roll listen - done by the band best at doing it - and it is often a lot more.

I wish everybody would just stop bad mouthing the Stones because I don't think this album is that bad and I'm not goin to be a disloyal jerk and put it down just because they're getting a bit old. True its not as good as Exile(what could be?) But you don't have to act like they should commit suicide or something. I thought Anybody Seen My Baby was an excellent song. The rest of the songs were also pretty good, especially Keiths. I don't like Bridges quite as much as I like Voodoo Lounge but I don't despise it neither.I think its pretty cool that after all these years they still sound like their in their 20s and they can still get out on the road and tour and that Mick is still so energetic and can dance around like he did when he was younger. So I say, Long Live The Stones!

After three decent but unsatisfying albums in a row-86's "Dirty Work", 89's "Steel Wheels" and 94's "Voodoo Lounge", the Stones had sort of lulled me into believing that these types of albums were all we would ever get from them again. But in 1997, they shocked the hell out of me and released their best overall album since "Some Girls" in 1978. Every song on here is great and every musician in the band shines on every song, including the newest Stone,Bass player Darryl Jones. There is hard rock("Flip the Switch"), funk ("Anybody Seen My Baby"),soulful ballads("Already Over Me","How Can I Stop") and one of their best funky blues numbers "Might As Well Get Juiced",given a 90's techno twist by The Dust Brothers that pushes it over the top. Supposedly, Mick and Keith fought a lot over using different producers on this project and even stopped speaking at one point(what else is new?), but their conflict and drama led to some of their most brilliantly dramatic and conflicted music in a long time.The tour that accompanied this album was record breaking and musically was one of their best and this album was successful, but given the level of the material, should have been much more so.

Leaving behind the embarrassing smut of "Voodoo Lounge", the Stones made an admirable effort at experimentation with "Bridges to Babylon". Although it's interesting to hear their bluesy sound blended with techno effects, the record still works best with the classic Stones tradition of "Too Tight", a great rocker, "Out of Control" which is a gripping glimpse into the whole crossroads myth (is Mick trying to tell us something?)and "Saint of Me" which has great Keith riffs (reminds me of the Let it Bleed LP) and revelatory lyrics from Mick. Jagger hasn't sounded this self-aware than since "Wandering Spirit. Keith's "Don't Have to Mean It" could've waited for another solo album, and the loveliness of "Already over Me" is soured by Mick's tiresome fake southern drawl. OK, it worked on "Honkytonk Women", but enough already! The worst offering here is "Gunface", a brutal song about blowing your woman's head off, or at least making her think you will. It's vicious lyrics are irresponsible. Keith's savage guitar riffing makes the song a celebration, which to me is evil. But the Stones being evil is what appeals to some people; to me it's just immature. Anyway the LP ends with the compelling "Thief in the Night", and the soothing "How Can I Stop" both from Richards. Oh, and the opener, "Flick the Switch" rocks awkwardly, and is another Jagger "give me a jumpstart" clone of Start Me Up. Too many backing musicians and producers on this disk; why is Waddy Wachtel playing guitar on nearly every track? Strip it down for the next one boys, I like to hear some space between the sounds.

When is everyone going to realize that this band cannot and probably never will release anything on par with Exile, Beggars, Let it Bleed or Sticky Fingers? It just won't happen. Having said this, there simply is not one album by the Stones that is not worth owning if you are a fan. This album happens to be their best effort since Tattoo You. Of course there are a few songs that are not too memorable but there are some great ones like gunface, too tight and as per usual-Keith's numbers are fantastic. If you are a Stones fan this is a must have, trust me. I love to talk music, e-mail me at rots54@hotmail.com.