46. The Rolling Stones - England's Newest Hitmakers

Artist: The Rolling Stones
Album: The Rolling Stones AKA England's Newest Hitmakers
Year: 1964

So finally we can start comparing the two most famous of all British bands, the Beatles and the Stones. The Beatles always seemed to be associated with a clean image and melodic and catchy songwriting. The Stones, to the contrary, seemed to be bad boys who followed more of a blues-rock blueprint with grittier music and sleazier lyrics. At least at first--it wouldn't be long before The Beatles would be "doing it in the road," as it were.

This album, the Stones' debut, started off with a cover of Buddy Holly's "Not Fade Away." It's a pretty faithful rendition but if I had to choose between the two, I'd pick the original. The rest of the songs on this set (with one exception in "Tell Me") are also covers, and it's quite frankly an unremarkable set. It pretty much mines the same territory as a lot of the rock-and-rollers of the 1950's and early 1960's like Little Richard and James Brown. "Carol" is a great little tune and is very close in melody to Chuck Berry's "Johnny B. Goode." "Tell Me" is the only original in this set, and is one of the highlights. It's got a high-school prom kind of feel to it, a slow burner with a great hook and nice harmonies (way less pristine than those of The Beatles). This would've fit in at the "Enchantment Under the Sea" dance, for sure. It makes me wonder why it's the only original in this collection. "Can I Get a Witness," man, I just heard this one on the Dusty Springfield album. The Rolling Stones' version is a solid little James Brown-esque number. "You Can Make It If You Try," well shit, I just heard this one on the Solomon Burke album. It features prominent Hammond organ but is otherwise just decent.

It's clear to me at this stage of the game, The Rolling Stones were nowhere near the songwriters (melodically, harmonically, rhythmically, you name it) that The Beatles were, but there is something admirable about their more shambolic approach. They are certainly a looser bunch. In the end, there's little in this album that suggests that the Stones would become a band of major renown, and it's truly amazing they've persisted as long as they have.

Rating: Worth a listen (barely)