Rolling Stones aren't my favorite band in the world, but they do have hits that I like. While I've only reviewed one album in the past here, their 1964 debut, this is officially my first venture into a full album from the 80's.
I covered a lot of ground in the overall history of the group in my above noted post, so I won't retread their inception. Instead, let's head to 1978 where the band re-established themselves with the release of, Some Girls, which featured the hit Miss You. This led to a series of tours, as the band continued to record and release new material into the early 80's.
However, by 1983, rifts between Jagger and Richards were peaking. This led to the two band members focusing more on their solo careers, with Richards even stating he was losing interest in the Rolling Stones. Which is odd, because when it came time to work on their 1986 album, it would be Richards and Wood who would drive the record to completion, with Jagger being mainly absent from the studio. The singer would also refuse to tour to promote the album, and instead set out for solo shows.
This is where the train stops for today's Retro Spin, where we spin up Dirty Work, and see just how it was. Before doing so, I will remind everyone that Rolling Stones really aren't that big to me. Do I like their hits? Sure. Are they the greatest band in the world? Not to me.
I did enjoy hearing the opening song, One Hit (To The Body). However, beyond that, Harlem Shuffle, the song I got the album for, and Sleep Tonight were the only other tunes I nabbed for my shuffle. Mind you, the latter was a toss up, and one that I'll have to listen to again later to see if it does indeed make the cut.
I think what surprised me the most about the overall album was the heavy use of backup singers, and lack of lead vocals from Jagger on a handful of tracks. This isn't what I expected from such an established band. Though with that said, it's also no surprise considering the above noted history of Dirty Work's recording sessions.
It's a decent album, but it by no means blows me away, or makes me feel like I absolutely have to hear more from them. That in and of itself was unexpected.
In 1989, the band was inducted into the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame, and with this honor, both Jagger and Richards set aside their indifference, returning to the studio to record and release their final album of the decade, Steel Wheels. They followed this up with a massive tour of the world, their first in seven years.
While this was followed by a long break, the band has since released a handful of additional albums. However, with band members now in their 80's, though they could release a new album, I would doubt they have it in them to endure any further touring, at least on any grand scale.
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS January 17, 1981 |
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| THIS WEEK ON THE CHARTS January 17, 1987 |
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