The Stones Still Signing Big Deals
Friday, July 25th, 2008
Today it was announced that the Rolling Stones had signed a new deal with Universal Music that will cover their back catalogue from 1971 on. Universal also has the rights to the band’s Decca recordings from the 1960’s, which means for the first time the Rolling Stones’ entire catalogue is under the same roof. I’m sure this means we can look forward to a whole bunch of reissues of albums many of us already have but will want to buy again if it’s worth our while (rare and unreleased songs, hopefully).
Another part of the deal will be any new Rolling Stones albums, which personally I would be happy to hear. 2005’s “A Bigger Bang” was a solid piece of work, the first time that the old line about a new Stone release being “their best since Tattoo You” actually ringing true. “A Bigger Bang” was a stripped down group of songs that actually found Mick and Keith writing together shoulder to shoulder, something that probably hadn’t been done in 30-odd years. The end result was an album that holds up after repeat listenings, which you couldn’t really say about either “Steel Wheels” or “Voodoo Lounge” (on the other hand, I did enjoy “Bridges to Babylon” but I think I’m in the minority there). A few people I know didn’t like Jagger’s lyrics on “A Bigger Bang”, since they were lascivious and sexual. To them I say, that’s what Mick does. He’s been doing it from the beginning; why change now? Do any of us want to hear Mick Jagger sing about what it’s like for him being 60-something? Then again, I bet it’s the same as when he was in his 20’s. Girls, music, and girls.
If the Rolling Stones do actually record another album, I hope that they build on what they achieved with “A Bigger Bang”; don’t worry about having a hit album, just write a solid collection of songs.
Your weekend bonus code is BIGGERBANG. Have a good one, and while you’re at it, wish Sir Mick a happy 65th birthday.