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Rating: The album is from '93. I know little about the big-lipped one's career outside of the Rolling Stones, and what I know about his career with the Rolling Stones excites me only to a certain extent. Damned rock star, stage animal, living legend, bla bla bla. I don't approve, but I don't contest.
So I limit myself to reviewing this CD, perhaps given to me by mistake or as a joke (considering my musical tastes...). Well, great CD, great gift!
Don't be fooled by the horrid cover. The drummer (a monster of skill) gives the count of four and we immediately kick off with "Wired all night", which has a momentum and rock sound that can't help but engage you. The Rolling-style chorus is nice, but it's the musical architecture of the song that forces you to shake your hips (perhaps in a less ridiculous way than he usually does...) even if you don't want to, even if you're skeptical. Pure energy.
Very engaging, albeit in a completely different way, is also "Sweet thing" that I struggle to categorize within known music genres, but which I can't help but applaud, especially for the choice of sounds and guitar riffs. "Out of focus" is a bit too Rolling Stones-esque but has its strength in the catchy chorus, while overall it is less intense and distinctive than the others. "Don’t tear me up" is listenable, while the next "Don’t put me in the trash" is a bit like a slower and less convincing poor copy of number 1. Together with two or three other tracks, it doesn't astound but doesn't bore (maybe just a tad bit), but it helps you quickly arrive at a gem like "Use me", where the undeniable talent of the old Mick blends sublimely with the best a certain Lenny Kravitz is (or was) able to offer. The track is truly engagingly swaying and rolling (by no chance), and doesn't tire at all despite being a bit repetitive and persistent. The two voices alternate and blend with class.
Other pieces that I consider negligible take us swiftly to "Think", another cannonball of Rock energy that we love and that messes up our hair. It's unclear who's more skilled in this explosive performance. Drums, guitar, bass, and horns are of such caliber they could infuriate anyone who has ever tried to play an instrument, yet the virtuosity blends with each other unpretentiously, and the superb ensemble of sounds finds its rightful guiding beacon in Mick's usual, old, not tall but wise voice. If this were not enough, the next song, which gives the album its title, is another great demonstration of wisdom in the selection of sounds and atmospheres. The technical/musical level is lower but no less engaging for that, and Mick navigates nimbly through a melody at times a bit country and absolutely fitting.
Tracks 11 and 12 bore me a little, but given the precedents I’m patient until reaching the beautiful and strange "Angel in my heart", with a kind of harpsichord (or thereabouts) that serves as a backdrop to a voice perhaps a bit too sweet here that chases the glories of "Lady Jane" without entirely succeeding. Yet overall, this one too stands and is heard. "Handsome Molly" I believe was a joke and fun and should remain as such.
In conclusion, I can only take off my hat and applaud big lips. The album works and rocks hard. Since the Rolling Stones usually tend to bore me a bit (sorry, but I can't change my mind), I wonder how much more this thin and somewhat effeminate being could have contributed to the history of music with musicians of different caliber beside him. He has already given a lot, to be clear, but the doubt remains for me.
As usual, I invite you to http://www.the4fabs.com/
Bye!
Tracklist Lyrics and Videos
02 Sweet Thing (04:19)
In the beginning, when life was simple
We were at each other night and day
You were so sensual and so inventive
We said we'd stick together come what may
In the beginning, you were so brutal
You turned the heat on in the afternoon
Get so excited, get so addicted
You had me eating from your golden spoon
Now I don't wanna spoil the party
I know it goes against the grain
As the plane touched down I got movies of you
Running through my fevered brain
I really love my sweet thing, I can't give her up
I really love my sweet thing, I can't give her up
I really love my sweet thing, I can't give her up
In the beginning, when we were winning
I was your ever-present love-sick fool
You turned the heat off and left me standing
Freezing by your swimming pool
I can't give it up
I can't give it up
I can't give it up
I can't give it up
Now I don't wanna spoil the party
I know it goes against the grain
As the plane touched down, and the midnight moon
Can't just walk away
Really love my sweet thing, wanna' lick it up
Really love my sweet thing, wanna' lick it up
Really love my sweet thing, can't give it up
Really love my sweet thing, can't give it up
04 Don't Tear Me Up (04:12)
Life is rich, but it's way too short
You make a lot of money, but you just want more
I don't need the pain right here in my heart
But I hate every minute when we're so far apart
It was love in a minute, it was love in a flash
It brings me no pleasure, just a stab in the back
It brings me no comfort, it brings me no peace
A weight on my shoulder, it's a fatal disease
So don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your picture again
And don't poison my blood
I don't ever wanna see your face here no more
Gonna finish it quick, gonna finish it clean
Don't wanna be bitter. I don't wanna be mean
I feel like we're driving down a dead-end street
I've come so far I wanna crash the car
I wanna land right on my feet
I said don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your picture again
I said don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your face here no more
But I dream of you constantly, you'll be my angel of light
And in the dark rooms of sleeplessness
You'll be my lover each night
Life is a bitch, it's way too short
Unlike a politician it just can't be bought
Think about the tenderness, and think about the craziness
And if you ever wanna hate me come and
Stick a knife right in my chest
I said don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your picture again
I said don't tear me up
I don't ever wanna see your face here no more
I said don't tear me up
I said don't tear me up
I said don't poison my blood
I don't ever wanna see your picture again
05 Put Me in the Trash (03:35)
Yeah you put me in the trash
yeah you gave me up for lost
Now I see that you're doing alright
Take a look at me and count the cost
Baby can't you see I'm short on greens
I am your long lost man, you don't recognize me
I used to load you up with cash
I used to dress you like a dream
All the fancy food, you always wolfed it down
Yeah but you never made a scene
Baby can't you see, I'm no fantasy
I am your long lost man, you don't recognize me
Standing around in the rain, with my hands froze
Looking around for small change in your window
Out in the cold once again, write out a cheque for old flames
Pity for old time sake, I'll make your heart glow
Yeah, I'm your long lost man, don't you recognize me
Gimme some money baby, I'm broke
Why don't you, why don't you dig right down in your purse
And gimme some dough
Yeah don't you remember me baby
Don't you remember all those Jean Paul Gaultier dresses
I bought you and all those tickets to the opera
What about that bright red Ferrari I bought you now
And all those, and all those shoes
Yeah I know it's the recession baby, but give me some money
Yeah come on now be generous
Oh yeah alright
07 Evening Gown (03:32)
People say that I'm high class
But I'm low down all the while
People think That I'm crazy
When I flash that California smile
But I can still paint the town
All the colour of your evening gown
While I'm waiting for your blonde hair
To turn grey
People say I'm a drinker
But I'm sober half the time
People say I'm a loser
But I get lucky on the side
Yeah but I can still paint the town
All the colour of your evening gown
While I'm waiting for your blonde hair
To turn grey
All my life I waited for
Someone who would show where the bliss is
All my life I waited for
Someone who would take me past the kissing
People say I'm a loner
I like to get lost in the crowds
People call me a dresser
I wear my sports clothes way too loud
Yeah but I can still paint the town
I can shake it and turn it upside down
While I'm waiting for your blonde hair
While I'm waiting for your blonde hair
While I'm waiting for your blonde hair
To turn grey
09 Think (02:59)
Think about the sacrifices that I made for you
Think about the hard times that you put me through
Think about the good things that I done for you
Think about the bad things that I tried not to do
Come on baby
Think about the good things
Think about the bad things
Think about the right things
Think about the wrong things
And baby before you leave me you'll realize
That I'm the one who loves you
How much of the happiness can you really claim
How many tears have I shed, am I not to blame
Though I can't remember what went wrong
I tried so hard to please you, least that's what I thought
Come on baby
Think about the good things
Think about the bad things
Think about the right things
Think about the wrong things
And baby before you leave me you'll realize
That I'm the one who loves you
Come on baby
Think about the good things
Think about the bad things
Think about the right things
Think about the wrong things
And baby before you leave me you'll realize
That I'm the one who loves you
Think about the sacrifices that I made for you
Think about the hard times that you put me through
Think about the good things that i done for you
Think about the bad things that I tried not to do
Come on baby
Think about the good things
Think about the bad things
Think about the right things
Think about the wrong things
Come on baby
Think about the good things
And baby before you leave me you'll realize
That I'm the one who loves you
And baby before you leave me you'll realize
That I'm the one who loves you
And baby before you leave me you'll realize
That I'm the one who loves you
11 Hang on to Me Tonight (04:36)
Like a picture you came into my life
Like a picture the colours fade away
Love is fragile, you hide it from the light
It lasts forever and always stays the same
Like a movie, you swept into my life
And like a movie, the stars just fade away
Hang on to me tonight
Stay close to me all day
Hang on to me tonight
Stay close to me all day
Ah, honey, while there's youth upon your face
Ah, honey, are you tiring of the race
My cards are on the table
You can get up and walk away
Or stay
Like a movie, you swept into my life
And like a movie, the stars just fade away
All the characters are mouthing out their lines
And the love scenes are shot in shades of grey
Hang on to me tonight
Stay close to me all day
Hang on to me tonight
Stay close to me all day
Ah, baby, while there's youth upon your face
Ah, baby, don't you lose that natural grace
My cards are on the table
You can get up and walk away
Or stay
Hang on to me tonight
Stay close to me all day
Hang on to me tonight
Stay close to me all day
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