Hackney Diamonds Review
I’ve never been that big of a Rolling Stones fan. I like a lot of hits, of course, but I’ve never owned a record, seen them live, or done a deep dive of the group. When Steel Wheels came out in 1989, I remember really liking Mixed Emotions. When A Bigger Bang was released in 2005 I recall really enjoying Rough Justice. Those minor flirtations with really good songs didn’t really inspire me to go much further with the band. Now, 18 years since their last release, The Rolling Stones are back with Hackney Diamonds, a new collection of rock and roll tunes for the geriatric set. Or is it?
It’s not news that rock music-the sort of masculine-dominated “sex drugs and rock and roll” guitar-driven rock that dominated arenas in the 70’s , 80s and 90s- has been on a sharp decline. Of course, no one told the olds. This type of music still packs stadiums and arenas, flows freely from car stereos and even dominates much of the catalogue music sales charts. While the Stones are necessarily going to or even trying to appeal to a youthful audience, their upcoming tour is sponsored by AARP after all, they apparently WERE interested in making a great straight forward rock record. With an eye on keeping things modern, they retained the services of producer du jour Andrew Watt. Watt has parlayed an early career of working with pop stars like Justin Bieber into an impressive career working studio magic with everyone from the likes of Post Malone, Dua Lipa and Miley Cyrus to rock legends Ozzy Osbourne and Pearl Jam. Watt has an ear for guiding artists to make listenable music that connects with the intended audience and beyond. His success creates a bit of a buzz. That is certainly what piqued my interest.
A few music friends I respect began really heaping praise on Hackney Diamonds shortly after its release. Then, I heard someone say wow, The Rolling Stones made a Hanoi Rocks album. And I agree, they did! Let’s back up. Hanoi Rocks is a Finnish rock act from the 80’s best known for having their drummer get killed in a car accident with Motley' Crue’s Vince Neil. It’s a shame, because if you’re a fan of the better bands of the 80’s hard rock and metal scenes (think Guns N Roses), you’d probably really like Hanoi Rocks. The lack of stateside success and the untimely death of the aforementioned Razzel Dingley ensured Hanoi Rocks were more of a footnote than a global phenomenon. But their blues-based glam rock sound always reminded me of what a punk version of The Rolling Stones would probably sound like. With Hackney Diamonds, The Rolling Stones deliver on that promise.
I was eight songs into the record before I realized I was smiling like a goon and tapping my feet the entire time. The goofy lyrics on Live by the Sword finally took me out of my stupor, but even that song with its rollicking piano and gang vocals is pretty good. By the time Jagger growls “Gone gone GONE!” before the guitar solo, I was back on board. Hackney Diamonds is the kind of straight forward rock record that shines with moments of brilliance while chugging along solidly the entire time.
Opener, Angry, has the kind of instantly recognizable one-two punch of Stones guitar riff/Jagger vocals that instantly grabs you and reminds you why guitar-based rock was so popular and dominant for so long. The chorus is catchy, the music is fun and the video with Sidney Sweeny driving through LA in her best black rock attire is a throwback.
Get Close continues the standard formula, simple guitar riff, Jagger swagger, catch chorus, guitar solo, rinse repeat. Jagger growls with confidence and sounds better than ever. As the music pulses and rises around him he leads this rock and roll circus with a swagger of a man three quarters his age.
The band slows things down with Depending on You, a meandering Whose Gonna Ride Your Wild Horses type ballad befitting of middle career stones before kicking thing back into gear for the next few songs. Bite My Head Off and Whole Wide World are rockers and remind me most of Hanoi Rocks. Catchy melodic choruses are built on top of a sturdy combination of punk-influenced blues-based rock foundations. You can SEE Jagger snarling “they want to break your walls in those slimy walls”. Featuring a killer guitar solo and a slow post solo breakdown, this is an absolute bop.
It’s understandable to be wary of Sweet Sounds of Heaven, the 7 minute epic featuring Lady Gaga. But don’t be. Sure, it’s long. Sure, it’s bloated, but in the best November Rain way possible. Jagger and Gaga go after each other, hitting crazy notes as the song builds to a ridiculous crescendo before going off the rails in a buzzsaw of screams, oh oh ohs, yeah yeah yeahs, and some other nonsense. It’s way too much but it’s incredibly fucking fun.
Finally, if the lo-fi cover of Muddy Waters tacked on the end of this album isn’t intended to be a fare the well to the Stone’s recorded catalog, I don’t know what is. Often, these blues covers feel unnecessary, a throwaway add-on but this feels intentional.
Hackney Diamonds is not an album we need. It’s not an album we expect. And it certainly is not something that you’d expect to be as good as it is. Rock music like this is not often in regular rotation on my turntable or phone but this long play has definitely earned a post there. And a mention as one of the best albums of the year.
