I've already written about how much I love the new Beatles single, and now I've had a chance to listen to the Stones. I like it, but I don't love it.
Remember when Voodoo Lounge was released, and everyone said it was the best thing since Some Girls? This is what they're saying here. And when was the last time Voodoo Lounge was mentioned? It's not hard to be "the best since" when everything else has been average.
The songs, for the most part, are fine. It's the album that is very overproduced, a wall of guitars. It's easy to get sucked in by the gospel infused Sweet Sounds of Heaven, but listen to it a couple of times and it's lyrically lightweight. Their last great album was Some Girls, partly for the great songs, but also because it was just the band. Space between the instruments, rough edges, and the guitars playng off each other.
I will listen to it from time to time, but I wish they had gone with an older sound. But we all have different tastes, and I know some will love it.
Enjoy.