Hackney Diamonds Album Review: The Rolling Stones Take Center Stage

2023-10-20 08:48:30

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The Rolling Stones: Hackney Diamonds Album Review

The second half of Hackney Diamonds feels like a collection of songs created specifically for advertising purposes, meant to be sold to promote other products or brands. As noted by David Remnick in 2010, The Rolling Stones have earned an impressive $2 billion over the past three decades, largely thanks to lucrative sync deals with beer and software companies. The track "Get Close" seems tailor-made for a Cialis commercial, with its catchy hook perfectly suited for a happy older couple. James King's saxophone solo provides a fitting accompaniment to the side-effects disclaimers that often come at the end of such ads. On the other hand, "Dreamy Skies," a meandering country blues song about escaping to the wilderness without any modern connections, could very well spark a bidding war between Jeep and Subaru. Despite these tracks lacking the distinctive quality of prime Stones cuts and being as bland as talcum powder, Mick Jagger's unmistakable and smooth vocals, enhanced by technological advancements and the production of Watt and his team of engineers, offer a dream come true for any marketing team.

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Watt's Production Approach

Considering that this is the first album produced by Watt for The Rolling Stones, it's quite an accomplishment, especially considering that it's only the fifth album they've released since his birth. However, this isn't his first rodeo. In addition to working with artists like Post Malone, Miley Cyrus, and Justin Bieber, Watt has also helmed sessions with the likes of Ozzy Osbourne, Iggy Pop, and Elton John, who himself makes frequent appearances on Hackney Diamonds. Unlike Rick Rubin, who embraces the age and experience of veteran artists, Watt pushes The Rolling Stones towards a more contemporary sound, compelling them to showcase their younger selves within a somewhat mismatched modern context. Watt's approach leans heavily towards the alternative rock sound of the early 2000s, reminiscent of bands like Collective Soul and Franz Ferdinand, resulting in a polished, but somewhat lifeless, rendition. Alarmingly, Jagger has never sounded so youthful, while Keith Richards' guitar solos demonstrate conventionality and efficiency but lack the distinctive character that has defined his career. Essentially, Hackney Diamonds is like upgrading a classic muscle car with shiny, plastic parts, losing the essence and charm that made it special in the first place.

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A Glimpse of Authenticity

The first nine songs on Hackney Diamonds reflect The Rolling Stones' tightly-wound approach, bordering on the verge of snapping. The band's renowned free-spirited and loose indulgence takes a backseat to the need for meticulous precision and mechanization. However, there is a welcomed shift near the end of the album when Richards takes the lead on "Tell Me Straight," a vulnerable and introspective song questioning the odds of a relationship's survival. With its occasional dissonance and weathered tone, this track offers a much-needed break from the exhausting and timeless pursuit of perfection that dominates Hackney Diamonds. Moreover, it serves as a reminder of how Richards and The Rolling Stones' laid-back style influenced bands like Slint and Sonic Youth. This particular song showcases the unfiltered honesty and unrelenting age in Richards' guitar licks and lyrics. Fortunately for Keef, his solos on Hackney Diamonds may go down as some of the most routine and forgettable in his illustrious career.

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