46. The Rolling Stones - Rolling Stones (1964)

1. Not Fade Away
2. Route 66
3. I Just Want To Make Love To You
4. Honest I Do
5. Now I’ve Got A Witness
6. Little By Little
7. I’m A King Bee
8. Carol
9. Tell Me
10. Can I Get A Witness
11. You Can Make It If You Try
12. Walking The Dog

In the 21st century, the Rolling Stones are more or less synonymous with "over-the-hill rock band". We've all been horrified by Mick Jagger's continued prancing around the stage despite appearing in imminent danger of breaking a hip, and we've all marveled at how Keith Richards can still be alive when he looks like that. Considering all this, it's weird hearing these guys sound so young and innocent (compared to their later records, certainly).

The Stones were billed basically from the beginning as the anti-Beatles, and it's immediately apparent. The songs are much more rough around the edges, and their attempts at harmonies are rather ramshackle (and kind of funny!). One thing they had in contrast with the Beatles is they hadn't quite figured out the whole songwriting thing yet. All of these songs are either covers or instrumentals, with only 'Tell Me' written by the group. It's kind of weird that a band so blatantly steeped in the blues would write such an obvious pop song, but I suppose you've got to sell records somehow.

The rest of these songs are a mixed bag of blues and early rock covers, and for the most part they are pretty rockin'. 'I'm A King Bee' has got quite a bit of swagger for a bunch of white boys, not to mention a nifty bassline. In fact, Bill Wyman's bass playing on this album is by far the most interesting bass I've heard outside of Motown for the early '60s. Considering how on most early Beatles records you can't even hear the bass made this a rather nice change.

Also, the stinging slide guitar solo while Mick Jagger desperately tries to sound black is awesome. Kudos to Brian Jones, you insane, dead bastard, you.

On the faster-paced songs, the band blows the Beatles away with their fury and speed. While the fab four would have made very catchy versions of songs like 'Carol' and 'Not Fade Away', the Stones turn them into loud raucous celebrations. Even the blues classic 'I Just Want To Make Love To You' is given a furious rock makeover, complete with howling harmonica and a break that sounds like the band are about ready to explode. Exciting stuff!

It's not all fun and games, though. The Rolling Stones stick a couple of soul covers on the album ('Can I Get A Witness' and 'You Can Make It If You Try') and frankly neither of them sound very good. The band sounds a bit forced, especially Mick Jagger, who just wasn't a good enough singer yet to try to tackle Marvin Gaye.

Although there's definitely a fair share of filler, this album is a pretty solid debut, especially for 1964. Instrumentally they are already very good, but it's not until the songwriting began in earnest before they could really stake a claim for the greatest rock band of all time, or whatever it is they call themselves. 8/10