“Hackney Diamonds” by the Rolling Stones
I know it’s only rock and roll. But I like it! The Music: If you’ve been following reviews of Hackney Diamonds , the new album of original music by the Rolling Stones, you have probably read a lot of “it’s not, but” statements. Reviews are packed with caveats like “it’s not Beggars Banquet , but I enjoyed it.” Or “It’s not Let it Bleed , but still quite good.” Or “It’s not Sticky Fingers , Exile , Tattoo You , Some Girls , Aftermath , December’s Children , or even that weird European fan club compilation where Mick Jagger’s eyes are inexplicably closed on the cover; but it’s a fun listen nonetheless.” You get the idea. My take is slightly different. Hackney Diamonds is an excellent album precisely because it’s not trying to be one those classic albums but still sounds unmistakably like the Rolling Stones. I’ll admit it took me a bit to get there. Like most, I love the Ston...