The Rolling Stones: Ranking The Albums Best To Worst

18. Let It Bleed

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rMIieHMcOH4 Date Of Original Release: 1969 Key Tracks: Let it Bleed, Sympathy For The Devil, No Expectations, Gimme Shelter The Stones respond to the white-hot political tension of the late 60's with their final record that constitutes any kind of coherent political statement. "Street Fighting Man" is Mick basically saying, "I'd like to fight the power with you kids, but I'm just a singer in a rock band...what can I do?" "Let it Bleed", despite it's Beatle-baiting title, is a languid, bluesy stomp with a dirty edge ("You can cream on me" indeed). "Sympathy For The Devil" is still amazingly powerful and culturally resonant even with its constant overuse on television and movies, and "Gimme Shelter" is as good as it gets and a harbinger of the bad vibes to come in the form of Altamont ("Rape, murder...it's just a shot away"). They even touch on soulful balladry ("No Expectations") and country-flavored blues ("Prodigal Son"). The Stones would never again be as culturally relevant than they were in this white-hot minute.

17. Tattoo You

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=70nywFFaouQ Date Of Original Release: 1981 Key Tracks: Waiting on a Friend, Hang Fire, Little T & A All traces of disco are now thankfully gone from this album as the Stones face a brand-new decade. They react by going back to basics again, resulting in a late-period classic. Keith's song "Little T&A" is the sort of sleazy sing-a-long in praise of loose women he excels at. "Waiting on A Friend" is a gentle shuffle with the lads, featuring an accompanying video that mostly features the Stones sitting on a front stoop, looking bored. This was before they really figured out what videos were (see entry 15 for more), but it's not without its sizeable charm. Great iconic sleeve too, featuring the band with extensively tattooed faces.