“Oh but Rob,” you probably think. “You wrote so lucidly about The Rolling Stones’ first several albums, are you ever going to drop some insight on the rest of their career?” Don’t worry dear Reader – I’ve got you covered. Ohhh yes! Another Rolling Stones article! In honor of their newest record – the band’s 24th studio album – it only makes sense to look at their remaining studio output, and rank their albums from 1967 onward. That year marks the first time that they released an LP with the same unedited tracklist on both sides of the Atlantic, which makes it much easier to look at the album as a single body of work. 

The Rolling Stones have had a long and winding career, full of ups and downs in both personal life and public favor. The remarkable thing about the band is that no matter the time period, and no matter how they negotiate with contemporary trends in mainstream music, they always end up sounding like themselves, and always seem to have a broad appeal. Of course, over time they’ve put out a few duds, if just because of the law of averages. Even on their worst efforts, there are songs and grooves that add a welcome wrinkle to the broader picture. The Stones are a very tight and capable band, and when you dig into their back catalog it’s surprising to be reminded of how diverse and responsive their sound can be. Even the fact that they included a couple covers on every release is a benefit, not a weakness. They’re a band that spotlight their influences in a way that brings them to the attention of an otherwise ignorant audience. Some say the band was never the same after they expanded beyond the rough garage-blues of the Sixties, or after their fey psychedelic period, or after Brian Jones died. Yet there’s still a common thread that runs through the decades: at the end of the day, outside of influence and changing taste, the Stones remain a band that has a deep understanding and feel for the base foundations of rock, and always do it right. That’s why they remain popular – because if someone likes rock music, they probably like the Rolling Stones.