The opener is one of the great 'track one side ones' of all time, and certainly one of the most intelligent. With clever historical and literary insight alongside a stunning set of percussion, it grabs hold and does not let up. The album closer is also utterly sublime, with a far simpler structure, but an earnest eagerness that would make it a far better national anthem than that with which we are currently saddled. Imagine a sports team belting out "Raise a Glass to the Hardworking People" before a match - that'd get things fired up.
The songs in between these bookends are generally good, and always clever, but don't reach their heights; if they did this would be the greatest album ever to be fair. Dear Doctor is amusing, and Street Fighting Man paints a great picture, but Prodigal Son and Parachute Woman are just bluesy rip-offs that add little value.
To my ears, this is an album of two halves, with one half at the very beginning, and one at the very end. The rest is a pleasant distraction, but not the highlight of the sandwich.
Choe's album rating: 6
Chloe's favourite track: 8. Stray Cat Blues
Olly's album rating: 7
Olly's favourite track: 1. Sympathy for the Devil
Next week is 184. Deep Purple in Rock - Deep Purple,
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