The obvious short answer here was that psychedelia was a failure, the Stones got back to basics, and as a result, started releasing the best albums of their career. The actual truth was more complicated. First of all, Brian Jones was rapidly losing his faculties and getting edged out of the band. Second, the decision to use Jimmy Miller as producer on this album (as well as the companion single "Jumpin' Jack Flash") was a wise one, because he played a part in bringing the band back into focus from their haze. Finally, it's not like the Stones' psychedelic era was radically different than this "roots" period - but with Jones going nuts and the group in a rudderless state - it was up to Mick and Keith to recommit themselves and lead the group back out of the wilderness…and that they did, and then some. Beggars Banquet is simply a fantastic, close-to-perfect record, combining rock, blues, country, some political intrigue, and even a strong whiff of the psychedelia that critics claim the album stomps all over. "Sympathy for the Devil" - by itself - is on my shortlist of greatest songs ever composed and performed. I would rate it 15 out of 5 if I could, but I am limited by the format. Another striking characteristic is the rural flavor of the album as a whole. Tracks like "Dear Doctor", "Factory Girl", and "Salt of the Earth" come off either as parodies and/or tributes to the hard-scrabble countryside lifestyle. Still, they comment on urban matters as well. "Jigsaw Puzzle" is just as far-out as anything from Satanic Majesties Request (just what in the hell is a "mentholated sandwich"), while "Stray Cat Blues" and "Parachute Woman" rank among their most brutal tracks.