Sticky Fingers is the proverbial "Other Side of the Mountain", even though a decent-sized chunk of it was recorded in the 60's, rather than the 70's. Still, it is hard not to notice, from the "lips" logo to the presentation and aural content, that this is the Rolling Stones show once and for all, so no more hippie B.S., no more sneaky manager interference, no more stupid swinging London model chicks involved on the scene, and let's get down to brass tax.
So then, why do I feel like these guys are already on the downside, whining and moaning about rock star problems, addictions, and letting it affect them a little bit prematurely? Or, it is a case of the run has been great since '65, and simply now is the time for it to start running dry?
The one track I feel like no one can touch here is "Can't You Hear Me Knocking", where they take all of their energy and wits about them - including their session friends - and throw it wholeheartedly into a two-part masterpiece which I never, ever, get tired of hearing. Plus, there's the added touch of Mick Taylor's insanely, otherworldly, guitar solo, which blends effortlessly with the layers of excitement going on around him - he's the undeniable focal point of the second section, yet he never takes a thing away from the other players involved. Easily my favorite Stones track of all-time.
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