Today we have the Rolling Stones' thirteenth studio album Goats Head Soup. Released in 1973, the album marks a musical departure as the band experimented with funk rock. It was their last album to be produced by Jimmy Miller, who had been with them since Beggars Banquet.
I'm sure the funk-tinged rock of this album can be attributed to Jagger, who claimed that he wished to experiment after the straightforward rock & roll of Exile on Main St. I appreciate the different direction and it mostly works fine, although the smooth production on the guitar reminds of that on Sticky Fingers, which I still believe dampens the excellent guitar work of Richards and Taylor. Other than "Angie," "Winter," and "100 Years Ago," the songwriting is just a little underwhelming and there are two writing failures at the end of the album, "Can You Hear the Music" and "Star Star," the latter almost working because the lyrics are amusing after a while. So sure, the album is somewhat disappointing, but the four consecutive album-run of Beggars to Exile is on a sacred plane where their only company is Rubber Soul to The Beatles and this is still highly recommended for Stones fans--just not strong enough for any one else to go out of their way for. B [Later: B+]
