Sticky Fingers Review: Swagger, Sleaze and Soul
9/10 — The Rolling Stones - Sticky Fingers (1971)
Pros
- 'Wild Horses' and 'Brown Sugar'
- Mick Taylor's guitar
- Rootsy swagger
Cons
- Troubling lyrics on 'Brown Sugar'
- Sags in the middle
Sticky Fingers was the first Stones album on their own label, with an Andy Warhol sleeve featuring a real zipper. Mick Taylor’s guitar adds a new dimension.
What works
‘Brown Sugar’ and ‘Wild Horses’ are fantastic, ‘Can’t You Hear Me Knocking’ has a thrilling jam, and ‘Sway’ and ‘Dead Flowers’ have a rootsy swagger. The band feel loose and in command.
Where it falters
The lyrics of ‘Brown Sugar’ have aged poorly, and the album sags in the middle.
Verdict
A grimy, great-sounding record.
