A Bigger Bang
by The Rolling Stones
  • Record Label: Virgin
  • Release Date: Sep 6, 2005
Metascore
73

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. AllMusic
    80
    A strong, engaging, cohesive Rolling Stones album that finds everybody in prime form.
  2. Amazon.com
    70
    Some of their best work in nearly two decades.
  3. Blender
    80
    Without playing "best since" games, just say it ranks near the top of the eight [albums] they've manufactured since 1980. [Oct 2005, p.142]
    All this publication's reviews
  5. cokemachineglow
    74
    Here, they succeed just by doing what they do best, taking few chances, but sounding more comfortable in their own skin than they have in a very long time.
  6. Dot Music
    80
    The Stones in 2005 sound fresh and re-invigorated.
  7. Entertainment Weekly
    67
    Instead of playing it slick, they've made their dirtiest, most homemade-sounding album since Some Girls.
  8. Mojo
    70
    Though not without the odd turkey, it is arguably their most satisfying work since 1978's Some Girls. [Oct 2005, p.100]
    All this publication's reviews
  9. musicOMH.com
    80
    Though [A Bigger Bang] doesn't dare to place itself in the same hallowed halls as that Jimmy Miller-produced quartet of records between 1968 and 1972, it jostles justly and fairly with the best since.
  10. Rolling Stone
    90
    A Bigger Bang is just a straight-up, damn fine Rolling Stones album, with no qualifiers or apologies necessary for the first time in a few decades.
  11. Stylus Magazine
    75
    In its no-frills pleasures, A Bigger Bang recalls Some Girls and Emotional Rescue, two great meaningless albums.
  12. The A.V. Club
    70
    It's the best effort The Rolling Stones have produced in quite a while.
  13. The New York Times
    70
    On "A Bigger Bang," the Stones actually sound like they're having fun together, live in a studio somewhere. [4 Sep 2005]
    All this publication's reviews
  14. Uncut
    100
    There are some outstanding songs here, and Jagger turns in a series of performances that are their match, full of much defiant flouncing, strutting bitchiness, preening arrogance, snarling haughtiness and a typically provocative misogyny. [Album of the Month, Oct 2005, p.92]
    All this publication's reviews
  15. Village Voice (Consumer Guide)
    91
    Despite its lack of an anthem to replace "Start Me Up," it certainly beats Tattoo You or anything else going back to Exile except Some Girls.

Awards & Rankings

64
#64 Most Discussed Album of 2005
24
#24 Most Shared Album of 2005

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 76 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 56 out of 76
  2. Mixed: 11 out of 76
  3. Negative: 9 out of 76
  1. StéphanieV
    Apr 11, 2007
    10
    Great album! Definately 1000% STONES, blows your mind! They've done it again the Rolling Stones made a abso-fucking-lutely magnificent Great album! Definately 1000% STONES, blows your mind! They've done it again the Rolling Stones made a abso-fucking-lutely magnificent album once more ! The lyrics sound great - good old Jagger/Richards teamwork :) - and the RIFFS & MUSIC what can I say bold as ever. Every single 21th century band can wrap up, go home and change their nappies 'cos the Rolling Stones are in town again; LEAN & Mean as ever...… Full Review »
  2. jrocker
    Aug 2, 2013
    4
    I dont like this album.I think this is the worst album that rolling stones have ever produced.But a few songs are really good like roughI dont like this album.I think this is the worst album that rolling stones have ever produced.But a few songs are really good like rough justice and for their age the album is good.So it seems to me this is a bad album but a really good effort for their age… Full Review »
  3. JackFlash16
    Mar 9, 2012
    8
    A solid later days Stones album and sure it's no Exile On Main St. or Sticky Fingers but it doesn't need to be. It is a compilation of greatA solid later days Stones album and sure it's no Exile On Main St. or Sticky Fingers but it doesn't need to be. It is a compilation of great songs that make the Stones sound more like themselves than they have since Tattoo You. "Rough Justice" is a great rock track and it probably the best song they've done in twenty years. "Let Me Down Slow" is a great up-tempo ballad and "Rain Fall Down" is a catchy "Miss You" esque dance tune. "Back Of My Hand" is pure blues and it's great to hear the boys going back to their roots with this one. "Oh, No Not You Again" and "Driving Too Fast" round out the great songs on the albums.… Full Review »
See all user reviews »