Blue and Lonesome
by The Rolling Stones
User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 66 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 51 out of 66
  2. Mixed: 6 out of 66
  3. Negative: 9 out of 66
Buy Now
Buy on

Review this album

  1. Your Score
    0 out of 10
    Rate this:
    • 10
    • 9
    • 8
    • 7
    • 6
    • 5
    • 4
    • 3
    • 2
    • 1
    • 0
    • 0
  1. Submit
  2. Check Spelling
view
per page
  1. YT_Guyyy
    Dec 8, 2016
    5
    I don't see it. I don't see what's good about this. I'm generally into bluesy stuff, but this I just don't like. The mixing seems to be a bit off, and the songs don't sound like the Rolling Stones at all. I generally preach the message of "Innovate on every album", but this just sounds like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones having a fight to the death in an Irish pub. And that does notI don't see it. I don't see what's good about this. I'm generally into bluesy stuff, but this I just don't like. The mixing seems to be a bit off, and the songs don't sound like the Rolling Stones at all. I generally preach the message of "Innovate on every album", but this just sounds like Bob Dylan and the Rolling Stones having a fight to the death in an Irish pub. And that does not sound good at all. Never thought I'd be one of those people who say: "Screw the critics!", but, well.

    It's still not all that horrible as an album, but expectations can ruin something. Just like Star Wars episodes 1-3.    … Expand
  2. jasharkowalski
    Dec 8, 2016
    10
    Just for "I Gotta Go" i give it 10 out of 10 ! That's what rock and roll should be, loud, quick and bluesy piece of parents' worst nightmare that no Rihana - Justin - Guetta - anyone from major **** lists would ever sound like !
  3. BillyB95
    Dec 3, 2016
    8
    Their Satanic Majesties have been able to capture that blues freshness to create "Blue & Lonesome". Yesterday, when I first heard it, reminded me of Muddy Water's "Hard Again" (1977). So, we can say that the Stones had really put their soul and joy when they covered "Just your fool", "Hate to see you go" and Memphis Slim's eponymous song from the album. Moreover, Eric Clapton and hisTheir Satanic Majesties have been able to capture that blues freshness to create "Blue & Lonesome". Yesterday, when I first heard it, reminded me of Muddy Water's "Hard Again" (1977). So, we can say that the Stones had really put their soul and joy when they covered "Just your fool", "Hate to see you go" and Memphis Slim's eponymous song from the album. Moreover, Eric Clapton and his slowhand joined the show performing "Everybody knows about my good thing" and "I can't quit you, baby". Anyway, I must admit it's a pity that they have not recorded any own song. Despite this, I consider "Blue & Lonesome" as a perfect farewell (if this is really their final album) of a legendary band who have been living in this world for more than fifty years.… Expand
  4. ptea
    Dec 2, 2016
    10
    Aah, you can feel life from this sound. Like sixties-sound, so refreshing because everything is so overproduced nowadays. Makes my kneels weak and head shake.
  5. jimmypowder
    Dec 21, 2016
    3
    I love the blues and the Rolling Stones but this album seems like they are just going through the motions with little passion or thought.
    Boring to a fault
  6. thebrat64
    Dec 5, 2016
    7
    C'est un amour indiscible pour le blues et le rock'n'roll qui unifia les destinées de Mick Jagger et Keith Richards il y a 55 ans. Et c'est cette même passion qui les nourrit encore, 25 albums plus tard. Reste qu'après avoir joué beaucoup de rock'n'roll, les Stones avaient envie de se faire un cadeau, d'où ce retour au blues roots, à la source même. Blue & Lonesome est un hommage à tousC'est un amour indiscible pour le blues et le rock'n'roll qui unifia les destinées de Mick Jagger et Keith Richards il y a 55 ans. Et c'est cette même passion qui les nourrit encore, 25 albums plus tard. Reste qu'après avoir joué beaucoup de rock'n'roll, les Stones avaient envie de se faire un cadeau, d'où ce retour au blues roots, à la source même. Blue & Lonesome est un hommage à tous ces vénérables bluesmen qui ont influencé le groupe, à tous ces standards que les jeunes Stones répétaient dans de **** locaux froids et humides et jouaient sur scène pour quelques bières à leurs débuts en 1962. Un premier album uniquement de blues, un premier album uniquement composé de reprises, où Keith ne chante pas et Mick ne joue pas de guitare. Chacun se concentre sur ce qu'il sait faire de mieux, et Mick se gâte à l'harmonica. Et qui dit blues dit aussi Eric Clapton qu'on retrouve sur deux des douze titres de l'albums. Produit par Don Was, la bande a mis tout ça en boîte en quelques jours, comme à l'époque, où tout le monde joue ensemble, pour se faire plaisir. Et ça s'entend, ça se sent ce genre de truc, quand les musiciens ont du fun, qu'ils n'ont rien à prouver. Le feeling passe. Willie Dixon, Little Walter, Memphis Slim, Howlin' Wolf et plusieurs autres sont salués ici avec un grand respect mais simplement et sans prétention par un groupe qui leur doit tout ou presque.… Expand
  7. molecular
    Dec 20, 2016
    10
    The Stones defy the laws of physics with this album. It's criminal how good Mick sounds. Keith, Charlie, and Ronny play with the verve and skill of men a quarter their age. Fantastic, raw production really brings the performances to life.
  8. Deathnoteados
    Dec 18, 2016
    7
    It's okay overall, but not great. Far from Rolling Stones old work, it seems a bit too slow for my own good , it ain't a bad record tho but I don't see myself hearing it again.
  9. Cyberwolf_Aussi
    Dec 17, 2016
    10
    This album demonstrates that despite the years, The Rolling Stones are playing as well as they ever have with Mick's voice standing the rigours of time and sounding brilliant. In some instances, we the audience are hearing some of their best work.
  10. Flowedandelion1
    Jun 2, 2018
    4
    I expected solid if predictable, but this trip back to the Stones' blues-home is remarkably free of true inspiration. Yes, they can play well. Yes, Don was knows how to produce. But hearing Mick sing the blues at this point is akin to hearing a billionaire wax poetic about the joys of the simple life. When was the last time Mick Jagger suffered, had his heart truly broken, yearned for anI expected solid if predictable, but this trip back to the Stones' blues-home is remarkably free of true inspiration. Yes, they can play well. Yes, Don was knows how to produce. But hearing Mick sing the blues at this point is akin to hearing a billionaire wax poetic about the joys of the simple life. When was the last time Mick Jagger suffered, had his heart truly broken, yearned for an honorable place in the eyes of society, cried out to the world to recognise his manhood and his dignity... maybe 50 years ago? Or never? His harp is solid. The band knows the blues form by heart.... but the actual heart? Missing. After a while, it's like blues wallpaper. The wide-ranging individual writers and singers given tribute here are varied, but the approach of each song does not change. The album gives new meaning to the term meh.… Expand

Awards & Rankings

78
#78 Best Album of 2016
85
#85 Most Discussed Album of 2016
83
#83 Most Shared Album of 2016

Critic Reviews

All reviews »
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 21
  3. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Q Magazine
    Dec 13, 2016
    80
    All thoughts of age, celebrity and stadium itineraries melt away as the Stones work their peculiar alchemy with vigour, mastery and jeu d'espit. [Feb 2017, p.114]
  2. PopMatters
    Dec 13, 2016
    80
    The album might be a one-off or a warm-up for a (hopefully) strong album of new material. Regardless, it’s a peak moment in the storied career of rock’s most enduring band.
    Read full review
  3. Consequence
    Dec 13, 2016
    58
    In the end, the record feels like a copy of a copy, though produced on what may just be the world’s best copier. If nothing else, though, the record works as a pleasing re-centering for one of the greatest rock bands of all time.
    Read full review
See all critic reviews »