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Blue and Lonesome Image
Metascore
82

Universal acclaim - based on 21 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
7.4

Generally favorable reviews- based on 66 Ratings

  • Summary: Recorded over three days, the latest full-length release of blues covers for the rock band features Eric Clapton on guitar on two tracks.
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  • Record Label: Interscope
  • Genre(s): Pop/Rock, Contemporary Pop/Rock, Blues-Rock, Rock & Roll, Regional Blues, British Blues
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Top Track

Ride 'Em on Down
Yeah! I'm a dealin' man, still dealing, yeah I'll go keep on dealing till I find myself a bed I got to stop dealing, I believe I'll ride 'em on... See the rest of the song lyrics
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 18 out of 21
  2. Negative: 0 out of 21
  1. Dec 2, 2016
    100
    Blue & Lonesome is as defiant a statement in its own way as any earlier landmark. Stones co-founder Ian Stewart should be beaming wherever he is, as his boys finally realise the potential he spotted at those first rehearsals 54 years ago.
  2. Dec 2, 2016
    90
    Made on impulse, as a much-needed break during other studio work, Blue and Lonesome is a monument to muscle memory. Solos are brief and tight, evoking the honed-punch effect of the original recordings.
  3. Dec 2, 2016
    90
    It's artistically satisfying because it's the Rolling Stones allowing themselves to simply lay back and play for sheer enjoyment. It's a rare thing that will likely seem all the more valuable over the years.
  4. Nov 28, 2016
    80
    An unqualified yes: it’s more than OK, which is not something you can say about many Stones albums over the last 30 years.
  5. By going back to the music that producer Don Was calls the “fountainhead of everything they do”, however, they sound younger than they have in decades. Blue & Lonesome is proof that old dogs don’t always have need of new tricks.
  6. 80
    What impresses most about Blue & Lonesome is Mick Jagger, who really animates these songs.
  7. 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.

See all 21 Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 10
  2. Negative: 1 out of 10
  1. 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 nightmareJust 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 ! Expand
  2. 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 andThe 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. Expand
  3. 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 weakAah, 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. Collapse
  4. 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'estC'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
  5. 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 IIt'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. Expand
  6. 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 bitI 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
  7. 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.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
    Expand

See all 10 User Reviews