By Josh McCann

Sometimes an album announcement has me counting down the days until it’s released. This was the case for ‘Hackney Diamonds,’ the new album by one of my favorite bands ever, The Rolling Stones! The craziness started last month, when the band released their incredible new single “Angry.” The video features Sydney Sweeney in the back of a car while it drives through LA with the Stones in different eras on each billboard. Now that’s euphoria. Yeah, I haven’t been the same since.

The album is getting rave reviews. I was still skeptical and hoped it would be good. Stacks of CDs (yes, I still buys CDs!) surrounded my stereo. From “Exile on Main Street” (my favorite Stones record) to “A Bigger Bang” (their most recent original album in 2005). I placed the cd in the tray. Scattered leaves blew on my street—the trees were bright red, the sky lined with streaks of orange. It was time to wake up the neighbors! Could the Stones write an album with more than just a few good songs? SMH. Don’t ever doubt the Stones!

I became a huge fan during the mid-90’s “Bridges to Babylon” era. I went through their discography, buying their albums at National Record Mart faster than Mick running around on stage. The Stones were in their 50’s at the time, playing stadiums, and becoming more popular than ever.

I sat back and pressed play. Some 48 minutes later, I was in awe. The sunlight poured through my blinds, and I thought about how they had pulled it off. They had made their best album since “Tattoo You.” A huge achievement for a band that’s been doing it since 1962.

But let’s get to the record. The album blasts off with the lead single “Angry.” The song has signature Stones all through it: a slicing guitar riff, pissed-off lyrics, with everyone shouting “Don’t get angry with me.” It’s good to have them back. The tongue sticks out like never before. Pure Rolling Stones swagger. “I’m still taking the pills, and I’m off to Brazil” Jagger sings. What’s funny about that line is that you can picture Jagger saying that in a real life conversation!

One of the many standouts is “Close to you,” where Jagger howls to the rhythm of Keith Richard’s and Ronnie Wood’s guitars. Drummer Steve Jordan keeps it going. Nobody can fill the shoes of Charlie Watts. (Charlie’s drums are on “Mess it Up” and “Live by the Sword”) But Steve does a great job taking the impossible task. You can tell that he’ll do quite well behind the kit. The breakdown with the sax is spectacular! It builds up. “Talk to me, pour your secrets out,” Jagger sings. By the end it’s rocking loud—this has to be played live!

“Depending on you” gives me chills in the beginning, the acoustic guitars set to lyrics, “She lit a smoke on the steps of a bar,” leading to a big anthem chorus. When it kicks in, you know it’s going to be a great Stones song. “She’s giving love to somebody new, I invented the game but lost like a fool.” Always interesting to see a vulnerable side to Mick’s lyrics.

They let it rip with “Bite my head off.” Paul McCartney plays bass on this one. They can still go into another gear if they want to. The drums sound great. Mick gives cues like it’s a live show. You can tell they are having fun. “You think I’m your bitch, I’m fucking with your brain,” Mick scowls. And it feels so good to hear.

“Whole Wide World” has a hopeful message. The party has only just begun. “Dreamy Skies” slows it down a bit, with acoustic guitars and piano, reminiscent of the country honky tonk of “Let it Bleed.” It’s a break from those Saturday nights, harmonica and all.

Another key track is “Mess it up.” This has “Some Girls” vibes, with a dance beat and guitar solo that will have the party going all night. So freaking good! “Live by the sword” has urgency in the vocals, a very cool guitar riff. Elton John plays piano on this track!

There isn’t any filler. Each song is strong. No skips here! Keith keeps up the tradition and takes the vocals for “Tell me Straight.” And the intro to “Driving me too hard” made me get out of my seat! The groove is meant for the bar dance floor, the rhythm on full display—Keith is the best ever at keeping the rhythm and feel of a song. Then there’s “Sweet Sounds of Heaven”—an instant classic. Complete with Lady Gaga giving her most powerful vocals yet. The video of them performing it is below!

It ends with “Rolling Stone Blues.” A stripped down tune with harmonica—singing about being “born a rolling stone.” It’s a symbolic way to end it. Out of all their accomplishments, it still felt like they had something to prove with this record. They showed how they can still make an amazing rock album.

As the cd ended, I walked over to my beer mug, which is stuffed with concert tickets, reminding me of past shows. I grabbed the ticket for “The Rolling Stones at Heinz Field” in 2021. I’m grateful to have seen the Stones four times. It’s always a gas, gas, gas. All those memories. This new album will provide the soundtrack to so many more moments. I can’t help but be grateful that they are still doing it. And hey, maybe another ticket of theirs will be added in the mug. Let’s hope they play some of these at a stadium again soon.