A Comparative Analysis: The Stones’ 1980s Albums vs. Their Classics of the 1970s

In general, and in an attempt to keep it concise, the Stones' albums from the 1980s do not fare well when compared to their classics from the 1970s. The only notable exception is Tattoo You, but even that, with much of it recorded in the 1970s, falls somewhat short in comparison to the material of the classic era.

Different Sides of the Same Coin

The Stones' output in the 1970s is varied and varied well. The earlier part of the decade saw the band still functioning as a cohesive unit, creating many of the songs together. In the latter half of the 1970s, however, the process became more assembly line-like, with tracks written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards, along with other contributions and a BOOM, an album. Despite this, there was still plenty of great material drawn from a cumulative backlog of songs that filled their records right through to Tattoo You in 1981.

However, after that album, the contributions became more disjointed and included some covers, leading to an overall decrease in quality. The band had indeed passed its prime by the 1980s, and appreciation for the albums from this era is substantially lower than for their 1970s classics.

My Personal Perspective

I personally do not hold the 1980s albums in high regard. Albums such as Sticky Fingers and Exile on Main St. stand as absolute classics. In the 1980s, the Stones were past their prime, and the quality of their material took a noticeable dip. Tattoo You is a decent album, but apart from that, my preference leans back towards the Stones' recordings from the 1960s and 1970s.

A Comparison of Standouts

While it's easy to dismiss the 1980s albums as inferior to the classics, it's important to pick out some standout tracks from the later era that still capture the essence and energy of the Stones. For instance, The Real Me from Tattoo You remains a poignant and powerful song. Another highlight is Angie from Some Girls, which still resonates with its mix of melodic and gritty rock. However, in terms of overall album quality, the 1980s recordings do not quite match up to the brilliance exhibited in the late 1960s and early 1970s.

Conclusion

In conclusion, while the Stones were still producing music in the 1980s, the quality fell short of the classics of the 1970s. The albums from this period lack the cohesiveness and innovation that defined the band's earlier work, and while some individual tracks may stand out, the overall body of work is not as strong. For music enthusiasts, sticking to the Stones' 1960s and 1970s albums remains the best choice for enjoying the band's finest moments.