The Rolling Stones | Some Girls | Retro Album Review

Rolling Stones Records

Rating: 5 out of 5 stars

The Rolling Stones’ 1978 album, Some Girls, is a decade-defining masterpiece. After a slump from the iconic band, fronted by Mick Jagger, they hit their second wind with Some Girls, effectively cementing themselves as one of the most prolific bands of the 20th century.

Coming down from the full-on punk scene, The Rolling Stones begin an evolution into the deeper, grittier sound that will influence the emo rock of the 80s, only two years away from the time of the album’s release. Some Girls encapsulates the energy and culture that was so prevalent at the time of its release and preserves it.

The mix of softcore punk, Beach Boys-esque riffs, and the psychedelic guitar signature to 70’s rock, the album becomes a genre all its own. It’s Sunday mornings making pancakes in the kitchen, it’s riding in a pickup truck on a dirt road with the windows down, it’s dad mowing the grass and mom making lemonade, and it’s a sneaky cigarette at the local 7/11.

The greatest song on the album by far is “Beast of Burden,” a laid back and upbeat track that takes inspiration from the 60’s-era folk rock genre. It’s almost lazy with its tempo and drawling vocals from Jagger, the polar opposite to nearly the whole rest of the Stones’ discography.

If any song on the album is worth listening to, it’s “Beast of Burden.” It’s an abrupt departure from the frantically fast and showy songs, such as “Lies” and “When the Whip Comes Down,” but it’s not an unwelcome one.

Other highlights include an insanely fantastic guitar solo on “Respectable,” the ever-popular “Miss You,” and the titular song, “Some Girls.”

The Rolling Stones have been a household name for years, and Some Girls is the perfect opportunity for today’s youth to understand just why in fact that is.