Like
Emotional Rescue before it,
Tattoo You was comprised primarily of leftovers, but unlike its predecessor, it never sounds that way. Instead,
Tattoo You captures
the Stones at their best as a professional stadium-
rock band. Divided into a
rock & roll side and a
ballad side, the album delivers its share of thrills on the tight, dynamic first side.
"Start Me Up" became the record's definitive
Stonesy rocker, but the frenzied
doo wop of
"Hang Fire," the
reggae jam of
"Slave," the sleazy
Chuck Berry rockers
"Little T&A" and
"Neighbours," and the hard
blues of
"Black Limousine" are all terrific. The
ballad side suffers in comparison, especially since
"Heaven" and
"No Use in Crying" are faceless. But
"Worried About You" and
"Tops" are effortless, excellent
ballads, and
"Waiting on a Friend," with its
Sonny Rollins sax solo, is an absolute masterpiece, with a moving lyric that captures
Jagger in a shockingly reflective and affecting state of mind.
"Waiting on a Friend" and the vigorous
rock & roll of the first side make
Tattoo You an essential latter-day
Stones album, ranking just a few notches below
Some Girls. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
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