Aftermath

 

 

 

Like the Beatles 'Rubber Soul' album, 'Aftermath' was a major step forward in terms of a more mature and worldly wise sound for the Rolling Stones in 1966.

Hot on the heels of the previous (US only) release 'Decembers Children' in late 1965, this album showcased another Beatles parallel. As messrs Lennon & McCartney had done on 'A Hard Days Night', this new Stones album was chock full of material written only by that of its chief protoganists, Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

Tracks such as 'Lady Jane' and 'I Am Waiting' highlight a wistful depth and deeper emotion which was perhaps considered unusual for a normally straight Rhythm & Blues outfit. Even tracks such as 'Mothers Little Helper' tell the story of mothers who have become dependent on 'Diazepam' - the prescription drug obtained from any local doctor which suddenly became all the rage at the time.

In what was slowly becoming a Jagger trademark, the songs 'Under My Thumb', 'Stupid Girl' and 'Out Of Time' clearly underscore a scorn for women in general at this time. It may well have been the period where Mick was falling out of love with his long-time girlfriend, model Chrissie Shrimpton.

The US version of this album omitted four tracks from the UK release. These were 'Mothers Little Helper', 'Out Of Time', 'What To Do' and 'Take It Or Leave It'. The single 'Paint It Black' was included in the US copy as adding singles to albums was not yet common place in the UK.

But of course, it is must always be what takes place within the confines of a recording studio on which any musician is judged and there is no denying that 'Aftermath' has since became a classic in the annals of music history.

As a footnote, this was the last album the Rolling Stones would wholly record in the U.S. for at least another five years. Their next album would see the group return to London to complete a large majority of what was to become 'Between The Buttons' released early in 1967.

Album: Aftermath

Release Date: April 15th 1966 (U.K.) June 20th 1966 (U.S.)

Songs:

1. Mothers Little Helper
2. Stupid Girl
3. Lady Jane
4. Under My Thumb
5. Doncha Bother Me
6. Goin Home
7. Flight 505
8. High And Dry
9. Out Of Time
10. It's Not Easy
11. I Am Waiting
12. Take It Or Leave It
13. Think
14. What To Do