Live Licks

Reviewed by:
David Peisner

The Rolling Stones are a walking, talking argument in favor of premature rock star death. If only the whole lot of them had passed out on their backs around 1978 or so, the world would’ve been spared the depressing spectacle of watching the most rock'n'roll band in the world become a brand-conscious marketing machine disguised as a competent cover band. Following 2002’s wholly unnecessary two-CD greatest-hits collection and the more unnecessary tour that supported it, we are presented with yet another two-CD package, this one culled from that tour. The first CD churns out the hits in disturbingly professional fashion, with the wild cheers of the audience turned up extra loud to cover for a frequently out-of-breath Mick Jagger. Disc 2 digs out more obscure tunes and some reasonably entertaining covers, which appears to be the band’s low-effort alternative to actually writing new material. The Stones are probably correct in assuming their fans would rather engage in this cynical nostalgia exercise than hear any new songs, but if they’re not even willing to fight the perception that they’re an oldies act, then that's how we should treat them.

Share