Rolling Stones Music:

Editorial Review:
12 tracks:
1. Sad Sad Sad
2. Mixed Emotions
3. Terrifying
4. Hold On To Your Hat
5. Hearts For Sale
6. Blinded By Love
7. Rock And A Hard Place
8. Can't Be Seen
9. Almost Hear You Sigh
10. Continental Drift
11. Break The Spell
12. Slipping Away

Steel Wheels Reviews:
Just a tad noisy
2009-12-09 - I know it is not polite to review music types you do not like. However I did not know I did not like this until I listened. It is not the genre it is this album that is off. It is very noisy and with out substance. It must have been designed for a particular 80's environment the once removed has no connection with anything of value. Sorry but it sounds like someone practicing in the garage and not sure where they are going.



problematic, yes, but very well-produced, with piles of catchy songs
2006-07-01 - 1989's "Steel Wheels" is a damn good Stones record. It blows my mind how harsh some of the fans are on it.

Yes, there are numerous problems. Jagger's vocals often sound forced and mumbled, like he's trying to sing and gargle at the same time--a rather unpleasant effect. Some of the songs are excessively dragged out, giving them an annoying 'broken record' feel, such as the Eastern-styled "Continental Drift", which also has an annoying false-ending: and "Terrifying", with its song-ending coda based on that 'one and a half' chord lick. Another problem is the distractingly weak lyrics that crop up on many of the songs.

But, the album is really well-produced--that glorious Keith Richards rhythm guitar tone is here in all its glory, and Charlie's drum sound is wonderfully punchy without being grating. For those who complain about the album sounding too 'modernized' and/ or having too many synthesizers, I'm baffled--what the heck album are you even listening to? Apart from some minor touches, "Steel Wheels" sounds like it could have been recorded in 1978.

The songwriting is at a pretty damn high level as well. "Sad Sad Sad" and "Mixed Emotions" are infectiously catchy, upbeat, Stones-style rockers (the former features a hilariously aimless guitar solo, presumably from Richards). The swinging "Hearts For Sale" will also have you grooving in no time. The lustful "Terrifying", although highly repetitive, has a catchy melody and an engagingly ominous atmosphere. "Rock And A Hard Place" is brought down a tad by an underwritten bridge, but the verses and chorus are awesomely riffy. The funky, soul-inflected Keith Richards' spotlight "Can't Be Seen" is a blast--Keith's vocals on it are surprisingly forceful and powerful, and just try and resist the insane catchiness of when he sings "it's too dangerous, baybay". "Almost Hear You Sigh" is a surprisingly good ballad, with marvelously effective background vocals. The somewhat "Paint It, Black"-ish "Continental Drift", apart from its annoying repetition, is a welcome diversion. And the obligatory 'Keith Richards ballad' "Slipping Away, is a nice, earnest way to end the album.

Okay, so maybe the Glimmer Twins weren't trying anything new at all on "Steel Wheels", but what the hell, this is a very fine rock & roll set, and it's hard to imagine any rock & roll fan disliking it.