The Rolling Stones - Streets Of Love/Rough Justice (Virgin)
UK release date: 22 August 2005
Every few years, rather like Oasis, rumours start to emanate that there's a new Rolling Stones album on the way, and that it's a 'return to form'. And, rather like Oasis, this return to form means a couple of decent singles and a load of plodding filler.
Yet Oasis' last album was actually rather good, so while it's understandable that Streets Of Love is approached with caution, it's surprisingly enjoyable. A lovelorn ballad, designed to get those cigarette lighters alight in the world's stadia this summer, it features Mick Jagger in fine form, the legendary swordsman reflecting on a relationship destroyed by infidelity in a manner that can't help but be moving.
Rough Justice is more like The Stones of old, with Keef cranking up the guitar and launching into a number of classic Stones riffs. The 62 year old Jagger even gets away with the line "once upon a time I was your little rooster, but now am I just one of your cocks", and you can almost see him gyrating up on stage. Surprisingly impressive stuff, which bodes well for the much vaunted album A Bigger Bang, due to be released in September.
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