Rolling Stones reissue reminds us that Sticky Fingers is better than Exile on Main Street

There are tracks on both Let it Bleed and Exile on Main Street that frankly bore my tits off*, but I cannot say the same thing about Sticky Fingers. (Cue the yelling.)

The third release in what’s generally considered to be the Rolling Stones’ four album peak, Sticky Fingers (1971) was actually a haphazardly recorded affair that caught the band in transition.

But haphazard has always been good for the Stones. Between piecemeal sessions that started at Muscle Shoals in Alabama and ended in a mobile studio outside Mick’s house, the Stones managed to haphazardly split the atom. 

That’s what you’re hearing in the gleeful, barrelhouse provocation of "Brown Sugar" and the unfussy grooves of “Can’t You Hear Me Knocking?”, “Sway” and “Bitch”. And who would argue that “Sister Morphine”, “Wild Horses” and “Moonlight Mile” are anything but the most deeply felt downers in the band’s entire career?

On Sticky Fingers, the Stones don't even sound English anymore. They don't sound like anything anymore. The formula was perfected on Exile, but Sticky Fingers has the buzz of fresh creation and accidental genius all over it. This is a band that could have honourably peaked three years earlier with "Jumpin' Jack Flash" and then called it a day. Miraculously, the best was yet to come.

Anyway, it’s deluxe reissue time for the album that, more than any other, made you think about Mick Jagger’s cock.

According to the urgent missive we received this morning from Universal, there are more format options and extra-goodies than any of us really need (they even dusted off Nick Kent for a new essay), but decadence is as decadence does, as any good multinational corporation will tell you.

Details about the May 26 release below:

STICKY FINGERS FORMATS:

Original CD
Remastered album with 12-page booklet.

Original LP
Remastered album on black heavyweight vinyl plus 12x12 insert.

Deluxe 2CD
Remastered album plus bonus CD featuring previously unreleased alternate takes and live performances with 24 page booklet.

Deluxe Edition Boxset
Remastered album, bonus CD featuring previously unreleased alternate takes and live performances plus DVD with 2 tracks from Live at the Marquee. All housed in a presentation box with 72 page hardback picture book and 4 postcard set.

Super Deluxe Edition Boxset
Remastered album and bonus CD featuring previously unreleased alternate takes and live performances. Plus Get Yer Leeds Lungs Out CD, a DVD featuring 2 tracks from Live at the Marquee and 7” vinyl with "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses". All housed in a presentation box with hardback book complete with real zip. Plus print, poster, 4 postcard set and mini replica of band cut out.

The carefully put together 120 page limited edition book recounts the making of this classic Stones album with an extensive essay by Nick Kent, embellished with previously unpublished images of the band and lavishly illustrated with metallic gold ink throughout.

Deluxe Double LP Set
Remastered album and bonus tracks featuring previously unreleased alternate takes and live performances on two black heavyweight vinyls’. Housed in an outer wallet with real zip.

Deluxe Double LP Set—Limited Edition Spanish Cover (available via The Rolling Stones Store only)
Remastered album and bonus tracks featuring previously unreleased alternate takes and live performances on two black heavyweight vinyls. Housed in an outer wallet with Spanish cover.

Standard Download
Remastered album.

Deluxe Download
Remastered album plus bonus tracks featuring previously unreleased alternate takes and live performances. Fans who pre-order on iTunes will receive an instant download of previously unreleased track "Wild Horses Acoustic".

Super Deluxe Download
Remastered album, bonus tracks featuring previously unreleased alternate takes and live performances, plus Get Yer Leeds Lungs Out live tracks. Fans who pre-order on iTunes will receive an instant download of previously unreleased track "Wild Horses Acoustic".

* not really