One at a Time: "The Rolling Stones Now!" (1965) by The Rolling Stones

#181 "The Rolling Stones Now!" (1965) by The Rolling Stones

In terms of Stones albums, "The Rolling Stones Now!" is fairly mediocre, but we're removing context, so that's sort of irrelevant. Without looking at the rest of the discography of the greatest rock band ever, it's a pretty good album.

It's sort of innocuous in terms of standout tracks, with "Heart of Stone" and "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love," being my favorite of the 12. The album rocks out in a sort of shaggy Rolling Stones way, but am I allowed to hold it against them that this is still an early-career album that features 8 covers?

Either way, they're mostly just solid rock and roll standards that don't exactly rise above solid. Still a solid rock album isn't an easy thing to do. When I ask myself whether I'd rather listen to "Rolling Stones Now!" or "Honky Chateau" or "Burnin'" right this second, my answer isn't "Now!" though, which is about as scientific as these rankings could possibly get.

1. "Tapestry" (1971) by Carole King
2. "Tea for the Tillerman" (1970) by Cat Stevens
3. "Bookends" (1968) by Simon and Garfunkel
4. "The Bends" (1995) by Radiohead
5. "Honky Chateau" (1972) by Elton John 
6. "Burnin'" (1973) by The Wailers 
7. "The Rolling Stones Now!" (1965) by The Rolling Stones
8. "The Slim Shady LP" (1999) by Eminem