I have always liked the Rolling Stones more than the Beatles because the Stones’ sound is a lot edgier and has more attitude than 12-bar blues. It’s ironic when you consider the Beatles wrote a track for them that set them on their way. Anyway, this particular record has never been loved by the critics, so being typical rebels, what do they do? They reissue it for the Compact Disc, Digital Versatile Disc, and Download age. 

Of course, from 1968 to 1972, the band were flying in terms of their success, which many have said they haven’t reached since, but they sell out on pretty much every tour and are still one of the most-watched bands live, so think on this “lack” of success what you will. All-in-all, they have released 26 studio albums spanning from 1964 to now.

Of course, “Goats Head Soup” was originally the 13th album released in 1973, and many critics said the record, which was a two-sided ten-track vinyl (five both sides.), lacked that edge the band was renowned for at the time. On another note, the album was named after a Jamaican aphrodisiac.

Of course, the biggest hit they garnered from it was “Angie”, which sounds just as good now it has been remastered, but if I’m being honest, the first disc didn’t capture my imagination because I heard it before in its original form.

The second disc, though, is where my interest picked up with its unreleased songs that I imagine were from the recording sessions and the featured remixes, especially the one by the War on Drugs. So, being typical Stones, they rereleased this record three years before its 50th anniversary, which most bands and artists would tend not to do, but not the Stones; they have always been rebels and done as they have pleased.

I enjoyed “Scarlet”, with Jimmy Page taking over from Keith Richards on lead guitar, bringing a sense of funk into it, not forgetting the contribution to the War on Drugs remixing it. Then, I was impressed with “All the Rage” and finally, the alternative mix of “Hide Your Love”. However, this reissue seems to be for collectors only, I feel. 

A third disc features the performances from the “Goats Head Soup Tour” at the Forest National Arena, Brussels, Belgium from both of their shows. I wasn’t fussed about listening to that as I have heard the band many times performing live, so I wasn’t expecting anything I hadn’t heard before.

Song recommendations: Disc two only: “Scarlet”, “All the Rage”, “Hide Your Love”

7/10