Let It Bleed: Epic Classic or Just Another Good Album?

Awesome. Groovy. Chilling. Gut-wrenching. Spine-tingling. Mesmerizing.... While some may venture to say that no words could describe the genius that was "Let It Bleed", you can take your pick from the preceding superlatives and hopefully that will suffice. The fact is that "Let It Bleed" was awesome, groovy, chilling, gut-wrenching, spine-tingling, mesmerizing, and even to some extent indescribable. So the answer to the above question is that, no, "Let It Bleed" was not any old album... and not even any old good album. It was so much more than that.

Why?... What was it about "Let It Bleed" that made it so valuable musically, culturally, aesthetically, historically?...

It begins and ends with the effect the music had on people. It captivated its listeners, removing them from their own personal realities and placing them into the world of The Rolling Stones - a world which, in many ways, realized the darker aspects of humanity. Yes, it features an almost unprecedented level of creativity, collaboration and musicianship, but "Let It Bleed" transcended musical competence because of its ability to evoke, what many refer to as, the darker sides of their souls. Playing heavily on its blues roots, "Let It Bleed" lends an almost seductive aura to the dark and the twisted aspects of the human race. Prime example?... "Midnight Rambler", one of the darkest yet most bone-chilling and masterful songs on the album.

"Midnight Rambler" is, quite simply, about murder. It features a stunning partnership of Keith Richards on the slide guitar and Mick Jaggers on the harmonica. The lyrics literally describe the 'thrill' of breaking into people's houses and murdering them in their beds. Therefore, it's safe to say that the lyrics, by themselves, are nothing short of disturbing. However, listening to the song as a whole is a completely different experience. Instead of being horrified by the thought of mass murder, listeners are swept into the appeal, the intrigue, the drama that the Stones create. Between the whirling of the almost demonically teasing harmonica, the sudden, unpredictable and chilling halt, the throbbing bass and drum beats, the eerie and wicked cackle, and the hypnotizing, brutal and explosive conclusion, the song truly showcases the genius of both The Rolling Stones and their album "Let It Bleed". "Midnight Rambler" is undoubtedly savage, but there is something interesting if not remarkable about such savagery. It is enough to corrupt even the saintliest of listeners... such is the power of the Stones' persuasion.

"I am a quiet man with an uneventful life, but the spirit of this song connects with something primal in me. Whatever that something is, it has sweltered under a blanket of repression and guilt; given the opportunity by this music, it dances for joy in the light of day. I am left feeling whole and exhilarated."

                                  - Reflects Rolling Stones fan Mark Harkin

And then... as if "Let It Bleed" couldn't get any more excruciatingly great... The Rolling Stones come up with "You Can't Always Get What You Want, which features not dark, almost sadistic lyrics and instruments but, instead, gospel choirs and a beautiful, uplifting message. Talk about range. Juxtaposing "Midnight Rambler" and "You Can't Always Get What You Want", which tells the tale of beaten, angry, battered souls who, despite it all, still manage to survive (what a metaphor for the youth of the sixties!), is nothing short of mind-blowing. The Stones' decision to end "Let It Bleed" really solidifies the Stones' ultimate message for the album and for the entire 60s in general: that, if we just accept ourselves and each other (weaknesses and inadequacies included), our daily struggles will seem considerably lighter and, furthermore, we might even catch a glimpse of a higher meaning.

And the list doesn't end there. "Gimme Shelter" and "Let It Bleed" and you have an awesome selection of songs. And an awesome range. The Rolling Stones' ability to take you into, what you could rightly call, the depths of evil and even insanity in "Midnight Rambler", the apocalyptic foreboding in "Gimme Shelter", the drug world of "Let It Bleed" and the ultimate source of hope in "You Can't Always Get What You Want" in one single album that, despite its tremendous diversity and variety, still manages to keep its believability and authenticity - it's tremendous. And it makes "Let It Bleed" sensational... valuable... epic even.

At the end of the day, "Let It Bleed" is an experience. It's a journey... it's a triumph... it's a classic; and its value musically, culturally, aesthetically, and historically is not to be under-appreciated. Instead, "Let It Bleed" screams importance and, as instructed on the album, "This record should be played loud"!

Sources:
http://www.threemonkeysonline.com/als_page2/Rolling_Stones_Let_it_Bleed.html
http://jalopnik.com/383931/what-are-your-ten-favorite-wrenching-albums