Released in May 1972, “Exile on Main St.” stands as perhaps the most mythologised album in the Rolling Stones’ extensive catalog. A sprawling double LP encompassing rock, blues, country, gospel, and soul, the album emerged from troubled circumstances but has since been recognised as the band’s crowning achievement. Recorded primarily in the dank basement of Keith Richards’ rented villa in southern France, the album captures the Stones at their most raw and unbridled, creating a work that critic Robert Christgau would later call “the closest thing to a great Stones album in a long time.”
Context and Creation
Tax Exiles and Villa Nellcôte
In 1971, the Rolling Stones found themselves in financial trouble. Facing exorbitant tax rates in the United Kingdom and discovering that their former manager Allen Klein had secured ownership of their pre-1971 song catalog, the band fled England for tax exile in France. Keith Richards rented a 19th-century villa called Nellcôte in Villefranche-sur-Mer on the French Riviera, which would become the primary recording location for the album.
The villa’s basement, with its poor ventilation, high humidity, and maze of rooms, created both challenges and a uniquely atmospheric recording environment. The band set up their mobile recording truck outside and ran cables into the basement, where they played in various rooms to achieve different sounds. The unusual setting contributed significantly to the album’s distinctive sonic character.
Recording Conditions and Chaos
The sessions at Nellcôte have become legendary for their chaotic nature. Work would typically begin in the evening and continue through the night. The villa became a revolving door for various friends, hangers-on, drug dealers, and fellow musicians. Keith Richards and his partner Anita Pallenberg were heavily using heroin during this period, leading to unpredictable recording schedules.
Despite (or perhaps because of) these challenging conditions, the band produced some of their most authentic and powerful work. As Richards later reflected, “There was this tremendous air of something, like… something’s gotta give, but until then, let’s enjoy the ride.”
Musical Content and Style
The Sound of Exile
“Exile on Main St.” is notable for its murky, dense production. Many of the vocals are buried in the mix, creating a sonic texture that critic Stephen Thomas Erlewine described as “dense and impenetrable.” This production approach was partly intentional and partly a result of the difficult recording conditions, but it lends the album a unique atmosphere that has proven influential for generations of rock musicians.
The album features some of the Stones’ most accomplished and diverse musical performances. Charlie Watts’ drumming provides a solid foundation throughout, while Mick Taylor’s lead guitar work adds technical brilliance to complement Keith Richards’ rhythmic mastery. Bill Wyman’s bass playing is understated but essential, and Mick Jagger delivers some of his most passionate vocal performances, though often obscured in the mix.
Genre Exploration
One of the album’s most remarkable aspects is its wide-ranging exploration of American roots music:
- Rock and Roll: Tracks like “Rocks Off” and “All Down the Line” showcase the band’s ability to create urgent, energetic rock.
- Blues: “Stop Breaking Down” (a Robert Johnson cover) and “I Just Want to See His Face” dig deep into blues traditions.
- Country: “Sweet Virginia” and “Torn and Frayed” display the band’s affinity for country music.
- Gospel and Soul: “Shine a Light” and “Loving Cup” incorporate gospel elements and soul influences.
This diverse musical palette creates a comprehensive survey of American musical forms, filtered through the Stones’ distinctly British interpretation.
Album Structure and Standout Tracks
As a double album containing 18 tracks, “Exile” offers a journey through various moods and styles. Some of the most notable tracks include:
- “Rocks Off”: The album opener sets the tone with its exuberant energy and Richards’ memorable guitar riff, though the horns and vocals are somewhat lost in the murky mix.
- “Tumbling Dice”: Perhaps the album’s most famous track, it combines a laid-back groove with gospel-influenced backing vocals. The song’s gambling metaphors reflect the band’s precarious situation at the time.
- “Sweet Virginia”: A country-influenced acoustic number showcasing the band’s affection for American roots music.
- “Happy”: One of the rare Stones tracks featuring Keith Richards on lead vocals, it became a concert staple.
- “Shine a Light”: Originally written about former band member Brian Jones, this gospel-infused track features some of Mick Jagger’s most soulful singing.
- “All Down the Line”: A driving rocker that exemplifies the Stones at their most energetic and affirming.
Critical Reception and Legacy
Initial Reception
Upon its release, “Exile on Main St.” received mixed reviews. While some critics immediately recognized its brilliance, others found it unfocused and overlong. The murky production and sprawling nature of the double album proved challenging for listeners accustomed to more immediate and accessible works.
Over time, however, critical opinion coalesced around the view that “Exile” represented the Stones at their artistic peak. By the album’s 10th anniversary, it was already being hailed as a masterpiece, and its reputation has only grown in subsequent decades.
Influence and Impact
The album’s influence extends across multiple genres and generations:
- Alt-Country/Americana: Bands like Wilco, The Black Crowes, and Drive-By Truckers have cited “Exile” as a foundational influence.
- Indie Rock: The album’s raw production aesthetics and blending of American roots music influenced bands from Pavement to The White Stripes.
- Production Style: The album’s dense, layered sound has inspired countless producers and engineers seeking to capture a similar atmospheric quality.
In 2003, the album was ranked 7th on Rolling Stone magazine’s list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, cementing its status as one of rock music’s essential works.
Reissues and Rediscovery
In 2010, the album was reissued with ten previously unreleased tracks, bringing renewed attention to this landmark recording. The reissue included alternate takes and songs from the original sessions that had been completed with new vocals and instrumentation by the band.
A documentary film, “Stones in Exile,” directed by Stephen Kijak, was also released in 2010, chronicling the album’s creation and featuring new interviews with band members reflecting on this pivotal period.
“Exile on Main St.” represents a perfect storm of circumstances, creativity, and musical exploration. Created amid chaos and uncertainty, it captures the Rolling Stones at their most vulnerable and authentic. The album’s enduring appeal lies not just in its individual songs but in its cumulative power as a document of a great band working at the height of their powers under extraordinary circumstances.
What began as a tax-motivated exile resulted in what many consider the definitive Rolling Stones album, one that continues to reveal new layers and nuances with each listening, even five decades after its creation. In the end, “Exile on Main St.” stands as a testament to how challenging conditions can sometimes produce transcendent art—a beautiful mess that continues to influence and inspire musicians around the world.
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