The Rolling Stones

Hot Rocks is one of those albums that everyone has had in his collection at some point. It's got all the Stones' big hits on it, which is good. But if you have access to all the records -- which you do with RHAPSODY -- then you owe it to yourself to listen to them instead of some collection that doesn't include "Bitch'," "Monkey Man" or "Flight 505" (to name a few).

It would be nice to be able to call it something like The Rolling Stones' Golden Decade, for
the Stones have been the most enduringly prolific highwire act of their time, both
reflecting and surpassing the era with a deadly accuracy that can make them seem more
dangerous than they really are. But somehow this album merely falls into that venerable
Stones tradition of supra-throwaway albums, collections like December's Childr... More >

If you don't like the Stones, this might serve as a sampler--the only dubious cut is the live "Midnight Rambler." But if you don't like the Stones, why are you reading this book? Look, here's how it works. Except for Satanic Majesties, which isn't represented here, all of their '60s studio albums are musts. Couldn't even tell you where to start. Now!, maybe. Or Let It Bleed. Aftermath? Beggars Banquet? (Grade - B-)