12 × 5 1964 Album

The Rolling Stones

Despite what I think is an average start to the album, 12 x 5 is overall a moderate leap from the debut in a variety of ways. It's still the same batch of R&B and/or 50's covers, but there's more bite and vitriol to this collection, starting right from "Good Times, Bad Times" and rolling on from there. "It's All Over Now" reeks of classic Stones swagger and nastiness. Elsewhere, there are tons of little touches and imprints which make them stand way above the rest (the ultra-spooky twang-echo at the end of every measure of "Grown Up Wrong" for instance). Unfortunately, over in England they could only get this in EP format back in the day - hence, "Five by Five" - whereas…well, you get the idea.