This morning I ended a strange and patriotic period of my life. Though it’s unclear to me now how it came about, for a while I’d been waking up every morning to the Canadian national anthem on my CD player alarm clock —but today, was a melancholic change to “Paint it Black” (the first song on Aftermath). What a colossal difference. 
Aftermath, The Rolling Stone’s first album entirely composed of original singles was the dawn of a new experimental direction. This was established through the use of unconventional instruments most notably the dulcimer, marimba and sitar. The dulcimer is most prominent in the track: “Lady Jane”. "Lady Jane" is a pleasant and soft sounding song that has lyrics that I’d associate with mid-seventeenth century poetry rather anything I could ever imagine spouting from Jagger’s mouth. Though, I must admit this tune does add a touch of class and gentlemanliness to The Stone’s mystic in a place that might need it.
On either side of “Lady Jane”, are the tunes “Stupid Girl” and “Under my Thumb” which contain lyrics that are arguably chauvinistic. In spite of this, and regardless of what it says about me, “Under my Thumb” in my mind, is unquestionably the most rocking song on the album. Opening with amazing marimba riffs, this energetic harmony --of not just instruments and vocals but the hearts and souls of the band members brings my stereo to life and gives a vibrant freshness to the air in this unventilated empty room every time I play it.
“Paint it Black” is perhaps not the most inspiring (or patriotic) song to wakeup to but despite its depressing lyrics it is certainly better to wake up to this song rather than not waking up at all. This song topped the Billboard single charts in both the US and UK and its easy to hear why. Heavy-heartbeat-pounding drums fraught with a stinging electric-sounding sitar alongside Jagger’s edgy vocals reciting lyrics that literally paint the world a dreary black, makes this tune coincide with darker side of the band’s disposition.
The more I listen to the tune “It’s Not Easy” the more I decide it is really not one of the best tracks on the album. But every time I walk downstairs to look into an empty fridge, spend the wee hours of the morning doing laundry, or reestablish my bottom-end’s unrequited love with porcelain due to surviving on coffee alone --I can’t help but think of this tune.
Another dimension added to this album’s experimental tone was the eleven minute track “Going Home” which was unheard of at the time. (However, if you’ve got eleven minutes to spare you’re better off listening to The Doors “The End”)
A popular release that was captivating the ears of radio listeners around the height of "Paint it Black’s" notoriety was Frank Sinatra’s “Stranger’s in the Night”.
Aftermath, The Rolling Stone’s first album entirely composed of original singles was the dawn of a new experimental direction. This was established through the use of unconventional instruments most notably the dulcimer, marimba and sitar. The dulcimer is most prominent in the track: “Lady Jane”. "Lady Jane" is a pleasant and soft sounding song that has lyrics that I’d associate with mid-seventeenth century poetry rather anything I could ever imagine spouting from Jagger’s mouth. Though, I must admit this tune does add a touch of class and gentlemanliness to The Stone’s mystic in a place that might need it.
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