A Bigger Bang

Source: Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia.
For the tour, see A Bigger Bang Tour.

A Bigger Bang
A painting of the band members with an explosion of light in the center
Studio album by
The Rolling Stones
Released5 September 2005 (2005-09-05)[1]
Recorded
  • November 2004
  • 7–9 March 2005
  • 6–28 June 2005
Studio
GenreRock
Length64:23
Label
Producer
The Rolling Stones chronology
Singles 1968–1971
(2005) 		A Bigger Bang
(2005) 		Rarities 1971–2003
(2005)
The Rolling Stones studio album chronology
Bridges to Babylon
(1997) 		A Bigger Bang
(2005) 		Blue & Lonesome
(2016)
Singles from A Bigger Bang
  1. "Streets of Love"/"Rough Justice"
    Released: 22 August 2005
  2. "Rain Fall Down"
    Released: 5 December 2005
  3. "Biggest Mistake"
    Released: 21 August 2006

A Bigger Bang is the twenty-second studio album by the English rock band the Rolling Stones, released through Virgin Records on 5 September 2005. It was the band's last album of original material recorded entirely with Charlie Watts on drums before his death in 2021.[2]

Unlike their prior effort eight years before, the sprawling and eclectic Bridges to Babylon, which had an array of producers, musical styles, and guest musicians, the Stones set out to make a basic, hard rock album that hearkened back to their 1960s–1970s heyday. A single producer, Don Was, was brought in to co-produce the album alongside the band's principal songwriting and production team of vocalist Mick Jagger and Keith Richards. Joining the two were band members Ronnie Wood on guitar and Charlie Watts on drums, contract players Darryl Jones on bass and Chuck Leavell on keyboards, and multi-instrumentalist Matt Clifford. Most of the basic tracks were recorded as a simple trio of Jagger, Richards, and Watts, with overdubs added later by other players.

The back-to-basics method of recording the album paid off for the Stones, who saw the album reach number three in the US, number two in the UK, and number one in eleven countries around the world. The lead single, "Streets of Love", failed to chart in the US, but was otherwise successful around the world, reaching number 15 in the UK and top-40 in over a dozen other countries. Two other singles were released to moderate worldwide sales. Reviews of the album were generally favourable; while critics noted that the album was not up to the standards of the Stones classic period, it nonetheless was among the best reviewed of their later albums. The follow-up tour, which lasted two years, would become the highest-grossing tour of all time by its completion. A Martin Scorsese-directed concert film titled Shine a Light documented the tour.

History

The album used a stripped-down style reminiscent of Some Girls (1978), but with a harder, more contemporary edge. Although initial reports stated that the Stones had "returned to their roots" with the record, the minimal instrumentation, rough mix, tough blues and "garage" rock hybrid bear certain similarities to the style of contemporary artists like the White Stripes and the Black Keys.

Many songs were recorded with just the core band of Jagger, Richards and Watts. Ronnie Wood was absent from many sessions, playing on only ten of the sixteen tracks, with only occasional contributions from outside musicians comprising the recording of the album. This is also the first album where Jagger plays bass guitar on some tracks.

The Stones said in a statement that the album's title reflects "their fascination with the scientific theory about the origin of the universe."[3][4]

Writing and recording

Songs for A Bigger Bang were composed by Jagger and Richards in June 2004 at Jagger's chateau in Pocé-sur-Cisse, France. At the château, they learned of Charlie Watts' throat cancer diagnosis and debated about postponing the writing, but ultimately went ahead after determining that Watts was not required to be present until later. As a result of this, Jagger played the drums during early guide track recordings; all but one of these was later rerecorded by Watts, but Jagger's beat remained. Jagger and Richards shared guitar, bass, and keyboard parts between each other. The album was produced by Don Was and the sound engineering was done by Krish Sharma. Mixing for the album was performed by Jack Joseph Puig and Dave Sardy.[5]

Lyrical content

The song "Sweet Neo Con" is a criticism of the conservative Christian movement in American politics.[6]

"Dangerous Beauty" is widely understood to refer to US Army Reserve Lynndie England, who was convicted of mistreating detainees during the Abu Ghraib torture and prisoner abuse that occurred at the Abu Ghraib prison during the Iraq War.[7][better source needed]

Release and reception

Professional ratings
Aggregate scores
SourceRating
Metacritic73/100[8]
Review scores
SourceRating
AllMusic[9]
Blender[10]
Entertainment WeeklyB−[11]
The Guardian[12]
Mojo[13]
NME6/10[14]
Q[15]
Rolling Stone[16]
Uncut[17]
The Village VoiceA−[18]

The first single, "Streets of Love"/"Rough Justice", reached No. 15 on the UK Singles Chart, while A Bigger Bang peaked at No. 2 on the UK Albums Chart.[19]

In August 2005, the Rolling Stones embarked on the 90-show A Bigger Bang Tour in support of the album. It was met with sold-out tickets at every destination, usually within minutes of going on sale. The tour was extended into 2007 because Richards got hurt falling out of a tree in Fiji and required surgery in New Zealand. The tour concluded in August 2007 at the O2 Arena in London.

Critical reaction was mostly positive. The aggregate score of the album by Metacritic was rated 73 out of 100, categorising the reviews as "generally favourable".[8] A Bigger Bang was touted as the best Rolling Stones album in years.[9][20][21][11][22] Nevertheless, all of the Stones albums since 1989's Steel Wheels had been similarly lauded,[23] and many critics and fans felt that the Stones had yet to record a late-period album truly up to their high standards. It was chosen as one of Amazon.com's Top 100 Editor's Picks of 2005, and ranked the second-best album of the year by Rolling Stone magazine, behind rapper Kanye West's Late Registration.[24] A review by the Associated Press referred to the album as "a winner" that "hammers home the fact that The Rolling Stones still have 'it'".[25]

A Bigger Bang went platinum in the US[26] and Germany,[27] and gold in Japan.[28] According to Nielsen SoundScan it sold 546,000 copies in the US,[29] and as of 31 March 2006, 2.4 million copies worldwide according to EMI.[30]

In 2009, A Bigger Bang was reissued by Universal Music Group. The US re-release was handled by Interscope Records, while Polydor Records handled all other territories.

Usage in other media

Songs from A Bigger Bang have seen commercial use in television, including multiple appearances in Days of Our Lives.[31]

Track listing

All tracks are written by Mick Jagger and Keith Richards.

A Bigger Bang track listing
No.TitleLength
1."Rough Justice"3:11
2."Let Me Down Slow"4:16
3."It Won't Take Long"3:54
4."Rain Fall Down"4:54
5."Streets of Love"5:10
6."Back of My Hand"3:32
7."She Saw Me Coming"3:12
8."Biggest Mistake"4:06
9."This Place Is Empty"3:12
10."Oh No, Not You Again"3:46
11."Dangerous Beauty"3:48
12."Laugh, I Nearly Died"4:54
13."Sweet Neo Con"4:33
14."Look What the Cat Dragged In"3:57
15."Driving Too Fast"3:56
16."Infamy"3:47
Total length:64:23

Personnel

Credits adapted from album liner notes.[32]

The Rolling Stones

  • Mick Jagger – vocals (all tracks), guitars (1–5, 8, 10–16), keyboard (4, 12, 13, 16), vibraphone (4), bass guitar (6, 7, 11, 13, 14), harmonica (6, 13, 16), percussion (6, 7, 12, 15, 16), slide guitar (6, 9), production (all tracks)
  • Keith Richards – guitars (all tracks), backing vocals (2, 3, 7, 8), lead vocals (9, 16), bass guitar (9, 10, 16), piano (9), keyboard (16), production (all tracks)
  • Charlie Watts – drums (all tracks)
  • Ronnie Wood – slide guitar (1, 2), guitars (3–5, 7, 8, 12, 14, 15)

Additional musicians

Production

  • Don Was – production (all tracks)
  • Ryan Castle – engineer (1)
  • Andy Brohard – assistant engineer (1)
  • Dave Sardy – mixing (1)
  • Krish Sharma – engineer (all tracks), mixing (4, 6, 12–14, 16)
  • Jack Joseph Puig – mixing (2, 3, 5, 7–11, 15)
  • Dean Nelson – assistant engineer (2, 3, 5, 7–11, 15)
  • J.D. Andrew – additional engineer and editing (4, 6, 12–14, 16)
  • German Villacorta – 2nd assistant engineer (4, 6, 12–14, 16)
  • Pierre de Beauport – guitar technician, demo engineer
  • Stephen Marcussen – mastering
  • Stewart Whitmore – digital editor for Marcussen Mastering
  • Tony King – artwork coordination
  • Nick Knight – photography
  • Michael Nash Associates – design and art direction

Charts

Certifications and sales

Certifications and sales for A Bigger Bang
Region Certification Certified units/sales
Argentina (CAPIF)[65] Platinum 40,000^
Austria (IFPI Austria)[66] Gold 15,000*
Canada (Music Canada)[67] Platinum 100,000^
Denmark (IFPI Danmark)[68] Gold 20,000^
France (SNEP)[69] Gold 100,000*
Germany (BVMI)[27] Platinum 200,000^
Greece (IFPI Greece)[70] Gold 10,000^
Italy
sales in 2005 		— 103,000[71]
Japan (RIAJ)[28] Gold 100,000^
Netherlands (NVPI)[72] Gold 40,000^
New Zealand (RMNZ)[73] Gold 7,500^
Poland (ZPAV)[74] Gold 10,000*
Spain (PROMUSICAE)[75] Gold 50,000^
Sweden (GLF)[76] Gold 30,000^
Switzerland (IFPI Switzerland)[77] Gold 20,000^
United Kingdom (BPI)[78] Gold 100,000^
United States (RIAA)[26] Platinum 1,000,000^
Summaries
Europe (IFPI)[79] Platinum 1,000,000*

* Sales figures based on certification alone.
^ Shipments figures based on certification alone.

References

  1. ^ "BPI Certification". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 11 July 2024.
  2. ^ McGrath, Kristin (24 August 2021). "Rolling Stones drummer Charlie Watts dies at 80: Playing the drums was all he ever wanted". USA Today. Archived from the original on 19 June 2022. Retrieved 19 June 2022.
  3. ^ "Rolling Stones back with a Bang". BBC News. 28 July 2005. Archived from the original on 6 March 2016. Retrieved 15 November 2015.
  4. ^ "Stones promise 'A Bigger Bang'". Los Angeles Times. 28 July 2005. Archived from the original on 17 November 2015. Retrieved 15 November 2015 – via Associated Press.
  5. ^ Margotin, Philippe; Guesdon, Jean-Michel (2016). The Rolling Stones All the Songs: The Story Behind Every Track. Running Press. pp. 668–669. ISBN 978-0-316-31773-3.
  6. ^ Ali, Lorraine (15 August 2005). "Satisfaction Guaranteed". Newsweek. Archived from the original on 29 October 2010. Retrieved 17 June 2010.
  7. ^ Dangerous Beauty by the Rolling Stones Archived 14 May 2020 at the Wayback Machine. Songfacts. Retrieved 3 September 2023.
  8. ^ a b "Reviews for A Bigger Bang by The Rolling Stones". Metacritic. Archived from the original on 17 October 2012. Retrieved 14 November 2012.
  9. ^ a b Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. "A Bigger Bang – The Rolling Stones". AllMusic. Rovi Corporation. Archived from the original on 20 April 2016. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  10. ^ Christgau, Robert (October 2005). "Hard Again". Blender (41): 142. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  11. ^ a b Browne, David (5 September 2005). "A Bigger Bang". Entertainment Weekly. Archived from the original on 31 March 2018. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  12. ^ Petridis, Alexis (2 September 2005). "The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang". The Guardian. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  13. ^ "The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang". Mojo (143): 100. October 2005.
  14. ^ Martin, Dan (19 September 2005). "The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang". NME. Archived from the original on 15 December 2007. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  15. ^ "The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang". Q (231): 110. October 2005.
  16. ^ Light, Alan (22 September 2005). "A Bigger Bang: The Rolling Stones: Review". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 21 April 2009. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  17. ^ "The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang". Uncut (101): 92. October 2005.
  18. ^ Christgau, Robert (27 September 2005). "Consumer Guide: Crafts and Lies". The Village Voice. Archived from the original on 29 May 2019. Retrieved 29 May 2019.
  19. ^ "Rolling Stones". Official Charts. Archived from the original on 19 April 2013. Retrieved 16 September 2023.
  20. ^ Phipps, Keith (14 September 2005). "The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang". The A.V. Club. Archived from the original on 18 November 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  21. ^ Sterdan, Darryl (1 September 2005). "CANOE – Jam! Music – Artists – Album Review: A Bigger Bang". jam.canoe.ca. Archived from the original on 15 January 2013. Retrieved 13 November 2012.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  22. ^ Soto, Alfred (9 September 2005). "The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang – Review". Stylus Magazine. Archived from the original on 9 May 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  23. ^ Shymanik, Steve; MacNeil, Jason (12 September 2005). "The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang". PopMatters. Archived from the original on 23 October 2012. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  24. ^ "The Top 50 Records of 2005". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on 2 February 2007. Retrieved 6 May 2007. 2. The Rolling Stones, A Bigger Bang
  25. ^ Coyle, Jake (9 September 2005). "Rolling Stones bang out a winner". Florida Today. p. 90. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021 – via The Associated Press.
  26. ^ a b "American album certifications – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Recording Industry Association of America.
  27. ^ a b "Gold-/Platin-Datenbank (The Rolling Stones; 'A Bigger Bang')" (in German). Bundesverband Musikindustrie.
  28. ^ a b "Japanese album certifications – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in Japanese). Recording Industry Association of Japan. Select 2005年9月 on the drop-down menu
  29. ^ Christman, Ed, et al. "Future Shock" Archived 30 January 2010 at the Wayback Machine. Billboard. 23 January 2010
  30. ^ Cashmere, Paul (13 January 2007). "EMI Share Price Drops on Restructure Announcement". Undercover Media Pty Ltd. Archived from the original on 16 June 2013. Retrieved 21 March 2011.
  31. ^ Strachan, Alex (18 October 2005). "I tell you, that Earl's a prince". The Ottawa Citizen. p. 53. Archived from the original on 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  32. ^ A Bigger Bang. Virgin Records. 2005. pp. 14–15.
  33. ^ "Australiancharts.com – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  34. ^ "Austriancharts.at – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in German). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  35. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  36. ^ "Ultratop.be – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in French). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  37. ^ "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Canadian Albums)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  38. ^ "Oficiální česká hitparáda IFPI ČR – 37. týden 2005". Marketing & Media (in Czech). 16 September 2005. Archived from the original on 5 January 2024. Retrieved 5 January 2024.
  39. ^ "Danishcharts.dk – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  40. ^ "Dutchcharts.nl – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in Dutch). Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  41. ^ "The Rolling Stones: A Bigger Bang" (in Finnish). Musiikkituottajat – IFPI Finland. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  42. ^ "Lescharts.com – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  43. ^ "Offiziellecharts.de – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in German). GfK Entertainment Charts. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  44. ^ "Irish-charts.com – Discography The Rolling Stones". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  45. ^ "Italiancharts.com – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  46. ^ "Charts.nz – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  47. ^ "Norwegiancharts.com – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  48. ^ "Portuguesecharts.com – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  49. ^ "Spanishcharts.com – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  50. ^ "Swedishcharts.com – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  51. ^ "Swisscharts.com – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Hung Medien. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  52. ^ "The Rolling Stones | Artist | Official Charts". UK Albums Chart. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  53. ^ "The Rolling Stones Chart History (Billboard 200)". Billboard. Retrieved 12 March 2023.
  54. ^ "Jahreshitparade Alben 2005". austriancharts.at. Archived from the original on 25 January 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  55. ^ "Jaaroverzichten 2005". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 10 April 2008. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  56. ^ "Rapports Annuels 2005". Ultratop. Archived from the original on 8 March 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  57. ^ "Jaaroverzichten – Album 2005". dutchcharts.nl. Archived from the original on 18 June 2012. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  58. ^ "Top de l'année Top Albums 2005" (in French). SNEP. Archived from the original on 15 July 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  59. ^ "Top 100 Album-Jahrescharts" (in German). GfK Entertainment. Archived from the original on 12 April 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  60. ^ "Årslista Album – År 2005" (in Swedish). Sverigetopplistan. Archived from the original on 13 October 2020. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  61. ^ "Schweizer Jahreshitparade 2005". hitparade.ch. Archived from the original on 10 November 2021. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  62. ^ "ChartsPlusYE2005" (PDF). UKchartsplus.co.uk. Official Charts Company. Archived (PDF) from the original on 25 February 2009. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  63. ^ "Top Billboard 200 Albums – Year-End 2005". Billboard. Archived from the original on 1 October 2016. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  64. ^ "Top 50 Global Best Selling Albums for 2005" (PDF). IFPI. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 November 2008. Retrieved 2 February 2023.
  65. ^ "Discos de Oro y Platino – 2006". capif.org.ar (in Spanish). Archived from the original on 27 September 2007. Retrieved 12 June 2012.
  66. ^ "Austrian album certifications – Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in German). IFPI Austria. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  67. ^ "Canadian album certifications – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Music Canada. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  68. ^ "Danish album certifications – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". IFPI Danmark. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  69. ^ "French album certifications – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in French). Syndicat National de l'Édition Phonographique. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  70. ^ "Ελληνικό Chart – Top 50 Ξένων Aλμπουμ" (in Greek). IFPI Greece. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  71. ^ De Luigi, Mario. "Ricossa nazionale" (PDF). Musica e Dischi. p. 10. Archived from the original (PDF) on 26 May 2015. Retrieved 9 August 2020.
  72. ^ "Dutch album certifications – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang" (in Dutch). Nederlandse Vereniging van Producenten en Importeurs van beeld- en geluidsdragers. Retrieved 19 June 2019. Enter A Bigger Bang in the "Artiest of titel" box. Select 2005 in the drop-down menu saying "Alle jaargangen".
  73. ^ "New Zealand album certifications – The Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". Recorded Music NZ. Retrieved 13 November 2012.[dead link‍]
  74. ^ "Wyróżnienia – Złote płyty CD - Archiwum - Przyznane w 2007 roku" (in Polish). Polish Society of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 18 April 2021.
  75. ^ "Spanish album certifications" (in Spanish). Productores de Música de España. Retrieved 29 August 2022. Select Álbumes under "Categoría", select 2005 under "Año". Select 52 under "Semana". Click on "BUSCAR LISTA".
  76. ^ "Guld- och Platinacertifikat − År 2005" (PDF) (in Swedish). IFPI Sweden. Archived from the original (PDF) on 17 May 2011. Retrieved 29 November 2021.
  77. ^ "The Official Swiss Charts and Music Community: Awards ('A Bigger Bang')". IFPI Switzerland. Hung Medien. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  78. ^ "British album certifications – Rolling Stones – A Bigger Bang". British Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
  79. ^ "IFPI Platinum Europe Awards – 2006". International Federation of the Phonographic Industry. Retrieved 13 November 2012.
Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=A_Bigger_Bang&oldid=1257210686"