The Rolling Stones, forever teetering between the devil's playground and the angels' choir, released Between the Buttons in 1967, a year when the world was turning itself inside out. It was a time of psychedelic exploration, social upheaval, and the Stones, ever the cultural barometers, were right in the thick of it. The Israeli release on PAX Records, a rare and fascinating artifact, captures this moment in time, the band caught between the raw, bluesy swagger of their early years and the more experimental, studio-crafted sound that would come to define their later work.
Between the Buttons is a curious beast, a collection of songs that feel both loose and meticulously constructed. It's as if the Stones were trying to capture lightning in a bottle, channeling the chaotic energy of the times while still maintaining their signature swagger. The album opens with the playful, almost jaunty "Yesterday's Papers," a song that belies the darker themes lurking beneath the surface. Mick Jagger's vocals are at once playful and menacing, a sly wink to the listener as he sings about the fleeting nature of fame and fortune.
Side one continues to weave through a tapestry of emotions and sounds. “My Obsession” delves into a darker, more introspective space, while "Back Street Girl" showcases the band's ability to craft a melancholic ballad with a touch of music hall charm. “Connection” is a burst of raw energy, a reminder of the Stones' bluesy roots, while “She Smiled Sweetly” is a wistful, almost dreamlike song that showcases the band's growing sophistication as songwriters and arrangers. Side one closes with the tongue-in-cheek "Cool, Calm & Collected," a Jagger/Richards composition that perfectly captures the band's playful cynicism.
Side two kicks off with the cynical "All Sold Out," a commentary on the commercialization of the music industry. The frenetic "Please Go Home" is a sonic assault, a whirlwind of guitars and drums that leaves the listener breathless. "Who's Been Sleeping Here" is a playful, almost vaudevillian romp, while "Complicated" is a more introspective track that explores the complexities of modern relationships. The album closes with the whimsical "Miss Amanda Jones" and the psychedelic, almost surreal "Something Happened To Me Yesterday," a song that perfectly encapsulates the experimental spirit of the times.
Between the Buttons also features some of the Stones' most controversial tracks. "Let's Spend the Night Together," a raucous, sexually charged anthem that was included on the American release of the album, caused a stir upon its release. The song's suggestive lyrics and Jagger's provocative performance on The Ed Sullivan Show led to the band being censored and banned from several television programs. It was a classic Stones moment, the band thumbing their noses at the establishment and reveling in the controversy.
The album's production, overseen by Andrew Loog Oldham, is a mix of raw energy and studio wizardry. Recorded at Olympic Studios in London, Between the Buttons captures the Stones at their most spontaneous and experimental. The band's interplay is loose and intuitive, with Keith Richards's guitar riffs and Charlie Watts's drumming providing the backbone for Jagger's swaggering vocals. Brian Jones's contributions, including his delicate flute playing on "Ruby Tuesday" (included on the American release), showcase his versatility and willingness to experiment with different instruments and sounds.
Between the Buttons is an album that defies easy categorization. It's a snapshot of a band in transition, caught between the raw energy of their early years and the more polished, studio-crafted sound that would come to define their later work. It's an album that's both of its time and timeless, a testament to the Stones' enduring legacy as one of the greatest rock and roll bands of all time. The Israeli release on PAX Records is a rare and fascinating artifact, a reminder of the band's global reach and their ability to connect with audiences across cultures and continents. It's a testament to the power of music to transcend boundaries and bring people together, even in the midst of turbulent times.
