Exile on Main St. — 1972

A loose, murky double album cut largely in a French villa basement, where blues, country, gospel and rock'n'roll bleed into one another. It sounded ramshackle on release and is now widely held to be their masterpiece. Let it wash over you a few times before its depth reveals itself. Mid-catalogue, but far from a placeholder.

On vinyl: Original '70s pressings vary widely in quality; check reviews of the specific reissue you're considering.

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More from The Rolling Stones — where to go next

If you have Exile on Main St., these are the The Rolling Stones records worth reaching for next.

1. 1
   Exile on Main St.1972 · you're viewing this one
   Start here
2. 2
   Beggars Banquet1968 · Rock
   Essential
3. 3
   Let It Bleed1969 · Rock
   Essential
4. 4
   Out of Our Heads1965 · Rock
   Classic
5. 5
   Aftermath1966 · Rock
   Classic

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