Terrible sound quality mars this otherwise cool reissue

I loved it that ABKCO released several of the classic Rolling Stones catalog from the 60's in the British versions as well as the more familiar American albums. In the case of Aftermath in particular, the buyer gets a much better album than the American version. I also bought the UK versions of Between the Buttons and Out of Our Heads. The latter purchase was a big disappointment however. In general, the sound quality has been extraordinary on the ABKCO releases on hybrid SACD. Out of Our Heads UK is the exception. The sound quality is muddy and extremely low fi. I am assuming that the original masters must be in poor condition, because other albums from the same period, like Big Hits, High Tide Green Grass sound fine. I applaud the idea of releasing the British Out of Our Heads album, because it is a cool selection of cover tunes and Jagger/Richards originals, but the atrocious sound quality makes it a bad purchase choice.

As the Artists entended......

Chronologically, this would be the third LP by the band released in their homeland as opposed to the US where the albums were usually compilations of the UK single, EP and LP releases. Case in point, the UK "Out of Our Heads" consists of a combination of tracks from the US album of the same name and "December's Children"(also has the same cover as the latter.) Confused yet? That's how it usually was when lps by British groups were put out stateside. Anyway, this album is very much a no frills (hit singles) example of young band on the cusp of superstardom and evolving their sound by still incorporating blues, soul and R&B standards along with more originals. Examples of the former include Otis Redding ("That's How Strong My Love Is"), Marvin Gaye ("Hitch Hike"), Solomon Burke ("Cry to Me"), Don Covay ("Mercy, Mercy"), Chuck Berry ("Talkin' Bout You") and Sam Cooke ("Good Times"), all credible versions of legendary artists. Originals include "I'm Free", "Under Assistant West Coast Promo Man", and "Heart of Stone" (a US single the previous year). The all-time classics singles "Satisfaction", "Last Time" and "Get Off of My Cloud" were left off the British lp, but if you are a Rolling Stones fan you already own those songs on various compilations. I think it's great that this album became available in the US on CD just for the fact it was an original recording, the songs that were meant to be on a long -player and not a record company hodge-podge. This album proved to be the last of the early era Stones lps, where covers dominated the track listings. Next up would be "Aftermath", the first great Rolling Stones album. Still "Heads" is definitely a solid purchase for the Stones enthuisiast but maybe not the casual fan.

Their Blusey & Raunchiest Best

I've always been a big fan of the US releases of Out Of Our Heads and December's Children. What I didn't know is that the UK version of Out Of Our Heads is actually a composite of songs featured on both of the above mentioned US album releases. What you don't get are the hit singles from those albums; Get Off My Cloud, Last Time & Satisfaction. But, the songs included in the UK album feature the Stones, in their prime, covering some classic Motown; Mercy Mercy & Hitch Hike, (Marvin Gaye), Stax Volt; That's How Strong My Love Is, (Otis Redding) and Sam Cooke's timeless classic Good Times.



The songs seague beautifully and hold together more cohesively than on the US albums and the digital remastering is far superior than the US releases that were orginally released on CD in the early 90's. If you like the Stones, in their early British Blues period circia 1965-68, then you'll love this one. It ranks right up there with Aftermath and 12x5 and Rolling Stones Now as there blusey and raunchiest best!