(Psychedelic Rock, Garage Rock) [CD] VA - Various Artists - Stoned: A Psych Tribute to The Rolling Stones - 2015, FLAC (tracks), lossless

GET STONED with these 14 mind blowing psych rock versions of classic Rolling Stones songs performed by the newest leaders of experimental space rock!
Includes Clinic’s hallucinogenic take on “I Know It’s Only Rock & Roll (But I Like It),” The Vacant Lots’ stimulating version of “She Smiled Sweetly,” The Allah-Las’ gorgeous “Stoned,” Pure X’s haunting “Beast Of Burden” and many more!
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Martyn Coppack --
The Rolling Stones and psych. A match made in heaven we may think although when The Stones tried their hand at it they failed pretty drastically. Where Satanic Majesties was a bit of a mess though, it seems that the new breed of psych acts who cover The Stones on this tribute album, actually make a fair go of it. Maybe it’s because they stayed away from the aforementioned Stones attempt (apart from Celestial Bums who make a rather non descript Child Of The Moon).
These things are always a mixed bag though and you often wonder quite what the point is. For a change, things are stacked on the side of very well done and whilst there are no truly outstanding covers, each carries its own charms. You get a bunch of artists who are obviously in thrall to The Stones, delivering their own versions of a repertoire that is at times untouchable.
Perhaps its greatest success is the lack of covers of any of the truly canonical songs. Pink Velvet deliver a fine Satisfaction which is all greasy bikered up, Shiny Darkly do a rather fantastic cover of Under My Thumb which is all brooding 80’s tremendous and Ian McCulloch style singing (not the first time the Bunnymen are evoked) and best of all a tremendous Sympathy For The Devil from The KVB which manages to be more sinister than its already perfect predecessor.
Elsewhere Clinic win the weirdness stakes for their bleep-filled It’s Only Rock and Roll whilst The Tulips deliver a dreamy Wild Horses which beats Cowboy Junkies hands down. Allah Las pretty much phone their version of Stoned in and Sons of Hippies completely misread Gimme Shelter although each is not without its charms.
Unlike many tribute albums, this is one you will return to if only to hear some of the most interesting bands around at the moment. Essentially it’s all for fun so it’s churlish to slate any of it but it’s hardly going to replace the originals. Treat it as a companion piece and you will find much to enjoy.