"Exile on Main Street" was the Stone's "Sgt. Pepper"

[Taverner]

Now wait, before you try to correct me and say "It was their White Album" or "It was their Abbey Road" or take offense for using Sgt Pepper as a yardstick in the first place.

In 1967 The Beatles were going for a certain 'sound.' You could tell they were onto something with the three previous albums (Rubber Soul, Revolver and Help!)

The Rolling Stones were a different kind of band. When they had their try at that 'sound' they came up with Their Satanic Magisties Request. It wasn't their sound. They were trying to be the Beatles.

Come 1971 they were running from their taxes, their fame, sobriety and angry dealers. Throughout the previous albums, they too were searching for that 'sound.' Songs like Honky Tonk Women and Dead Flowers all hinted to it, so when they put out Exile - it showed that they got the true 'sound' they were looking for.

Kind of Platonic ideal of The Stones.

[Ishoutandscream2]

1. I understand your argument

It's hard to wrap my mind around Exile being the Stones' Sgt. Pepper, but I understand your thesis. I wouldn't word it as such, but I do get your drift.

[Cant trust em]

2. I feel like with Exile the Stones weren't aiming for their masterpiece....

like the Beatles were with Pepper. More rather that the "sound" that this album embodies is the loose swagger that wound up being their masterpiece.

[Danger Mouse]

3. The rolling stones...are largely hit and miss.

i absolutely love 'gimme shelter' 'you can't always get what you want' and 'she smiled sweetly' among others, but some of their most famous songs, such as 'satisfaction' and 'brown sugar' make me want to jam a rusty ice pick in my ear.

[mulsh]

4. It was the Stone's Exile on Main Street.

I hear what you're saying but I think comparing Exile to any other album by any other band is futile. I think they found their sound around Beggar's Banquet/Let it Bleed, Exile is a real high water mark for this band.

I think they gave up on trying to be like the Beatles or any other band around the time the did Their Satanic Majesties Request or maybe it was when they got rid of their early management team.