Hot Rocks 1964-1971

It's the rare greatest-hits album that takes on a life of its own. Generally, best-of collections are superceded by updated retrospectives. Hot Rocks is one of the rare exceptions to the rule. Originally released in 1972, it instantly became the Stones intro of choice, elbowing aside Big Hits, High Tide and Green Grass and Through the Past Darkly. Why? It happened to hit the racks when Mick and company were at their creative peak. The 21 tracks found here represent seven years of dizzying growth. From "Time is on My Side" through "Satisfaction" and "Let's Spend the Night Together," on to Sticky Fingers's "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses," Hot Rocks never lets up. The likes of Sucking in the '70s and Jump Back come and go, but this Stones overview will not be moved. --Steven Stolder

• Jump Back: The Best Of The Rolling Stones (1971 - 1993)
• More Hot Rocks: Big Hits & Fazed Cookies
• Sticky Fingers (2CD Deluxe)
• Some Girls [2 CD Deluxe Edition]
• Exile On Main Street [Remastered]
• Tattoo You [Remastered]
• Let It Bleed
• The Who: The Ultimate Collection
• Big Hits (High Tide and Green Grass)
• The Very Best Of The Rolling Stones 1964-1971