Hot Rocks
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 Generally, best-of collections are superceded by updated retrospectives.Hot Rocksis one of the rare exceptions to the rule. Originally released in 1972, it instantly became the Stones intro of choice, elbowing asideBig Hits, High Tide and Green GrassandThrough 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 toSticky Fingers's "Brown Sugar" and "Wild Horses,"Hot Rocksnever lets up. The likes ofSucking in the '70sandJump Backcome and go, but this Stones overview will not be moved.--Steven Stolder