Steve (April 6, 2009)

The argument is often made that the Stones were out of their element when it came to trying to make psychedelic music and that THEIR SATANIC MAJESTIES REQUEST was nothing more than a Beatles rip-off. I disagree. Other than the album artwork, which was extremely busy and coming in the wake of the Beatles very busy PEPPER, the Stones brand of psychedelic music sounded nothing like the Beatles brand. And not only that, the band were not strangers to making psychedelic music, having already had several tunes that are considered such: "Paint It,Black", "Have You Seen Your Mother,Baby...","19th Nervous Breakdown", "Mothers Little Helper" and "Dandelion" to name but a few.

Other than "Sing This All Together (see what happens)" which at almost eight minutes goes on a tad too long, the album is a very enjoyable listen in the Rolling Stones catalog, and a couple of songs aren't really psychedelic at all. "2000 Man" and "2000 Light Years From Home" are two of the strongest cuts on the album and "She's A Rainbow", which IS a psychedelic tune and one of the better ones from that era, is another standout.

It isn't so much a case of the Stones doing a spacey album, finding it isn't their bag and moving on, as much as the fact that such music was never a mainstay of most rock groups at that time. And, coming in early 1968, the main initial thrust of psychedelic music was past anyway. A very good recording from the Stones and not deserving of its weak reputation among some reviewers.

Phil Knipe (February 27, 2006)

Well fellas, I was there when this was released, and though it's hardly typical of the Stones, it's certainly typical of the heady, highly experimental music of the period. It sure made an impression on me and my young 'groover' mates at the time! Although I would have to say it's not one of the Stones strongest efforts, overall it has a certain charm, and does feature a handful of fine numbers.
'Citadel' rocks pretty hard, '2000 Light Years From Home' has an effectively eery, spacey sound, and the single 'She's A Rainbow' features a lovely melody and delightful piano (courtesy of Nicky Hopkins?)Personally, I don't think Sgt Pepper sounds all that great nowadays, even though I suppose I'd have to grudgingly admit that it is a stronger effort than 'Majesties'.

Kyle (January 3, 2006)

I own it, and there just trying to cash in on the "psychadelic" era. Its not them, they were not meant to play this music, they were meant to play to hard rock, so I guess complete copy off is a bad saying. But it sucks none the less.

daniel (May 7, 2005)

man i don't care what you say. this is a GOOD ALBUM. the only way it copies sgt. pepper, is in the trippy album cover. thats it. give it a listen and see for yourself.

kyle (May 2, 2005)

complete copy off of sgt.pepper

A vital one-off experience (August 11, 2010)

1967 was the year when psychedelia was at its zenith and several bands released albums bearing its influence. The Rolling Stones came up with Their Satanic Majesties Request which was then and has been misguidedly considered a counterpart to The Beatles' Sgt. Peppers. This is wholly untrue in my opinion and the album doesn't sound anything like the one released by the fab four. It is much more in the vein of, say, Pink Floyd's The Piper at the Gates of Dawn which was also released that year.

As for the music, it bears a dense, textured dark vibe throughout full of exotic sounds and great songs. 2000 Man, She's A Rainbow and 2000 Light Years From Home are all top shelf while Sing This All Together, Citadel and Bill Wyman's In Another Land are definitely inspired. The album though is meant to be enjoyed as a whole as one would with a concept one. The Stones never again would sound like that, and this is one of the reasons why it should be highly regarded by anybody with an open mind. This is actually a treat and arguably the pinnacle of Stones Phase One.

One shouldn't fall into the trap of comparing it too much with anything else as this ultimately owes to the sound of 1967 as a whole lot of other albums do. Just before I go, I totally recommend this latest remastered edition which finally does its grandeur justice. Free your mind from all preconceptions and approach it with joy for this is the Stones entering their prime.

IT'S NOT SARGENT PEPPER UNSIDE DOWN!....GIVE IT A BREAK! (July 14, 2010)

If you really listen to this reissue remastered version ....you will hear the true talents of "Brian Jones" perhaps at his very best and last as well.. Why people continue comparing it to Sargent Pepper is beyond me just cause it came out about the same time? .....you may not like this due to the fact it's not commercial at all! Please give it a fair listen there is some great sounds! It's not pepper upside down!

An artifact, but an interesting one! (May 11, 2010)

I doubt that there would be 54 previous 5-star reviews for this album if, as so many have maintained, it really was the worst one made by the Rolling Stones. And my review makes the number 55. I think TSMR remains one of the most interesting albums in the Stones discography. Lord knows what they thought they were attempting when they made it, but who cares? It's as engaging a piece of psychedelia as any that came out in the 60s and is rivaled only by the first Pink Floyd album for being one of the more sinister tripped-out albums ever produced. There is an edge to everything on this disc, whether it's the reverbed-laden guitar of "Citadel," the deadpan ersatz raga of "Gomper," the free-form antics of "Sing This All Together (See What Happens)" or the cold wastes of "2000 Light Years From Home." Even something as pretty as "She's A Rainbow" has a scrawl of chaos writ large across it towards the end. Some have maintained that it was the Stones' answer to SGT. PEPPER, but I don't believe it for a minute. It's more like an acid trip that has exhilerating highs and devestating lows to it, and it's fascinating no matter how many times I play it.

Underappreciated (May 1, 2010)

First of all Sgt. Pepper has never really blown my mind. Honestly, except for 'A Day in The Life' it's music hall corn and cheery psychedelia all seem pretty disposable and I never felt that it really cohered as an album despite it's peppery bookends. I may be crazy but I actually prefer this strange brew from the Stones. First of all it does what the Beatles forgot to do which is rock and while most people will at least admit to a handful of classic songs on the album they are just as quick to dismiss it as a whole. I admit, 'Sing This One All Together' (part deux) is too long but it actually serves as a nice bridge between songs and while 'In Another Land' is obviously a product of it's late sixties moment I think it's a cool little psychedelic pop nugget from Bill Wyman that turns up and rocks on the Jagger sung chorus. Otherwise, what's not to like about the rest of these songs? Critics like to claim that the Stones were never an album band like the Beatles but to my ear the opposite is true and I don't think that this album is an exception. Even with it's Mick and the boys in wizards hats cover art and title pertaining to lucifer's lunch order it is in my view an overlooked classic. But hey, if you don't like it you can move on to 'Beggar's Banquet' and if you don't like that, well...Ricky Martin might be coming out with a new album before you know it.

Purchase (April 1, 2010)

was exactly as advertised and delivered on time with no damage. The CD sounds good. What more could you ask for?