Cosmic America

After an 18 month hiatus, the Rolling Stones returned to the global spotlight in 1971 with Sticky Fingers, the album that many critics and fans consider their very best. And it's hard to argue with perspective. Sticky Fingers is chock full of incredible musical moments and ideas, watching the band cover familiar territory with new approaches while also extending their approach to incorporate new shades of blues, country, and rock and roll.Sticky Fingers was a key album for Stones mythology as well, as much of what had made up the band in the decade prior was changing. Mick Taylor had now completely integrated with their musical sound, studio sidemen like Nicky Hopkins were now integral pieces of their presentation, and Mick Jagger was starting to pursue his musical ideas more independently from Keith Richards at times. And the legend of the Rolling Stones had now fully matched the marketing --- after years of living in the shadow of The Beatles, the Stones were alone in the spotlight. They attacked the oppor