The Rolling Stones – Metamorphosis Review

There are too many stories of artists fighting labels. Neil Young and Geffen Records, Paul McCartney in the wake of The Beatles’ break-up. Even Pulp had their trouble with Fire Records once they headlined Glastonbury Festival. That second example is partly due to The Rolling Stones, who were on the frontlines, pushing back against the ongoing trouble caused by Allen Klein and ABKCO Records. Material from the Decca days was being pumped out frequently, often without the knowledge or want of the band. Such is the case for Metamorphosis. Partly authorised by Bill Wyman, who had taken to compiling unpublished efforts and outtakes from The Rolling Stones’ discography, Metamorphosis is an awkward release of live tracks, unfinished materials, and feels more like a document aiming to ride the coattails of the Mick Jagger-fronted group’s success overseas. We can knock Klein and ABKCO Records, but we cannot disregard the quality within Metamorphosis.  

You cannot argue with a string-heavy Out of Time. Metamorphosis opens with a wildly different version of the Aftermath track, though not a better one. Very catchy nonetheless, even if it does not match the quality of the blues rock original. Those string sections bring about a Phil Spector-like wall of sound, something McCartney had been left furious with when Let It Be was released. Here, as is the case for The Long and Winding Road, it adds an extra depth which is unnecessary, yet fitting. Demoes and cut songs prove to be the real meat of this compilation, though. Don’t Lie to Me has the direct route Jagger would often take as a lyricist, amplified by the Charlie Watts and Keith Richards instrumental additions. A bit of keyboard skill is heard too, but it is the roaring blues guitar which brings Don’t Lie to Me to life. It marks a change from most compilations of unreleased pieces, which are of interest to the deeply invested fan, not the passing listener.  

Metamorphosis still has moments catering more to the listener desperate to hear everything from the band, rather than those who want the moments of worth. Something’s Just Sick in Your Mind is relatively tame, an unobstructive, jangling piece with monotone delivery. You can tell which song was scrapped because the band’s hearts were not in it, and which were additions of Klein and the gang, looking to hook listeners in with alternate versions of classic songs from The Rolling Stones. Heart of Stone feels like a familiar track, a moody love track with the essentials of a fawning Jagger, a cool Richards, and a steady rhythm from the rest of the band coming to a head. All of this mixes well. One of many Metamorphosis songs which can survive out there, breaching the Klein containment.  

Nothing mesmerising beyond the opening song and Don’t Lie to Me, but then, it did not have to be. For many fans of The Rolling Stones, there will always be the archives to dip into of their favourite period. Bootlegs, compilations, and even the alternate tracks featured on official releases from the band offer a new side to the band. Metamorphosis is certainly not short of quality. It features some fascinating deep cuts and tracks which, for one reason or another, were not featured by the band. A shame, too, as many of the songs which make their way onto Metamorphosis are of a quality expected of the group during the 1960s. Like him or not, Klein was right to purge the archives and release what he could from the Decca days. Much of the material here is worth at least a few listens.