A year or a week from now, you will look back at Superheavy and wonder what the fuck was that? Jagger's multi-generational, pan-cultural, supergroup sometimes mashes up styles, and sometimes let's Jagger float, and sometimes works, but usually tries very hard to breath life into a buncha songs that shouldna been left in their notebook.
Critics think it's good because it is a stretch -though, cmon, Jagger sang with Peter Tosh on SNL, not much of a stretch, and because it is different and because, admittedly, Jagger is in good voice.
And they think it is good because it is a sort of supergroup though not really. Only AR Rahman deserves the monicker superstar and it ain't in rock either. All the Marley kids pale in comparison and Damian ain't all that, Joss Stone is an intense irritation, Dave Stewart is the Mike Mogis of the band and exists behind the scenes. And while Jagger may speak to a group experience it is his show.
From "Never Gonna Change", (recorded twice) which shoulda been on the "Alfie" soundtrack thru Stones soundalike "Energy" thru his bizarre turn but vocal highlight "One day, One Night" Jagger is the boss.
Those are the best moments but really "Superheavy" and "Miracle Worker" -reggae and rock mash ups are the albums bread and butter and they are indifferent. As for Rahman's "Satyameva Jayathe" manages an Atlantic crossing of sort and is indeed a fir enough mash of three styles.
It isn't that anything is particularly bad here, it is just not much is very good.
Still, Jagger's in great voice.
grade: B