Paraphrase without removing the quotes:
Describing any of The Rolling Stones’ releases as “underrated” is not an easy feat, as the band has stood strong for over 50 years, producing one classic hit after another, competing with other legends such as The Beatles. Nonetheless, Keith Richards would be the best person to weigh in on which Stones album requires more appreciation.
Richards has been the ultimate rock and roll survivor throughout the years, overcoming addiction, heartbreak, and even serving time in prison, but he always picked himself up with a guitar in his hands and a cigarette in his mouth. Although not every era of The Stones was joyful, especially in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s, Richards often encountered disagreements with lead singer Mick Jagger, which led to tension in some of their tracks, including “Had It With You”. However, Richards did not talk about the band’s low point until a decade later when they managed to get back on track.
Keith Richards, a member of The Rolling Stones, named their 1997 album “Bridges to Babylon” as one of his underrated works. In an interview with Much Music, he praised the album for being the first in a long time that “pushed some boundaries.” Although it was not as successful as some of their earlier albums, Richards believed that it was an important step for the band. They collaborated with The Dust Brothers on this album, which allowed them to tap into the cultural zeitgeist of the ’90s. While some of the songs, such as ‘Anybody Seen My Baby,’ were decent, others, like ‘Might As Well Get Juiced,’ did not fare well. Despite this, Richards believed that the album’s boundary-pushing was a necessary step for the band, and he wouldn’t change anything about the group’s dynamic at the time.
Richards expressed his admiration for his fellow Stones and their musical expertise, stating, “I never had any issues with them. They are all experts in their craft. My goal is to create a good album, not necessarily a chart-topping hit. If it happens, that’s great, but I’m focused on putting out quality work with my friends, even if they are not initially fond of it.”
The band’s approach during the Bridges to Babylon sessions was more relaxed and spontaneous, resulting in a diverse range of tracks that captured the essence of their creative process. Although the album had its ups and downs, Richards attributed it to the band’s carefree attitude, where they let their inspiration guide them without overthinking the end result. As Richards explained, “You’re not really thinking too much. You’re just doing it, and after you think about it. When you’re doing it, it’s flowing. That’s what counts.”