I've had a few listens. Not sure if I agree with Jann Wenner's claim. But my initial impression is that it's good. Really good. A bunch of songs I like, one or two that are mediocre. It's a good ride all the way through. Well produced with a polish, unlike Wandering Spirit, which was also well produced, but with a rawer sound. This is not a Stones record and I don't think it's trying to be. It's definitely a sound that comes from a man who has lived a privileged life of wealth and taste (sorry for the cliché). Very confident, relaxed, yet upbeat and mature. It's mature, in much the same way as Leonard Cohen's "The Future", but a totally different record in terms of what it's trying to do. I can understand the early criticism that it's too "radio friendly" but I don't think that's fair. Jagger's voice is good, if not better, than ever. It's masterful, and fun. Musically, it's a mix of good stuff. It's got a good rhythm too (no surprise here). Keith Richards probably likes the record, but wouldn't want it as a Stones album. The record has a few jams on it. It's all very rich and is pulling me in pretty quickly. My hunch is that it will have much commercial appeal, although it probably won't draw in most of the blue collar Stones crowd for lack of raunch. If you're a Jagger or Stones fan, it's a must have. I've been one forever and never knew a world without Mick and The Rolling Stones. But in my attempt to be an objective music enthusiast, this is a great record in many ways. You can do a lot with it, as one would naturally expect from Mick. [...]

I would rate this CD 3.5 stars if I was able to.

To me, God Gave Me Everything is one of the most amazing songs Mick has ever sung or recorded. Probably on par with stuff like Mixed Emotions, Miss You, and Start Me Up for more contepmorary Rolling Stones references. This songs absolutely rocks out! I love it!!

Dancing in the Starlight is a good mid tempo rock ballad (hey, c'mon it is the best description I can give).

Visions of Paradise is a great album opener. Good piano based ballad. Seems that Mick is looking for love and can be hurt too? Is he showing some vunerability in his old age? :) Certainly different from the Mick of the Under My Thumb, or even Some Girls to Start Me Up era.

Joy- It has Bono (one of my faves, gotta love U2) and Pete Townsend. Good gospel track.

Hide Away- Kind of sounds like and urban/Irish folk song. A bit like rap. Not really my thing. Sweet Thing was a better example of Mick's r&b side. In fact, Sweet Thing would have fit much better here.

Don't Call Me Up- To me, a weaker version of Visions of Paradise. Nicely sung, but kinda like "ok, now we have to do a ballad for the album (or cd as the case may be).

Goddess In The Doorway- Much like Continental Drift from the Rolling Stones 1989 release Stee Wheels. Great song. Good melding of Indian mysticism and western rock/pop.

Lucky Day- Sounds a bit too much like the Santana/Rob Thomas collaboration off of the formers 1999 release. That is funny, as Rob is actually on Visions of Paradise. Feels like we have been here before, but it feels like Mick has conveyed this better in other songs. Harmonica sounds like off of 1994's "Love Is Strong", but not as blatant.

Everbody Getting High- Techno experiment. Sounds like a lost track from Bridges to Babylon. Ok, but again we have been here before.

Gun- Hendrix like intro. More techno experimentation. Could've been cut or relegated to b side status.

Too Far Gone- Mick reflecting on past times, without looking through "rose colored glasses". Times have changed, and he realizes this. Good guitar, and it feels like a rocking ballad.
His updated answer to Time is On My Side. Turns out it isn't on anyone's side.

Brand New Set of Rules- Mick is vowing to live life differently from the way he used to. Mick settling down? Guess it had to happen eventually. Kind of brings the whole album full circle.

This is a good cd. Make no mistake. Feels a lot more genuine than other releases, as someone else already stated in their review. Mick has matured. Some of the techno stuff doesn't seem to cut it on his cd's as well as more straight ahead rock and roll. To me, this cuts across all of his cd's. To bad this, along with Paul McCartney's "Driving Rain" and Elton John's "Songs From The West Coast" didn't chart or sell very well. They all may not be making "the best albums they ever made", but sometimes a good cd is better from them than many of today's artists' "best" works.

First let me ask the first 2 reviewers which album they were listening to? With comments like "Same structure, lyrics followed by chorus, followed by more lyrics"- hello? This is called a song. Unless your listening to the Airplane's "White Rabbit" nealy all pop, rock, etc. songs have bars of lyrics followed by a chorus, especially the Stones' songs! Geez, put on "Start Me Up" as a reminder. With all the garbage (Chili Peppers, Limp Bizkit) and overrated (U2, Nelly Furtado) polluting the airwaves, we should welcome quality music, not knock it because its trendy to knock the Stones/Jagger's age.
Secondly, let me say that this will probably be the most underrated album of the decade and be looked back on as a truly great release. All the songs are different, with great lyrics. Visions of Paradise, Don't Call Me Up, and Too Far Gone are high quality, catchy tunes. The album definitely has a contemporary feel, but not in a "keeping up with the times" way at all- think Macy Gray's first album, but with more than 2 memorable songs. Also, check out the import single which has a non-album cut on it called, "Blue" which is great. Mick Rules! Especially on this album!

I think it is a peculiar truth that almost no one would claim that Jagger has a good voice, though many would argue that he is one of rock's greatest vocalists. This particular album seems to celebrate this odd paradox.

Jagger may have tried a little too hard to cover a number of genres here...but so what. This is an edgy and modern sounding instant classic from one of the most important and influencial rockers of all time.

One shudders to think how cool this disc might have been with Richards tempering Jagger's more eccentric moves.

This is, however, an excellent disc.

People often make the mistake of grouping all 3 of Mick's previous solo albums into one group, when in fact the mediocre "She's The Boss" and "Primitive Cool" were far surpassed by 1993's "Wandering Spirit", which offered several great songs. "Goddess In The Doorway" offers very few songs that can compete with the likes of "Don't Tear Me Up" or "Out Of Focus", in my opinion, but the album is solid throughout (perhaps moreso than "Spirit"). "Hide Away", "Visions Of Paradise", "God Gave Me Everything", and "Too Far Gone" are among the best, but there are no clear standouts on an album that has many good songs. As would be expected, Mick goes in several different directions, with the only constants being that distinctive voice and the mark of quality that has followed it for much of the past 40 years.