In recent years, Mick Jagger has spent so much time parodying himself that it's been easy to forget what a powerful singer and intriguing songwriter he can be. 'Goddess In The Doorway' is a reminder. It's also an energetic, intelligent and fairly modern rock album - not exactly cutting-edge, but not entirely anachronistic either.
Bono's presence as co-vocalist on 'Joy' isn't the only thing that calls U2 to mind. Like that band at its best, Jagger manages to be dramatic without being pompous. With the exception of 'Dancing In The Starlight', on which he sometimes sounds like he's imitating Axl Rose, Jagger resists the temptation to ham it up. He sounds unusually vulnerable and sincere, adding plausibility to the rumours that the many of the lyrics on this album concern his much-publicised break-up with Jerry Hall.
The gossip hounds took particular interest in 'Gun', a semi-metal rocker with bitter you-broke-my-heart sentiments certainly fit the bill. 'Don't Call Me Up', which explicitly concerns being unable to forget a high-profile ex-partner, seems even more likely to address Jagger's recent domestic difficulties.
Actually, though, the most curious words here relate to religion. 'God Gave Me Everything', a fiercely upbeat collaboration with Lenny Kravitz, seems like a serious hymn of praise to the Lord. 'Joy' tells the story of a face-to-face meeting with a friendly Jesus Christ, during which "He smiled and shrugged his shoulders/And lit a cigarette".
Is that what's meant by "seeing the light", and has Mick finally lost his sympathy for the devil? Whatever, he certainly hasn't lost the ability to make highly entertaining records.
