Of the 3 mid-seventies "hit and miss" Stones releases(Goats Head Soup and Black and Blue being the other two), It's Only Rock 'N Roll is head and shoulders above the others in terms of consistency and overall song quality. While it's no comparison to their classic run(68-72), the album holds up well, I feel, even listening to today; unfortunately, it turned out to be Mick Taylor's final album cut with the band. If You Can't Rock Me starts things off right with a snare hit and kick drum from Charlie Watts, Keith Richard's surefire guitar riff and  Mick Taylor's prodigious, fretboard playing culminating in a rock song that has a bit of a funk flavor, helped by Billy Preston's clavinet and the percussion seasonings of Ray Cooper. They cover the Temptations' Ain't Too Proud to Beg, with a raggedy swagger, and it was released as a single, peaking a few notches below the Temptations' original version at number 17 on the charts. Of course, the title track turned out to be a catalyst in bringing Ronnie Wood into the equation of filling Mick Taylor's shoes once Woody's charter band, the Faces had collapsed around the parallel and much more successful solo career of their singer Rod Stewart. It's a cool tune, despite the fact that its origins have nothing to do with the involvement of Keith or Charlie; written by Jagger and Wood, it provided the Stones with a number 16 chart placing and ensured interest among the casual and faithful fans alike. 

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Till the Next Goodbye begins with an acoustic guitar, strumming a cool rhythm accompanied by piano, the number settles into a styled, melodic ballad  with a slight country feel; its a bit meandering though and lightweight in its delivery. Time Waits for No One is somewhat of a period piece and is ultimately a showcase for Mick Taylor as it shows off his distinctive guitar tone and sense of virtuosity; definitely a defining moment realized within a thoroughly original number. Luxury has a rock/reggae flavor that actually comes off pretty well and features some nice slide guitar bits from Taylor in there, driven by the "human riff" of Richards. Dance Little Sister is an old-fashioned Chuck Berry styled rocker as only the Stones could do so well, and succeeds on these terms duly.

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If You Really Want to Be My Friend is the other ballad-like number, although its composition is more of a soul influence that features the backing vocals of Blue Magic, a likewise, soul band from Philadelphia. It's not a bad song, but like "Goodbye" before it, the overall impact lacks a distinctive hook that belies a definitive appeal. Short and Curlies is essentially filler on the record and its impression leaves a tongue in cheek reaction. Closing with Fingerprint File, a paranoid rock/funk number, the Stones tackle another style of music in their own way. Written by Jagger, "File" is noted for Mick and Keith sharing guitar duties and Keith also plays the funky bass line that dominates the substance of the track. The lyrics feature Mick in an animated vocal style as its subject matter is of a paranoid person whom thinks that the F.B.I. is out to get him. This song is significant as it would point towards the musical direction of their next album in 1976's Black and Blue release, where the sense of the "jamming" aspect in the material is the main focus. 

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As stated in the beginning of the review, I like It's Only Rock and Roll far better than the previous Goats Head Soup and proceeding Black and Blue release, as I feel the material is consistent and the album contains a natural flow upon listening. It's not in the same league as the albums from 1968-1972, but it's certainly a decent showing from a band that were in a transitional, middle phase of their career. 

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Rating Grade- B-