What makes Crosseyed Heart by Keith Richards notable?

This album received positive critical reception, with particular praise for its authenticity and Richards' songwriting prowess. It debuted at number 16 on the Billboard 200 chart, marking a successful return for Richards as a solo artist. Notably, it also reinforced his influence within the rock genre, showcasing his ability to craft compelling narratives through music. Crosseyed Heart is Keith Richards' first solo album in over two decades, following his 1992 release Main Offender. At the time, he was primarily known as the Rolling Stones' iconic guitarist, but this album allowed him to explore personal themes and musical styles outside the band's framework. The release marked a significant phase in his career as he reasserted his identity as a solo artist.

Who is Crosseyed Heart for?

Crosseyed Heart works well if you're into raw storytelling with gritty emotion, reflective moments of love and and short tracks for quick engagement.

How many songs are on Crosseyed Heart?

Crosseyed Heart has 15 tracks, running approximately 58 minutes.

Crosseyed Heart

Keith Richards · 2015

58 min · 15 tracks · rhythm and blues

A rootsy blend of blues rock and rhythm and blues that showcases Richards' signature guitar work and gravelly vocals.

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Top tracks — play these first

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Heartstopper — This track features an infectious groove and demonstrates Richards' knack for storytelling, combining raw emotion with a catchy melody.
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Robbed Blind — The song's bluesy undertones reflect Richards' roots while delivering a poignant narrative about loss and betrayal in relationships.
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Blues in the Morning — With its classic blues structure, this track encapsulates the essence of Richards' musical influences and showcases his soulful vocal delivery.

Elevation

Our rating, out of 100 — and why.

AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.

58 /100

Treeline

Higher than 49% of albums we've rated

Richards blends blues rock with personal storytelling, showcasing his guitar work and vocal style effectively.

What we noticed

The album features a consistent use of bluesy guitar riffs that drive most tracks, with Richards' vocals layered prominently over the instrumentation.
Several tracks incorporate a call-and-response structure between the guitar and vocals, creating an engaging dialogue throughout the songs.
The pacing varies, with some tracks maintaining a steady groove while others introduce tempo changes that shift the energy within the album.

Composition 25% of the score: 7/10
Craft 20% of the score: 8/10
Durability 25% of the score: 6/10
Distinctiveness 18% of the score: 7/10
Sequencing 12% of the score: 5/10

Influence 3/10

Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.

Is this for you?

Good fit if you like

raw storytelling with gritty emotion
reflective moments of love and
short tracks for quick engagement
soulful melodies for late nights
easygoing vibe for casual listening

Maybe skip if you

seeking fast-paced excitement
prefer polished production sound

Where this album fits

Career context: Crosseyed Heart is Keith Richards' first solo album in over two decades, following his 1992 release Main Offender. At the time, he was primarily known as the Rolling Stones' iconic guitarist, but this album allowed him to explore personal themes and musical styles outside the band's framework. The release marked a significant phase in his career as he reasserted his identity as a solo artist.
Stylistic neighbors: Mick Jagger· Ronnie Wood· Bob Dylan