"Time" described the Stones as "England's most subversive roisterers since Fagin's gang in "Oliver Twist"" and added: "In keeping with a widespread mood in the pop world, "Beggars Banquet" turns back to the raw vitality of Negro R&B and the authentic simplicity of country music." Jann Wenner of "Rolling Stone" considered that the band's regeneration marked the return of rock'n'roll, while the "Chicago Sun-Times" declared: "The Stones have unleashed their rawest, rudest, most arrogant, most savage record yet. And it's beautiful."