The Rolling Stones' new album brought Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards closer together.

Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

Sir Mick Jagger and Keith Richards

The pair - who have always had a tumultuous relationship throughout their career spanning five decades - appear to be getting softer with age as Richards, 72, says although the 73-year-old rocker gets on his nerves sometimes, he loves him and they've learnt to "forgive and forget" the past.

Keith said: "I love the man. That doesn't mean I can't get p****d off occasionally, and I have no doubt it goes the other way around. But you have to forgive and forget, and also I would say that 89 percent of the time we're in total agreement. But people only hear about the 11 percent, you know, where it flares up."

Richards said it's amazing he and Jagger are still alive and that the legendary rock group would be "fairly bland" without their fall outs.

He said: "What would the Stones be without it? If you had the perfect machine and everybody in total agreement, you'd probably be fairly bland  ...  It's amazing we're both alive. I celebrate Mick's life. He's always five months older than me!"

The 'Satisfaction' hitmaker was full of praise for his bandmate and thinks their 25th studio album 'Blue & Lonesome' is Jagger's "best record".

He told Rolling Stone magazine: "This is the best record Mick Jagger has ever made.

It was just watching the guy enjoying doing what he really can do better than anybody else. And also, the band ain't too shabby."