I'm desperately thinking of op's to write but my noggin feels like it's going to explode.
I'm desperately thinking of op's to write but my noggin feels like it's going to explode.
Member since:02.08.2001
Reviews:39
Members who trust:3
The Beatles. The biggest band of all time? Certainly. The greatest? Probably not (I think that honour falls upon Led Zeppelin). They did revolutionize music, though. And not once, but twice in their career. This album mark's the second coming of the band.
Forget Sgt. Pepper's. Revolver is without a shadow of a doubt the best Beatles album of all. Following on from the first signs of subversiveness that were evident on their previous effort (Rubber Soul), Revolver saw their creativity and experimentation reach an all-time high. We should all thank Bob Dylan for handing them that fateful joint and forever changing music as we know it. This album was made through a hazy cloud of Marijuana fumes as the Beatles decided to go psychedelic a year before the rest of the world. This album also saw George Harrison emerge from the shadows of Lennon and McCartney to establish himself as an extremely talented singer songwriter to complement the other two.
The album
begins with the first of Harrisons three ditties, 'Taxman'. This, in my opinion is the greatest song he has ever done with his sharp punchy guitar and satirical take on the figures of British politics. It's also got some damn fine solos, as well, which illustrates Harrisons often overlooked skills as a lead guitarist. This song was a direct inspiration for Paul Weller when he recorded the song 'Start'. Incidently, George Harrison cites that as his favourite song by The Jam.
Following this comes one of the alltime classic Beatles tunes, 'Eleanor Rigby'. The good thing about this song is the use of a string section which enfuse the track with bucketfuls of melancholic atmosphere. McCartneys lyrics are on top form too.
The next song is a Lennon penned track, 'I'm only sleeping'. A gentle yearning track which is a subtle indication for the experimentation to follow later in the album, with it's slow swing beat and strange distorted noises.
After this comes the second of Harrison's efforts, 'Love you to'. This is much more standard Beatles fare with a catchy tune and simple uncluttered lyrics.
The next song is probably their greatest ballad, 'Here, There And Everywhere'. This is one of my alltime favourite songs with John Lennon's voice sounding so fragile with emotion you're left wondering whether it'll make it to the end of the track. Thankfully for us, it does.
The one song I absolutely detest on this is Yellow Submarine. You've all heard it, so you can make your own conclusions on that one.
Thankfully they return to form with Lennons, 'She Said, She Said'. An Indian tinged song which sounds greats and contains early evidence of the growing inspiration of Eastern mysticism in their songs.
'Good Day Sunshine' is your standard Beatles pop fare and possibly the most overwhelmingly chirpy song until the tweenies released a record.
'And Your Bird Can Sing' is another cracker with it's catchy hook and great lyrics and Lennon's chipper vocals. You can almost imagine his smile as he sings, it's easy if you try.
'For No One' is another great ballad which just underlines the sheer quality fo this phenomenal album.
'Doctor Robert' is another of my favourite Beatles songs. It's got great lyrics, a catchy chorus and Lennon and McCartneys' voices are both in fine fettle.
The third effort by Harrison is 'I Want To Tell You'. This is yet further evience of his emergence from the shadows with another quality tune that couldn't have come from any other band.
'Got To Get You Into My Life' Is another fine variation of the Beatles pop song, this time backed up with the aid of a brass section.
The album closes with 'Tomorrow Never Knows', a sprawling classic played on one Chord ('C', fact fans) with Lennon strumming away in earnest with a multitude of other sounds layered on top for a hypnotic effect. This song is probably the original blueprint for psychedelia and shows how far on the cutting edge these four scousers were.
This is one of my five favourite albums of all time and I would recommend it to anyone who likes music.
What? You want to know what my top 5 are?
OK in no specific order of merit :-
The Beatles - Revolver (obviously) The Clash - London's Calling (Their best moment) Weezer - Pinkerton (superlative) The Manic Street Preachers - The Holy Bible (fury set to music) Led Zeppelin - Led Zeppelin II (The ultimate rock album)
I'll be reviewing them all soon, so if your interested please read them, any feedback will be greatly appreciated.
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Pretty Good op. Though I always thought Paul sung Here There and Everywhere.
Not their best work, but one of their most important as a band as you can hear quite literally that this is the album that the drugs kicked in, err, I mean their creative genious took a giant step forward.
Jonny_Narcissus 08.11.2002 16:05
Spot on with the best Beatles album (& best Clash for that point).
One slight quibble, I think Paul McCartney sang "Here, There, Everywhere" as he wrote it in the days before he disappeared up his own arse to sing songs about Scottish islands & frogs!!
JeanetteMuff 12.06.2002 03:49
Well described - a great album by my all-time favourite group. But isn't 'Here, There & Everywhere' sung by Paul? All the best! Jeanette
There are only three stories worth knowing from the last 2,000 years of history: the life ... more
of Mohammed, the life of Jesus and the career of The Beatles. They invented all music ever. John was the best one; but Paul is--despite the knighthood and everyth...
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There are only three stories worth knowing from the last 2,000 years of history: the life ... more
of Mohammed, the life of Jesus and the career of The Beatles. They invented all music ever. John was the best one; but Paul is--despite the knighthood and everyth...
Postage & Packaging: £1.21 Availability: Usually dispatched within 1-2 business days...
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