Rubber Soul - Beatles (The) > Reviews > Plastic Soul

Author's product rating:   

Originality	Definitely a cut above the rest
Lyrics	Sublime
Quality and consistency of tracks	A couple of weak links
How does it compare to the artist's other releases	Good
Value for Money

Advantages:	It's The Beatles, of course
Disadvantages:	Will always suffer from being compared to Revolver

Recommend to potential buyers:

yes

Full review

At the conclusion of a demo version of I'm Down on the Beatles Anthology 2, Paul McCartney is heard to exclaim "Plastic soul, man, plastic soul!" I would like to think that the title to Rubber Soul was born there, but I can't say that for certain. One thing I do know for certain is that Rubber Soul was the precursor to the Beatles' greatest achievement, Revolver. Rubber Soul, although not quite as grand and groundbreaking as Revolver, is still a great album in its own right.

A list of the tracks and my interpretation of each follows.

1. Drive My Car--A flat out rocker. A driving piano, played by Paul McCartney, and identical lead guitar and bass riffs, accompanied by some smart drumming by Ringo Starr, provide the rhythmic basis for this song. Paul sings it, ably assisted by John Lennon on low harmony. I saw Paul McCartney open his concert in Memphis, Tennessee, during his 1993 tour, with this tune, and believe me, the song has lost nothing over the years.

2. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)--This is an acoustic number featuring John Lennon on lead vocals. I think the song is about a one-night stand and the singer was somewhat frustrated because he "crawled off to sleep in the bath". When he awoke he was alone because "this bird had flown", "bird" being English slang for a girl. In the end before leaving he lights a fire--could he be setting fire to her flat? I don't know, but I don't think that the lyrics are as tame as they might appear at first blush.

3. You Won't See Me--This song features Paul McCartney on lead vocals and piano, and Beatle pal Mal Evans on Hammond organ. The tune features some outstanding background vocals by John Lennon and George Harrison, and it could be said that the Beatles came of age as vocalists on Rubber Soul. The song has a typical Paul MCartney pop feel to it, and it's really an upbeat, bright number in spite of the fact that the singer is frustrated by a failed love affair.

4. Nowhere Man--A somewhat introspective John Lennon song. John was famous for his insecurities and this is just another fine example of his almost pessimistic view of himself. Musically, the harmonies are gorgeous, and the acapella introduction may well have provided the model for later groups such as Queen. George Harrison's guitar solo positively glitters, and the harmonic he hits at the end of his solo is just the right adornment. Paul's rambling, melodic bass line and Ringo's solid drum foundation make this one a true Beatles classic.

5. Think For Yourself--This is a George Harrison composition. During the Rubber Soul sessions, the Beatles experimented with the fuzz bass effect, and they use it here to full advantage, with Paul McCartney doing the honors. Lyrically, this song is just another step in the development of George Harrison as a songwriter--it's not outstanding, but it hints of future accomplishments like Taxman and Something.

6. The Word--Paul McCartney again plays piano on this one, accompanied by George Martin on the harmonium. John Lennon sings the lead vocals, with some fine harmonies contributed by Paul McCartney and George Harrison. Just what "The Word" is I don't know--it could be "love" or "good". At any rate, the song has a somewhat bluesy feel to it, and it gives us a little insight into another, slightly different style of music that this band could play.

7. Michelle--Next to Yesterday, this is probably Paul's most famous composition. A supple acoustic guitar is the instrumental centerpiece of this song. It's really a melancholy love song which is sung partly in French, and Paul does a fine job on the lead vocals. A very tasteful French horn solo provides an instrumental change of pace.

8. What Goes On--Ringo sings this one, and had a hand in writing it, also. This is probably the Beatles' last tip of the hat to their idol, Carl Perkins, and it's delivered in true rockabilly style. Ringo's vocal delivery is typical; unassuming, straight-ahead, and simple.

9. Girl--A John Lennon song decrying the fickle nature of women (No, wait, I didn't say they were fickle!) His opening line, "Is there anybody going to listen to my story....?", indicate his need to share his torment with somebody. His sighs during the choruses make his message all that more urgent. The background voices in the bridge are somehow cutting and seem to be mocking the singer. The Italian-sounding guitar during the tune adds a nice effect to the overall picture.

10. I'm Looking Through You--Another piece of fluffy Paul McCartney pop-- my least favorite song on the album. The cheesy-sounding Hammond organ part, played by Ringo Starr, adds to the bubble-gum feel of this tune. I guess they had to put this song somewhere; thank goodness it didn't end up on Revolver.

11. In My Life--A beautifully understated guitar hook opens this most gorgeous of Beatle tunes. It evokes strong feeling of nostalgia, simply because of the lyrics and the message they impart. John and Paul do a fine duet, and George Martin's Victorian-sounding piano part completes the effect.

12. Wait--This is a perfect example of a song truly co-written by John Lennon and Paul McCartney. It has two distinct parts (see We Can Work It Out) which is typical of a song which was spliced from two ideas. The vocal work is outstanding, and the tambourine provides just the right percussive touch.

13. If I Needed Someone--Another George Harrison composition, with a cute little guitar hook that only this talented guitarist could create. Paul's rambling bass line compliments the hook, and George performs adequately on lead vocals. This, in my opinion, was George's best composition prior to Revolver.

14. Run For Your Life--John Lennon literally bawls his girlfriend out in this one, but it's really more than that.--it's downright vicious ("I'd rather see you dead.." and "You know that I'm a wicked guy and I was born with a jealous mind"). It's probably one of his most self-revealing songs, but you'd never know it unless you listened closely. Musically, an acoustic guitar pushes the song, aided by an electric guitar lick that's every bit as caustic as the lyrics.

With the release of Rubber Soul in 1965, the Beatles set the stage perfectly for their next album, Revolver, which I believe to be their finest work. Rubber Soul is not as good as Revolver, but it's still a great album.