(20th Nov '09) - Things a bit hectic at the moment, but I *will* return ratings as soon as I can! =:...
(20th Nov '09) - Things a bit hectic at the moment, but I *will* return ratings as soon as I can! =:)
Member since:23.01.2001
Reviews:93
Members who trust:63
The reviews here on Ciao are mercifully free of it, but there's an awful lot of pompous nonsense talked about this album. Pick up many music magazines, and you'll be confronted with something along the lines of "Paul's underlying vitriol toward John is indicated by the counterpointing middle eight, compounded by the recrudescence of atonal harmonics as the opus reaches its denouement" (I just made that up, but you get the idea). I think that, because of its undeniable influence on later works, some people have lost sight of the fact that this is *music*, and meant to be enjoyed. And that's how I'm going to treat it here.
Everyone knows the sleeve design, of course, so I'll not dwell on it too much, but suffice it to say that if you've only got the CD or cassette version, you're doing yourself a disservice (quite apart from the breaks between tracks on CD, which completely ruin many of the carefully-planned transitions between one song and the next). There's such a lot to enjoy here, and it can only really be appreciated (unless you have hawk-like eyesight) on the twelve-inch vinyl LP. Little touches, such as the doll with the Rolling Stones top lying unregarded in a dark corner, the cardboard cutouts inside the sleeve, and the comment: "This is a stereo recording. A splendid time is guaranteed for all" show the care and thought that has gone into it.
SIDE ONE
As I said, though, I prefer to concentrate on the songs themselves. And what a start to the album. The initial "tuning session" creates the impression of a live concert, which is ironic considering that Sgt Pepper was one of the first "pure studio" records. Then Paul, with his tremendous rock'n'roll
voice, launches into "It was 20 years ago today", and we're off. A fantastic first song, with a really strong beat and a memorable melody, which gives great encouragement to the listener about the quality of the rest of the tracks. The "Billy Shears" conceit is rather odd - it doesn't really seem necessary - but it serves its purpose, that of getting us into the meat of the record.
A Little Help From My Friends isn't one of my favourites, to be honest. It's not at all bad, but it just feels a tiny bit too... ordinary. With many Beatles songs, there's a feeling that no-one else could have achieved such an effect: A Little Help isn't one of them. I know I'm in a smallish minority here, but I can't help but feel this way.
As for the following track, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, - of *course* it's not about drugs... I mean, *anyone* could come up with tangerine trees and newspaper taxis... still, this is yet another Beatles masterpiece. The intro, the bridge, the lyrics - everything is just right, and the chorus is belted out almost at a yell, which is as it should be.
Getting Better is a song that's grown on me. I used to find it rather tedious, and to skip this track (for all you young whippersnappers, on a "proper" record that means lifting up the arm and nudging it about an inch before gently easing it back onto the record's surface). As I've grown up, though, I've started to realise the raw emotions that go into it, and now it's one of my favourites. I do wish it wasn't used for that blasted Philips TV ad, though.
Fixing a Hole, I think, is hugely underrated. It is (along with Lovely Rita) the Pepper song I most often find myself whistling. It has the ability to lift your mood instantly ("it doesn't really matter if I'm wrong I'm right"), without you quite knowing why - it goes straight to your bones.
As, for very different reasons, does She's Leaving Home. What can be said about this beautiful and intensely moving ballad that hasn't been said a thousand times already? Perfect in every way, this is one of the best songs ever written - packed from start to finish with an almost unbelievable poignancy ("fun is the one thing that money can't buy").
Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! is a great, light-hearted way to end Side One. A very high-risk idea, to turn a Victorian-style billpost into a pop song, comes off absolutely brilliantly, especially the interlude two-thirds of the way through where Henry the Horse treats us to his dance act. And yes, a splendid time will be had by all.
SIDE TWO
George Harrison's "Within You Without You" is a song that splits Beatles fans right down the middle. One group say it's a fascinating experiment with Eastern rhythm and melody that forces you to think deeply; the second group find it a tedious waste of time. I'm afraid I'm in the latter category: as far as I'm concerned, the Beatles are best when they're bashing out strong beats and tuneful melodies; endless sitar wailing is not what I want from them.
Still, if you've managed to sit through it (or, indeed, to skip it), then you'll get your reward. "When I'm Sixty-Four" is one of those all-pervading songs that has, rather like Yesterday (though to a lesser extent) broken free of its association with the Beatles and become a standard. And it's not surprising: it's probably the nearest thing to "easy listening" on the record. It does get a little acid towards the end ("yours sincerely, wasting away"), but for the most part it's a jolly, good-natured tune.
Lovely Rita is probably my favourite Beatles song of all time (just shading In My Life). I can't imagine why it's not one of the really popular ones. A fantastically catchy, bouncy song, it trips along with a spring in its step, without a care in the world. This is the track to play if you want to get a smile on your face. The honky-tonk piano interlude is utterly brilliant - simple as that. Shame about the "voice-music" at the end, though - it doesn't really work, and Ringo's injunction to "leave it" is very welcome.
Good Morning, Good Morning is, on the face of it, similar - another really singable, uptempo number - but in fact it's considerably darker, with even a trace of menace in the line "and you're on your own you're in the street". This is a song I've never really been able to get to grips with, to be honest - I just can't work out what the underlying meaning is. Still, it's a good listen, even so. (Pop Trivia No. 92613 - the reference to "time for tea and meet the wife" in fact refers to "Meet the Wife", a shortlived 1960s sitcom.)
Then, we have the Reprise of the title track. The guitar intro and Paul's rock vocal seem even better this time around, with the "ayeee" fitting in beautifully to the drum/guitar intro. The way in which the track is rounded off is also absolutely right, and points up the imminent complete change of mood...
...to A Day in the Life. This is the song many people consider the greatest Beatles number ever. I'm not sure about that - my vote for their greatest (as opposed to my favourites, which I mentioned earlier) would be a tie between She's Leaving Home and Here, There and Everywhere - but it's undeniably a super piece of music. Two pieces, really - the track is constructed from two separate half-songs superglued together, and the jarring change from one section to another really makes you sit up and take notice. The track ends with a crescendo of noise that builds and builds, until the final piano chord echoes away, and the album comes to a fitting close.
Or does it? In fact, there is one more surprise to come - a short passage where the same few words are repeated over and over again. Why this is, and what they mean, Fab Four fanatics have speculated about endlessly, and that's not something I'm going to do here, but this early employment of sampling is both fascinating and unexpected - which sums up this extraordinary record rather well.
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Excellent opinion on a fantastic album, although I prefer Rubber Soul. I enjoyed reading this from start to finish. Cheers, Davie.
LICARUS 08.02.2001 02:35
This has got to be one of my all time favourite albums, even though not a particulaly great fan of the beatles. An excellant op on and excellant album
clanmac4 03.02.2001 22:28
Sensational indeed, a great album that I have on original vinyl!!! Have lost the sleeves though. Great opinion - nice first para. Did you ever catch William Shatners rendition of "Lucy in the S..." absolute mince!
Regards Dave
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Feb 2nd, 2001
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