 "An Excellent, Diverse, Power Pop Album" | 2008-08-05 |
| - Reviewed By rock777 |
Easily one of the Beatles best albums! Diverse songwriting styles are showcased with each song seemingly having a different style yet they blend perfectly with each other. Of course in charge of the production was George Martin as always. It's amazing how much ground this album covers given the fact that none of the fourteen songs featured actually lasts more than three minutes and a half!!
By the time this album was released in 1966 the band's sound had evolved a lot indeed. Especially when you think that their debut collection was released just three years earlier!
Let's start with guitarist John Lennon who sings five songs here. The first is "I'm Only Sleeping" with a simple band sound of drums, bass, and a lone dominating acoustic guitar is one of the album's best cuts. But, for me, the highlight comes in the middle when Harrison come in with his awesome backward guitar solo overdub! Next comes "She Said She Said" with it's lyrics based on an LSD trip is pure power pop with it's loud, bright sounding rhythm guitar and cool lead guitar work thoughtout too! You could say this is early hard rock at it's finest! After that we go into "And Your Bird Can Sing" with a stunning melodic lead guitar intro by Harrison, great vocals and rhythm guitar from Lennon, and memorable bass from McCartney combine to create another power pop classic!
In "Doctor Robert" a straightforword rock style is showcased with distorted guitars that is nothing short of excellent. In the middle an organ comes in for a nice change. Listen carefully at the end for that awesome arpeggiated, bright-sounding, distorted guitar!! Too bad it fades so quickly!! Now it's on to, by far, the most avant-garde inspired song on the album "Tomorrow Never Knows" that utilizes strange sound effects, a backward guitar solo and a tape loop producing what sounds like a seagull while Ringo keeps it all together with his steady drumming. On top of that Lennon sings some apparently drug inspired lyrics. Very innovative experiment to say the least!
Let's move on to bass player Paul McCartney who also gets to sing in five songs. "Eleanor Rigby" is a stunning two minute neo-classical piece with psychedelic lyrics but it's the great string arrangement by George Martin that really steals the show here! Now it's on to "Here, There, And Everywhere". This got to be one of the band's best love ballads ever! Paul lead vocals harmonize perfectly with the background vocals throughout the song's haunting melodies.
A nice change of style comes up in "Good Day Sunshine" with it's prominent grand piano but it's already time for another sharp turn and we find "For No One". Nice chord progression played on harpsichord, and after a haunting chorus a really cool trumpet solo comes in. The last one is the seemingly Motown inspired "Got To Get You Into My Life" with a memorable vocal by Paul but the most important thing here got to be it's unforgettable brass arrangement!! Without this the song's impact would have been greatly diminshed!
George Harrison contribued three drastically different songs. "Taxman", the album's opener, is an awesome rocker that's made even better by it's aggressive guitar solo in mixolydian! "Love You To" is by far the most ambitious in wich he trades the guitar in favor of the sitar. The result is mesmerizing fusion of Indian and rock music. Note the distorted guitar that comes in for the chorus. Finally "I Want To Tell You" is surpirsingly pop sounding after the more ambitious previous song. It starts with a cool riff. No matter how poppy it may sound there's still room to experiment. This time it comes in that slightly dissonant chord used throughtout.
Drummer Ringo Starr got only got one song to sing: "Yellow Submarine". Probably one of the most popular of this album that later was included in the movie of the same name.
So there you have it! An essential album for the rock fan to say the least!! |
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| "A Rock & Roll Masterpiece" | 2008-07-30 |
| - Reviewed By User: A179FKI3ZM13UM |
What happens when you get four guys from Liverpool, songs like "Taxman", "I'm Only Sleeping" and "Tomorrow Never Knows" and throw in some LSD here and there? You get a rock & roll classic my friend. Revolver was released when rock music was wedged between Folk and Psychedelia, so it should sound way ahead of its time. Does the album stand for the test of time? Read on for my review!
From the opening pronto-punk riff of Taxman to the childish nature of Yellow Submarine to the Syd Barret era-Pink Floyd of Tomorrow Never Knows, this album, like I said before, was ahead of its time. Not one song of this album is filler, even Yellow Submarine doesn't get old! George Harrison shines on this album from the bitterness of Taxman to the spiritual Love You To to the difficulty of expressing himself on I Want To Tell You. Paul McCartney also does a superb job with songs like Here There and Everywhere (inspired by "God Only Knows"), the devil may care attitude of Good Day Sunshine to the bitter For Know One and praising pot, that's right POT on Got To Get You Into My Life. Ringo's voice fits Yellow Submarine perfectly and his drumming is fantastic! He keeps it simple yet does a drum fill nice suitable to the songs he's playing. A very UNDERRATED drummer in rock. And who could forget the man himself... John Lennon. His song writing is without a doubt spectacular! Every song that he wrote here is amazing! Seriously, I'm Only Sleeping, She Said She Said, And Your Bird Can Sing, Doctor Robert, and of course, Tomorrow Never Knows. So what are you waiting for? Got out and buy this rock centerpiece. No classic rock fan should be without this album! |
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 "Another adventure with the fab four!" | 2008-07-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2FYDHK6SIMP3K |
What do I love about this album? The opening coughs and the countout "one, two, three, four, one, two" - a dirty way to start a Beatles album - aren't they supposed to be those clean-cut lads from Liverpool? It's the first clue that this is going to be a different journey than we expected. The witty George Harrison, tongue-in-cheek, with a song that vocalizes a universal suspicion that our money is being unfairly commandeered by the government, a sentiment that resonates more strongly as I've gotten older.
What else do I love? the lovely vocal harmony and the strings on Eleanor Rigby. The striking images painted by Paul. So original - name any song that even comes close to sounding like it. Love the way it ends - like in "Amadeus" the song ends when it's supposed to, no big bang necessary for the ending.
What else? John's nasal tenor, sweet and dreamy, coming through on "I'm only sleeping", the perfectly match for a lazy afternoon, or a lazy day.
What else? "Here, There, and Everywhere" - their best love song ever IMHO, even better than George's "Something". Again, my humble opinion. It's sweeter and not so overproduced.
Even Ringo makes a classic appearance here - a children's song that, as poorly sung as it is (admit it, Ringo aint a singer), still holds a charm that will keep it beloved forever. (my favorite Ringo is "I wanna be your man")
What's just okay? She Said She said, Doctor Robert, and And your Bird can sing(just never caught on with me), Good Day Sunshine - (reverting back a little to their old bubble gum ways, still a lovely song).
Intriguing songs - Tomorrow never knows - very intellectually stimulating music. For no one - seems a bit incomplete at the end.
Got to get you into my life - Actually, Earth Wind & Fire did a cover on that terrible movie, "Sgt pepper's lonely hearts club band". EWF was one of the best parts of the movie, and I think I like the cover a little better than the original.
All in all (no pun intended, for those who get that-kudos), this album is fantastic. Even the just okay stuff is great if you're in the right mood for it. Every time I hear it (and I do tend to listen to it in its entirety), I smile.
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| "And the winner is" | 2008-07-09 |
| - Reviewed By User: AEMO7FDHBHTEG |
I've got lots of spare time so I went through all Beatles albums on amazon and compared their medium grade point average. This is the winner!
The whole list goes like this (only UK versions):
1. Revolver 4.69
2. Abbey road 4.67
3. Rubber soul 4.6
4. A hard day's night 4.53
5. Help 4.5
6. Magical mystery tour 4.41
7. White album 4.4
8. Sgt Pepper 4.39
9. With the Beatles 4.34
10. Please please me 4.27
11. Let it be 4.2
12. For sale 4.1
13. Yellow submarine 3.6
CONGRATULATIONS REVOLVER!
I wonder what I'll do tomorrow. |
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| "The Beatles '66" | 2008-07-05 |
| - Reviewed By User: A1K9UW6EH4B9XQ |
There's a reason why Revolver is a personal favorite for many Beatles fans: Sgt. Pepper may have been more innovative, and Abbey Road may be more pleasantly scatterbrained, but Revolver has better songs. It has "Taxman," which is one of the group's coolest numbers, what with that neat chord progression and those smug lyrics and the guitar solo that just screams "1966." It has "Here, There And Everywhere," one of the finest pop songs of all time (it was, after all, Paul's famous attempt to top Brian Wilson). It has the delirious rock classic that is "She Said She Said," and the languid beauty of "I'm Only Sleeping." "And Your Bird Can Sing" laid the groundwork for power pop with its sky-scraping melody and jangling guitars. "Tomorrow Never Knows" will rip your brain in half.
Even the throwaways are fun: "Got To Get You Into My Life" and "Good Day Sunshine" are catchy and silly and soulful, and "Doctor Robert" is a fantastic poker-faced drug anthem. "I Want To Tell You" is worthwhile for its swooping fade-in, if nothing else.
Plus, Revolver is just plain cooler than most of the Beatles other albums. While Sgt. Pepper's often (let's be honest here) got a bit too silly for its own good, Revolver always sounded like futurist pop art with a genuinely rockin' backbone. It was playful, but it was also smart and hip. It knew how to hold experimental tendencies in check when necessary. As such, Revolver has aged much better than most of the other "cutting edge" recordings of the 60s. It still sounds fresh and hip and exciting. Don't believe me? Buy it and see for yourself. You won't be sorry. |
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| "need a 6th star for this one. Must-have!" | 2008-05-21 |
| - Reviewed By andreascg |
With "Rubber Soul", the Beatles started maturing as artists and moving away from "mere" teen pop, but it was with "Revolver" that they hit their peak. Certainly the albums that came later were perhaps even more ambitious and got more press and, yes, hype. Nevertheless if I have to choose a favorite Beatles album, it would be "Revolver". I've had this album for a long time (in LP format), and it's been one of my favorites. Almost by coincidence I was recently exposed to this album again after many years. I'm happy to say that this one absolutely stands the test of time. It's now on heavy rotation in my stereo.
Originally on LP the US and UK releases of the Beatles allbums up to and including this one were different. I the case of "Revolver" the difference was that the U.S. version was missing 3 songs. The CD release is the UK version, so it includes all 14 tracks. There really isn't a weak track on the album, although perhaps the least "essential" track is "Dr. Robert". It's certainly a decent enough song, but it's not fantastic and doesn't really add anything crucial to the song mix. One reviewer suggested that "Paperback Writer", which has a similar style, would have been a better inclusion, and I would agree. Actually when I listen to the album, I typically skip two songs, "Yellow Submarine" and "Love You To". Both are certainly very creative groundbreaking songs that add to the variety of the mix, but frankly I don't need to hear them too often (all 3 of George's "raga rock" tunes have not dated well, IMHO). Everything else on the album is absolutely great.
George Harrison's other two songs, the opener "Taxman" and "I Want To Tell You" are among his best, and really show him hitting his peak as a songwriter. Eleanor Rigby's lyrics and music (including brilliant orchestration) are case study in isolation and despair. "For No One" is also rather sad, but brilliantly crafted ballad by McCartney. "Here There and Everywhere" is more optimistic and has to be considered one of Mcartney's best songs ever. "Got To Get You Into My Life" and "Good Day Sunshine" are wonderful too, both bursting with a positive vibe.
John Lennon's other 3 compositions are all experimental in nature. "And Your Bird Can Sing" `s most distinct feature is a very unusual guitar riff. The sound of the guitar can be described as a sunnier version of the one on "Rain" (The single "Paperback Writer" / "Rain" is stylistically consistent with this album). This is contrasted with a refrain that sounds almost retro. The part when he sings "I'll be `round" could almost be from an early Beatles song. "I'm Only Sleeping" and "She Said, She Said" Have a druggy, lazy feel to them, with the latter having more overt psychedelic references. Of course the song that takes the experimentation to the furthest degree at that point in time is the closing song "Tomorrow Never Knows". This one must have truly been a mindblower in 1966! It incorporates all sorts of avant-guarde experimentation techniques - drones, tape effects, distortion, and a really strange song structure that basically has no chord changes to it. Not to mention the creepy "seagull" noises! The result is absolutely hypnotic and spooky. I really sounds like it's coming from another dimmension. Although this is definitely John's creation, evidently it was Paul that introduced the band to the tape manipulation techniques that were being used by such avant-guarde composers like Karlheinz Stockhausen. This contradicts the conventional wisdom that John was the experimenter and Paul was the conventional pop guy. They all seemed to have a real talent for absorbing ideas and influences, which they then seamlessly vowe into their onw style.
In addition to strengths of the individual tracks, what makes this a fantastic album is how cohesive it is. There is incredible diversity, but it all fits together wonderfully. An essential album, I think!
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| "need a 6th star for this one. Must-have!" | 2008-05-21 |
| - Reviewed By Anonymous |
With "Rubber Soul", the Beatles started maturing as artists and moving away from "mere" teen pop, but it was with "Revolver" that they hit their peak. Certainly the albums that came later were perhaps even more ambitious and got more press and, yes, hype. Nevertheless if I have to choose a favorite Beatles album, it would be "Revolver". I've had this album for a long time (in LP format). Almost by coincidence I was recently exposed to this album after a long time. I'm happy to say that this one absolutely stands the test of time. It's now on heavy rotation in my stereo.
Originally on LP the US and UK releases of the Beatles allbums up to and including this one were different. I the case of "Revolver" the difference was that the U.S. version was missing 3 songs. The CD release is the UK version, so it includes all 14 tracks. There really isn't a weak track on the album, although perhaps the least "essential" track is "Dr. Robert". It's certainly a decent enough song, but it's not fantastic and doesn't really add anything crucial to the song mix. One reviewer suggested that "Paperback Writer", which has a similar style, would have been a better inclusion, and I would agree. Actually when I listen to the album, I typically skip two songs, "Yellow Submarine" and "Love You To". Both are certainly very creative groundbreaking songs that add to the variety of the mix, but frankly I don't need to hear them too often.. Everything else on the album is absolutely great.
George Harrison's other two songs, the opener "Taxman" and "I Want To Tell You" are among his best, and really show him hitting his peak as a songwriter. Eleanor Rigby's lyrics and music (including brilliant orchestration) are case study in isolation and despair. "For No One" is also rather sad, but brilliantly crafted ballad by McCartney. "Here There and Everywhere" is more optimistic and has to be considered one of Mcartney's best songs ever. "Got To Get You Into My Life" and "Good Day Sunshine" are wonderful too, both bursting with a positive vibe.
John Lennon's other 3 compositions are all experimental in nature. "And Your Bird Can Sing" `s most distinct feature is a very unusual guitar riff. The sound of the guitar can be described as a sunnier version of the one on "Rain" (The single "Paperback Writer" / "Rain" is stylistically consistent with this album). This is contrasted with a refrain that sounds almost retro. The part when he sings "I'll be `round" could almost be from an early Beatles song. "I'm Only Sleeping" and "She Said, She Said" Have a druggy, lazy feel to them, with the latter having more overt psychedelic references. Of course the song that takes the experimentation to the furthest degree at that point in time is the closing song "Tomorrow Never Knows". This one must have truly been a mindblower in 1966! It incorporates all sorts of avant-guarde experimentation techniques - drones, tape effects, distortion, and a really strange song structure that basically has no chord changes to it. Not to mention the creepy "seagull" noises! The result is absolutely hypnotic and spooky. I really sounds like it's coming from another dimmension. Although this is definitely John's creation, evidently it was Paul that introduced the band to the tape manipulation techniques that were being used by such avant-guarde composers like Karlheinz Stockhausen. This contradicts the conventional wisdom that John was the experimenter and Paul was the conventional pop guy. They all seemed to have a real talent for absorbing ideas and influences, which they then seamlessly vowe into their onw style.
In addition to strengths of the individual tracks, what makes this a fantastic album is how cohesive it is. There is incredible diversity, but it all fits together wonderfully. An essential album, I think!
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| "The Seeds of Greatness Starting to Grow And Blossom" | 2008-05-19 |
| - Reviewed By User: AGNSHM66KAH58 |
| THIS IS A TRULY REMARKABLE ALBUM, FOR IT IS THE FOLLOW-UP TO RUBBER SOUL. IN RUBBER SOUL YOU STARTED TO HEAR THE NEW SOUNDS THE BEATLES WERE CREATING, LEAVING A THIRST FOR MORE. WITH REVOLVER, THE GROWTH OF NEW SOUNDS AND INSTRUMENTS IS BREATHTAKING. THIS ALBUM COMPLETELY LET'S THE LISTENER KNOW THAT 1, THE FABS WERE ADVANCING MUSICALLY, MENTALLY, AND ARTISTICALLY. THE START OF THE ALBUM, TAXMAN, SHOWS GEORGE COMING UP TO PAR WITH JOHN AND PAUL. THIS IS A FANTASTIC ROCK TUNE. AND AS USUAL, PAUL ALWAYS PLAYS AN INCREDIBLE BASS PART TO RIVAL GEORGE'S SONGWRITING ENDEAVORS! ELEONOR RIGBY, SUPERB! AS GEORGE HARRISON'S START TO SIMULATE US WITH HIS INDIAN LACE SONGS, SUCH AS, LOVE YOU TO.JOHN FOCUSES ON HIS MENTAL STATE, YELLOW SUBMARINE COMES AS A KID'S TUNE TO BE SUNG IN GRADE SCHOOL, A SONG FOR RINGO THAT'S NOT BAD. DOCTOR ROBERT ROCKS OUT!PAUL CONTINUES HIS SONGWRITING WITH ADDING DIFFERENT INSTRUMENTS, MAINLY BRASS, AND THAT COMES OFF VERY WELL DONE. ALL IN ALL REVOLVER IS A MUST FOR ANYBODY WHO WANTS TO FURTHER THEIR MUSICAL TASTE. WITH REVOLVER YOU REALIZE THAT SOMETHING OF THE MAGNITUDE OF SGT. PEPPER WOULD BE NEXT. |
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| "A pivotal album in their careers" | 2008-04-01 |
| - Reviewed By x30718 |
The Fab Four continued experimenting in the Abbey Road studio which they prefered to do and this became their finest work to date. In fact, during what turned out to be their last tour in the US, they didn't perform any songs from this album because the songs were now more complex. If you're a Beatles fan and/or a rock fan, this album is truly essential.
TAXMAN-One of George's stronger compositions talking about one of life's inescapable realities.
ELEANOR RIGBY-Paul's tale about a lonely spinster.
I'M ONLY SLEEPING-Featuring backwards guitars, it's John "dreaming his life away"
LOVE YOU TO-A song by George featuring all Indian music as the rhythm track.
HERE, THERE AND EVERYWHERE-A ballad by Paul.
YELLOW SUBMARINE-Written by Paul and sung by Ringo, this became one of their most popular chart toppers.
SHE SAID SHE SAID-John said this came from an encounter with an actor who told him he knew what is like to be dead.
GOOD DAY SUNSHINE-A feel good song wriiten by Paul.
AND YOUR BIRD CAN SING-A composition of John's that he didn't think much of.
FOR NO ONE-A song by Paul featuring a clavichord and french horn solo.
DOCTOR ROBERT-John's song about drugs and pills.
I WANT TO TELL YOU-The piano and Ringo's hard drum playing highlight this George song.
GOT TO GET YOU INTO MY LIFE-Is this Paul song about a girl or about drugs? Either way it's one of the best cuts here. Capitol released this as a single in '76.
TOMORROW NEVER KNOWS-This still sounds amazing four decades later. Even though it's the album's last track, it was the first song recorded. In 1980, John said he took a phrase that Ringo said as the title "to take the edge off the heavy, philosophical lyrics."
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| "Taxman" | 2008-03-16 |
| - Reviewed By User: AUDL1AG7AACI6 |
| Paul McCartney and John Lennon were the best song writing duo ever and that is without a doubt, thus this album is one of the best ever. Not one filler to be found here. George Harrison starts it out with my personal favorite Taxman and it just goes from there. Outstanding lyrics with Paul and John never sounding better. |
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