 "Weary Beatles lack consistency but not creativity" | 2009-11-08 |
| - Reviewed By User: A2HFL26OQJ2T9X |
'Beatles For Sale' is generally regarded as one of the weaker efforts from the Fab Four. Certainly, compared to the all-original 'A Hard Day's Night', an album containing only eight originals and six covers should be seen as a let-down. It's also common knowledge that the band sound very tired and world-weary on the album, as if fame and relentless touring and exhuasted and jaded them. All of this is true. However, despite all this, 'Beatles For Sale' is still a strong album. The resigned, weary feel of the album actually suits the more introspective, Dylan-influenced songs the band have written, and the best songs here showcase a maturing of The Beatles' sound that would become more evident over coming albums.
John Lennon, especially, is beginning to develop the biting, confessional style that would characterise his later work; `No Reply' (a girl who won't answer his calls), `I'm A Loser' (losing his girl affecting his self-worth), `Baby's In Black' (love for a girl who mourns another man), and `I Don't Want To Spoil The Party' (leaving alone rather than sour the mood) are all outstanding examples of this. All four songs showcase more complex and downbeat emotions, in contrast to the boy-like enthusiasm and optimism of their early albums. McCartney's songs aren't as explicitly confessional, but there's a similar sense of insecurity and doubt in `What You're Doing', while the wistful `I'll Follow The Sun' is one of his most under-rated, emotionally affecting ballads.
Among all this introspection, the bright melodies and chiming guitars of `Eight Days A Week' is actually a bit of a surprise. It's clearly the song that most harks back to their infectious early work, although there are still signs of development such as the fade-in and stop/start bridge.
The covers, however, are what let the album down. Sure, the band's first few albums had covers, but these were often inspired, unconventional choices; girl-group, doo-wop, show tunes, and obscure B-sides. In contrast, on 'Beatles For Sale' the band run through fairly standard rock and roll covers; Chuck Berry, Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Carl Perkins. They're not bad choices, just unimaginative ones. And the execution of these songs is a bit flawed; George Harrison's heavily processed, echoed voice on 'Everybody's Trying To Be My Baby' makes him sound like he's singing through a tin can. And Lennon himself acknowledged his cover of 'Mister Moonlight' was an embarrassment, so perhaps we can all be honest about that one.
The sheer number of covers and their workmanlike-but-not-great execution means the album is a bit too inconsistent to rank among their best work. However, the eight original songs alone are worth buying the album for. That's the deal with `Beatles For Sale'; not perfect, and certainly not their greatest, but its best songs showcase a rapid musical and lyrical development from the band, and cancel out the occasional mis-steps and awkward moments.
Four stars.
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 "Their best record of the early '60s -- an underrated masterpiece from the Fab Four" | 2009-11-02 |
| - Reviewed By tellrabbit2 |
The Beatles' 1964 album 'Beatles for Sale' often is thrown into the dust and often overlooked. And unfairly so, in my opinion. To me, 'BFS' is a better record than both 'Please Please Me' and 'With the Beatles' (although both are great records, don't get me wrong). Released in 1964 on the Parlophone label, the record spawned a #1 hit for the group, 'Eight Days a Week,' considered a classic in their catalogue.
But, there is FAR more to this album than 'Eight Days A Week.' FAR more.
'No Reply' is a great song to listen to if you are down, and 'Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey Hey' just gets you feeling good. These are just examples of the mood changes throughout on 'Beatles for Sale.' At some moments, it's happy and cheerful, much like the prior two records were and 'A Hard Days Night.' Other times, it's gloomy and depressed, and signals the direction (and musical maturity) the boys were heading in.
'Mr. Moonlight' is one of the more underrated songs in the Beatles' catalogue. People often call it one of the worst in their catalogue. They don't know what they're missing. This is a perfectly great song, and it shows Lennon at his gloomiest (by his songwriting).
Another example of Lennon at his gloomiest is 'I'm a Loser.' Perhaps the first genuinely sad song in the Beatles' catalogue (and certainly not the last), The Beatles prove here they weren't just another happy beat group from England.
And the cover photo is just phenomenal. It captures The Beatles at their early best; one look and one can tell it is a genuine photo. The cover is one of the many highlights on 1964's 'Beatles for Sale.'
Overall, don't pass by 'Beatles for Sale.' Sure, it's no 'Rubber Soul' or 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band,' for that matter, but it's not a terrible album by any means. In fact, it's a classic Beatles album and one of the best albums of 1964 by a long shot.
I highly, highly recommend 'Beatles for Sale' to any Beatles fan, casual or die-hard. Don't pass this one by. The music here is truly exceptional. Five stars is certainly earned.
ENJOY!!! |
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| "Forever A Fan" | 2009-10-22 |
| - Reviewed By whitgrove |
| Though I couldn't really pick a favorite Beatles' album this one is right up there in contention as it contains some of my favorite Beatle songs. The remastering enhances the efforts of the most influential rock and roll band ever. |
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| "Same mix as A HARD DAYS NIGHT.....fantastic!!" | 2009-10-17 |
| - Reviewed By ljdavito1 |
If ever there was a person to earn the title of "5th Beatle"....it would surely have been George Martin and Brian Epstein....and NOT New York radio DJ, Murray the K.
Martins invaluable knowledge of musical theory and arrangement, as well as his vast overall familiarity with each of the instruments and vocalizing; plus his willingness to bet on a longshot and take risks.
It was Brian Epsteins original interest in the band that convinced them to change their appeance/image and got them in the doors at Parlophone in the first place.
When you listen back to 1962 to the Decca Tapes, the Tony Sheridan recordings and the Star Club in Hamburg,Germany.....It doesn't take a genius to figure out that NOBODY transcends from being a barely competent musician to the Beatle level in only 14 or 15 months. Also keep in mind that short of Paul McCartney, no one in the band had any formal musical training.
I believe this is where George Martin and Brian Epstein come into the picture....Their guidance and vision took a group of 4 very ambitious young men who were extremely talented; yet raw and and transformed them into the biggest band of the century. In very short order, they became better than any of their peers. The bands appearance took on a new look....as well as their sound..
In the studio....Martin undoubtedly helped them to polish their vocal and musical skills...showing them the tips and secrets only the pros were familiar with. It was Martin who helped them accelerate their prowess of the piano and organ...as well as giving them tips on how to accentuate their playing style on guitar, bass and drums..This is the job of a good producer....to get the most out of the performer and to capture it all on tape.
So.....If there ever was ANYBODY who deserved to be referred to as a "5th Beatle"....It would have to be George Martin and Brian Epstein. These 2 men were every much a Beatle as the 4 who you saw on all the records and cd's.
When I think back to all the hoopla that was associated with Beatlemania....I am really convinced that it wasn't all hype at all....These guys (with the help of Brian and George) really deserved all that attention and they truly were a phenomenon and destined to be the BAND OF THE CENTURY.
If you doubt me....just listen to the music.
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I really have to say....George Martin had the Stereo technique down to a science on AHDN and Beatles for Sale.....
A double thumbs up goes out for this album....love it till you die. |
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| "Remastered For sale as good as the rest" | 2009-10-10 |
| - Reviewed By User: A3F4DSZ38VDKNR |
| I don't know what's wrong with these people that say there's little or no difference between the original cd's and the remastered. I did a side-by-side comparison between them and in every single case, both my son and I were able to pick the new ones right away w/o any hesitation using a portable cd player and good headphones. On most songs, I could hear instruments and notes I had never ever noticed before even though I am very familiar with this music, being I grew up listening to it and never lost my love of it. As a matter of fact I believe the older material like For Sale sound even more impressive than the newer recordings like Abbey Road. |
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| "Beatles For Sale [Remastered] - Buy It!" | 2009-09-12 |
| - Reviewed By User: AR27QZO8G9J5H |
I just purchased this at a local store, as I am too impatient to wait for the other 6 I ordered through Amazon. Those people that say that they can hear no difference do not know what they are talking about. All of the accoustic guitars are now bright and jangly as they should be. The bass is more prominent and the drums are crisper, all without overpowering the vocals.
There is more seperation between the voices so you can tell who is singing which part. It is not all muddled together, each individual instrument stands out on its own. Anybody who expects a modern digital recording from a 1964 analog source is just being unrreasonable. Remember, these were recorded on two- and four-track recorders, so with any bounce down to add instruments, you will have some loss of sonic ability, in spite of all they can do. It's just the limit of the 1964 analog source tape. For what it's worth, in my mind, it's a welcome addition - a veritable breath of fresh air. I highly recommend this album. |
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