(Classic Rock) The Beatles-Revolver

[The Stig]

The Beatles--Revolver

Released 1966

John Lennon: Guitar/vocals
Paul McCartney (or is it William Campbell?:evil: ): Bass/Vocals
George Harrison: Guitar/vocals
Richard Starkey: Drums/vocals

This was one of the greatest rock albums ever. The transition from poppy She Loves You type songs to the extreme later Beatles songs, this is one of my favourite Beatles albums. There are very few, if any, songs on this album that are sub-par. Without further ado, Ladies and Gentlemen, The Beatles!

Taxman--A clever Harrison song, this talks about everyone's favourite civil worker, the taxman. The song is funny, has a cool rhythm and awesome solo (played by Paul{or his replacement}, I believe). 5/5

Elanor Rigby--The only song on which the Beatles did not play on any of their own instruments. Short, sad, and sweet. We've all heard it sometime before. 4.5/5

I'm Only Sleeping--A nice little song with mostly acoustic guitars. The neat thing on here is the back-tracked guitar part towards the end. It isn't extremely flashy, but innovative and it sounds good. 5/5

Love You To--This is a very fast-paced sitar-based song. It takes a while to kick in, but when it does, it's worth the wait. 4.5/5

Here, There And Everywhere--A very gentle song, it's not my favourite. However, it's a nice diversion sometimes. 4/5

Yellow Submarine--Again, who hasn't heard this song? It's silly, but a classic. 5/5

She Said She Said--More Paul is dead rumor fodder; this isn't a remarkable song, but it's still catchy. 4/5

Good Day Sunshine--One of 'Paul's' happy feel good kind of songs. Piano drives this one most of the way through. Nice and happy. And simple. 4.5/5

And Your Bird Can Sing--The double-tracked lead guitar at the beginning is pretty nice. The harmonies throughout the song are better. 5/5

For No One--Another of Paul's piano-based songs. It's a bit Vaudeville-esque, but not completely. It's pretty bittersweet. 4.5/5

Doctor Robert--I don't know why, but this is another favourite of mine. Nothing stands out on here except the switch from a really upbeat bluesey shuffle to an organ and vocals back to the shuffle. It's an underrated song in general. 5/5

I Want to Tell You--This song, once again is a catchy number. The wandering piano in the verses seem out of place, yet in place at the same time. Harrison, who penned this, was a truly underrated member of the band at the time. 5/5

Got to Get You Into my Life--Another McCartney song, this has some nice brass overdubs on it. 4.5/5

Tomorrow Never Knows--Wow. Wow again. This song escapes definition. Even though it's not my favourite, it's obvious the boys had changed a lot since Please, Please Me. The effects are amazing (even more so since they were recorded on a 4-track system). You just have to listen to this one. 5/5

In order to properly appreciate this album, you need to look at it in perspective. The Beatles were rapidly changing drastically from pop to rock. They now had a truly unique sound. Though the songs can change a lot between each other, the album is creative genius. Overall: 5/5

[Hey Mr. Light Man]

Great reveiw for the greatest band.

[Badmoon]

Great Review, Great album, Great band

[Zappa]

You're right, it's great. You also wrote an informative review. My one and only gripe is that you're being far too generous with "Yellow Submarine." Weakest song on the album by far.

[The Stig]

I gave it a five because of the fact that almost everyone has heard it...I think it's quite silly, but it is still a classic song...thanks for the positive feedback, though...

[Frodo]

I was just litsening to this album today, great album and a great review.

[ledfloyd_fan]

nice review

[Luxor]

I've only heard "Yellow Submarine" and "Eleanor Rigby" off this album... "Eleanor Ribgy" is a really good song.

[xxGumbyxx]

best song on album IMO = Eleanor Rigby :)

[seb_dow]

great review except i dont like yellow submarine, probably one of the best albums ever nice to see someone reviewing a good album rather than some heavy metal crap

[laranra]

one of the best ever. Experimental pop. the birth of all which came afterwards...

[Knoxvillelives]

The Beatles
Revolver
1966

John Lennon-Rhythm Guitar, Vocals
Paul McCartney-Bass, Vocals
George Harrison-Lead Guitar, Vocals, Sitar
Ringo Starr-Percussion, Vocals

This is the last album of the Beatles that the 60’s had born, this was the half-way point between the Beatles being Studio Artists, to Artists of the Studio (cheesy, I know), but this was the album where they really started experimenting before the genius that is Sgt. Peppers. This means the album has songs ranging from Yellow Submarine to Lennon’s creepy techno Tomorrow Never Knows. Here is a brief breakdown of each track:

Taxman
A classic Beatles rocker and a spectacular way to open the album. From the rehearsal atmosphere inspired by the initial countdown with cough, to the guitar joining in on the bass line in the third verse, this is a great rock track about the 95% Tax rises in 66. Harrison’s vocal is very sarcastic, with a great stop start melody with a more crooning chorus and when Paul and John come in the second verse, the song could have had more influence in a political campaign than any politician’s speech. The fantastic, scorching solo is contributed by Paul, whose great interest in this song even extended to the little detail of the ‘Ha Ha, Mr. Wilson’ and ‘Ha Ha Mr. Heath’, the prime-minister and opposition leader at the time.

Eleanor Rigby
Although many people stake a claim to this classic track, it really belongs to Paul. His vocal is haunting and goes perfectly with the orchestra, which is fantastically implemented, especially during the verse in which Rigby is buried, with soft, jutting violin hits and long, slow Cello rolls. Classic track

I’m Only Sleeping
Wonderful acoustic folksy song with dreamy lyrics and a perfect vocal from Lennon which is only enhanced by the sparse harmonised section with McCartney. Unfortunately, the song does sound too much like a demo, not quite finished, mainly in the quality of recording and the weak bass part. Nice little guitar licks from George. The best version is Take One, a much fuller and defined track. Great song though

Love You To
George’s Indian songs never really impressed me with The Beatles and this one, despite the sudden surge of energy in the sitar part with drums, never really does anything for me. Harrison’s vocal is a bit too, mono-tonus and droning. But the sitar is quite nice through out with interesting surges, but overall, quite a dull track.

Here, There And Everywhere
A very simple, lyrically driven song with beautiful harmonies. Overly simple guitar parts though which is often barely audible. But the harmonies save it from being a mediocre track, which over wise would be fairly dull.

Yellow Submarine
What can I say? Another classic track. Great simple lyrics and very easy guitar, perfect campfire music. But the Beatles manage to make so much more out of it…
Layers of boat, ocean sounds are layered over the sing along choruses and verses (sung beautifully innocently by Ringo). It’s a great simple track which gets quite manic at the end with a crooning voice over a boat PA. Classic Beatles.

She Said
Great guitar parts, with lots of spiralling riffs in between a great vocal parts from Lennon and great drum sections from Ringo, who though occasionally adding too much cymbal smashing after each line, slaps out a great beat. Slightly too repetitive but it can be forgiven because of the nice double tracked vocals at the end.

Good Day Sunshine
Where are the guitars? Doesn’t matter, it’s a great piano, bass and drum track. The bass is nice and simple, drums keep a steady beat but the star is Paul. His vocal is just perfect for the happy-go-lucky lyrics. The kind of song your Granddad would sit at the Piano and play for the family.

And Your Bird Can Sing
There they are. Guitars are back with a great main riff and a great Lennon/McArtney piece. They harmonise on key lines, adding impact to each one. Harrison’s guitar follows the vocals marvellously and the variations he uses as solos are superb. I love the interlude with Paul leading the vocals. Fantastic song.

For No One
Great ballad by Paul. Surprisingly up beat piano melody sounds so odd with Paul’s bitter vocal and creates a great contrast. The lyrics are combinations of rhyming couplets with longer more complex rhyme. Paul does a fantastic job on this and is only complimented by the beautifully out of place trumpet/cornet solos. I love the sudden ending

Doctor Robert
Similar to Taxman guitar wise. Supposedly about the Beatles drug dealer, the lyrics seem to fit. Up-beat, catchy with a nice slower interlude which rolls right back into the verse. Fairly typical Lennon vocal with slightly over sung parts by Paul. Good drum parts by Ringo, up beat, happy-go-lucky, endearing.

I Want To Tell You
Another Harrison contribution. Nice intro with a slow riff and chords backing but a very odd piano part, which doesn’t work as well as “For No Ones�. An odd song really. I can’t see anything wrong with it, I just don’t like it. The piano gets worse later on and George’s singing is never reaches the height of Taxman and can’t even be saved by harmonies. I get the feeling, had this been a Harrison solo project, it may have worked.

Got To Get You Into My Life
Very jazzy song lead by drums and brass, saxophone sections which work well with Paul’s vocal and the cheesy lyrics. The song picks up with the chorus where Paul’s vocal jumps up for the title line, then dips back down to the jazzy tempo. Nice song, catchy melody with a great double tracked mini solo from George and John.

Tomorrow Never Knows
So we come to it at least. The finale. What a finale it is. The Beatles most daring, technologically enhanced songat the time (lennon would of course respond with the either unbearable or genius Revolution 9) Based on the words of the Tibetan Book Of The Dead, Lennon’s original vision was slightly toned down from having thousands of Monks singing to him being given a distorted vocal, especially in the second verse. Lennon is superb throughout, supported by odd noises, sudden crescendos and build ups with sudden drops and disorientating whirls of sound.
Supported by Ringo’s best drum work to date (until Rain and Come Together of course) which gives the impression of being played backwards due to a Fairchild limiter. It’s a mesmerising, hypnotic drum line which has a great whooshing and sucking sound (for want of better words) which perfectly accompany the songs randomness. Great way to end the album.

Although there are some fairly dull songs on the album, overall it does portray a good range of the Beatle’s styles at a mid-point in their career and in that sense is a great Beatles album and when it's good it's incredible. Not my Favourite, but a great album none-the-less.

4.52/5

[AfroMan]

The Beatles
Revolver
1966

3.75/5

:eek:

[Panda Licker]

:eek:
Agreed. The album voted greatest of all time only got a 3.75?

Rethink your grading scale

[Badmoon]

5/5 no doubt. It's perfection, in my opinion.

[Knoxvillelives]

Was it really coted the greatest? I thought Pepper was?
Anyway, I was kind of focussing on the bad stuff, but after a re-listen, exlcuding the song I find average, leaving 12 songs left, it does kick ***. I'm rethinking...I'm seeing...a change! An voiloir!!!!

[Knoxvillelives]

Gah! What happened to my review of this?

[Bartender]

Threads merged, because it was a double review.

[Knoxvillelives]

Ta. Good review Paul150
Question tho, when was Revolver voted best album of all time.

[Woodstock]

Keep the beatles reviews comin' Paul :thumb:





It is William Campbell :evil:

[mexicanfloydian]

You're right, it's great. You also wrote an informative review. My one and only gripe is that you're being far too generous with "Yellow Submarine." Weakest song on the album by far.

I agree. It's not up to the standards of the rest of the album. But like many times, the worst song is the most commercial.

[Badmoon]

Ta. Good review Paul150
Question tho, when was Revolver voted best album of all time.

A vh1 list.

[themightyquinn23]

Paul McCartney (or is it William Campbell?:evil: ): Bass/Vocals


That's ridiculous. Some people will believe anything.

[pixiesfanyo]

Good album. It appeals to everyone in my opinion. Maybe it's great because of that.

But..I don't think it's the greatest album.

[Bartender]

Do you think its their greatest album?

[pixiesfanyo]

I'm more a White album person.

[Bartender]

Fair enough. I go in more for Sgt Pepper's, myself. Stupid Revolver.

[Tapeworm]

Great review. One of my favourite albums of all time, and definately my favourite Beatles album.

[sadisticmonkey]

Revolver is better than Sgt. Peppers...

Im probably the biggest Beatles fan on MX...and I'll be the first to say that Peppers is great but its kinda overrated...Revolver is a much better album

[Bartender]

Revolver is better than Sgt. Peppers...

Im probably the biggest Beatles fan on MX...and I'll be the first to say that Peppers is great but its kinda overrated...Revolver is a much better album

I was being less than serious; I love Revolver too. I just prefer Sgt Peppers :)

[pixiesfanyo]

Im probably the biggest Beatles fan on MX...and I'll be the first to say that Peppers is great but its kinda overrated...Revolver is a much better album

If you are the biggest Beatles fan why would you call an album over rated.

I'm a huge Pixies fan and I find something to enjoy in every one of their albums and think they deserve what is said about them.

[sadisticmonkey]

I know, I love all the Beatles albums...but some HAVE to be better than others...Like Revolver > Sgt Peppers.

Style wise...Its time for VS!

Eleanor Rigby Vs Lucy in the sky with diamonds.... Revolver wins

Good Day Sunshine Vs Good Morning Good Morning... Revolver Wins

Tomorrow Never Knows Vs A Day In The Life... Peppers Wins

Love You To Vs Within You Without You.... Revolver Wins

For No One Vs When Im Sixty Four... Peppers Wins

I Want To Tell You Vs Lovely Rita.... Peppers Wins

Got To Get You Into My Life Vs Getting Better... Revolver Wins

they are close...but Revolver is a better rock album

[sadisticmonkey]

If you are the biggest Beatles fan why would you call an album over rated.

I'm a huge Pixies fan and I find something to enjoy in every one of their albums and think they deserve what is said about them.

because it IS overrated.... Compared to other albums

Its still ****ing amazing

[Whatever]

its the most revolutionary, lets leave it at that.

[Knoxvillelives]

No way. Songwise, no.
I love reading all that William Campbell/Clues on album covers stuff cuz it's hilariously ridiculous.
I bought this book, 100 greatest albums of all time and Revolver was 1, White Album was 5, Pepper was 3 and Abbey Road was 8. Every Beatles album was in the top top 100 except the Red, Blue and With The BEatles, which were all under 500.
But Radio head were numbers 2 and 4! What?

[Knoxvillelives]

I'm more of a White Album guy too. That first disc is near perfection.

[Woodstock]

^I don't think its the greatest, but it did complete the border between psychedelia and "I Wan't To Hold Your Hand" that Rubber Soul started.

[themightyquinn23]

I know I already posted in here, but it wasn't about the album. It took me awhile to get into Revolver. Of course, there were some songs that I always loved(namely Taxman, Yellow Submarine, Eleanor Rigby, Love You To, and Tomorrow Never Knows), but overall, I didn't think it was all that great. As I started listening to it, it really grew on me. Now I love everything about it, from the opening guitar riff of She Said She Said, to the backwards guitar in I'm only Sleeping, to the soft ballad Here, There, and Everywhere, to the simply AMAZING And Your Bird Can Sing. And then there's For No One. When I first heard it, I thought it was a waste of a song and I didn't like it at all. Now, I would put it as one of the Beatles best songs and the second or third best song on the album. To all who don't own this, GO OUT AND BUY IT RIGHT NOW!!!!

*gets off soap box*

[Woodstock]

Thats how all Beatles albums work.

[Seafroggys]

I know, I love all the Beatles albums...but some HAVE to be better than others...Like Revolver > Sgt Peppers.

Style wise...Its time for VS!

Eleanor Rigby Vs Lucy in the sky with diamonds.... Revolver wins

Good Day Sunshine Vs Good Morning Good Morning... Revolver Wins

Tomorrow Never Knows Vs A Day In The Life... Peppers Wins

Love You To Vs Within You Without You.... Revolver Wins

For No One Vs When Im Sixty Four... Peppers Wins

I Want To Tell You Vs Lovely Rita.... Peppers Wins

Got To Get You Into My Life Vs Getting Better... Revolver Wins

they are close...but Revolver is a better rock album

How do you compare just one song with another song? It doesn't really work. Tomorrow Never Knows, Good Morning Good Morning, I Want to Tell You, and LSD are some of the best songs on the list above, yet you did your bad comparison thing and said they were worse then a random song off the other album.

[Woodstock]

I agree, not the best way to compare two albums.

[Daniel!]

i love this album...

is it just me or does taxman sound a lot like the batman theme song?

[themightyquinn23]

It's just you

[Well_Respected_Man]

"I'm Only Sleeping" may just be my favorite Beatles song.

[minnieme01]

It's just you

yes.

[CombatWombat3]

Love the album, love the band. great Review!

[Woodstock]

i love this album...

is it just me or does taxman sound a lot like the batman theme song?
Yes there are some similarities.

[Woodstock]

"I'm Only Sleeping" may just be my favorite Beatles song.
It's my favorite off this album. :)

[Lumiere]

Last 3 tracks rock my world. Stupendous (does anyone notice part of Tomorrow Never Knows is Taxman in reverse?).

[heyjude8288]

Very good review.

I only wish they kept that track listing for the US version, luckily they release all the British versions on CD, but what good is that for a true Beatles fan? I had to go out and get "Yesterday And Today" on vinyl just to get "I'm Only Sleeping".....100% worth it too.

[xxxRoCkJuNkiExxx]

Nice review.

Does anyone here happen to know if there is an official Beatles thread? If there isnt, there should be...

[themightyquinn23]

Nope.


I would have to say For No One is my favorite off this album.

[Woodstock]

Nope.


I would have to say For No One is my favorite off this album.
Creepy, that's my favorite right now too.

[themightyquinn23]

When I first got this album, I didn't like it at all. It was my least favorite. But it really grew on me and now it is one of my favorite Beatles songs.