Product Description

Arguably the first psychedelic rock album, REVOLVER was praised for its musical experimentation--the Indian sounds of "Love You To", the Motown-inspired "Got To Get You Into My Life", the backwards guitar in "I'm Only Sleeping". "Tomorrow Never Knows" was the most radical departure from previous Beatles' recordings for its skeletal bass/drums propulsion enhanced only with tape loops (contributed by all four Beatles and added in the mix-down process), more backwards guitar, and an eerie John Lennon vocal.
Still, the Beatles' experimentation grew out of their songwriting, which had matured beyond formula pop. "Tomorrow Never Knows" was inspired by the Tibetan Book of the Dead, Harrison's "Taxman" was a bitterdiatribe, and McCartney's "Eleanor Rigby" was a bleak portrait of loneliness. Balanced with upbeat songs like "Good DaySunshine" and "Yellow Submarine", REVOLVER proved The Beatles were not mere pop stars, but musical artists in search ofnew sounds and ideas.

Track Listing

1. Taxman
2. Eleanor Rigby
3. I'm only sleeping
4. Love you to
5. Here there and everywhere
6. Yellow submarine
7. She said she said
8. Good day sunshine
9. And your bird can sing
10. For no one
11. Dr Robert
12. I want to tell you
13. Got to get you into my life
14. Tomorrow never knows

Product Details

• Amazon Sales Rank: #29 in Music
• Released on: 1998-11-01
• Number of discs: 1

Amazon.co.uk Review
There are only three stories worth knowing from the last 2,000 years of history: the life of Mohammed, the life of Jesus and the career of The Beatles. They invented all music ever. John was the best one; but Paul is--despite the knighthood and everything--still the most under-rated songwriter of the 20th century. This is the album with "Eleanor Rigby", "Here, There and Everywhere", "For No One", "I'm Only Sleeping" and "Tomorrow Never Knows" on it--but then, you knew that anyway. We presume you have this album already and you're just getting a second copy in case you lose the first. --Caitlan Moran

Customer Reviews

THE MOPTOPS TUNE IN, TURN ON AND TAKE OFF
Though not as immediately accessible as the folk rock of Rubber Soul, 1966's Revolver is an album that had aged with consumate grace. Having largely shaken off the mop-top image of songs such as 'She Loves You' and 'Please Please Me', the hugely successful Beatles were now in a position where they could afford to spend months in the studio perfecting their music and craft. The dicision to quit touring also allowed for greater experimentation as none of the new tracks had to be recreated in a live environment.
Revolver has, for over 40 years, lived in the shadow of Sgt Pepper but, in all honesty, it is a far better record. Paul supplies the quota of ballads with the lovely 'For No One' and his career besting 'Here There And Everywhere' - one of John Lennon's favourite ever Beatles tracks. Macca also contributes 'Elanor Rigby' and 'Good Day Sunshine' - both of which are peerless examples of contemporary pop (and yes they do still sound modern and fresh).
Lennon himself was no slouch either and it's his willingness to push the boundaries that really lifts Revolver - 'She Said She Said', 'Doctor Robert' and the harmony driven 'And Your Bird Can Sing' effortlessly bridge the gap between ringing guitar pop/rock and the drug feulled mini symphonies that would dominate Sgt Pepper a year later. George's fine 'Taxman' also showed a songwriter poised on the edge of true greatness and is a real 'pot boiler' of an opening track.
Revolver was a landmark album in 1966 and it still sounds just as contemporary and exciting today - even 'Yellow Submarine' !

Hard-pressed
Hit me for six at the age of thirteen and a quarter of a century later I'd be hard-pressed to think of a more spectacular collection of pop songs.

If only...
If only modern music were to have any of the substance of this, my favourite and the favourite of most people who enjoy a good, human experience of music.
Historically Sgt Pepper's creates the "concept album" and begins the creation of the 1970's good stuff but Revolver has the better songs both musically and lyrically.

I can listen to revolver whenever I want and in its entirety. With Sgt Peppers I always feel the want to skip some tracks (although this would never materialise!).

Modern music suffers at the hands of the surplus extracting record company, the creators of the mass markets interests. Paradoxically the Beatles touch some of the mass charateristics of humanity (or maybe just the intelligent ones). The Beatles began the capitalisation of music leading to the state of affairs we have before us today, the "indie rock" or "R'n'b"; but atleast they had the style, intelligence and fantasic George Harrison and could see both the drudgery and celebratory elements of the human condition, all of which can be interpreted from Revolver, album of the 20th Century.