REVOLVER

It paved the way for "Peppers" and its psychedelic mood. It is the Fab Four seventh release in three years 'time!!! Another top one on both sides of the Atlantic.

For the first time, more credit is given to Georges who is signing three songs and will introduce the use of rare instruments. One of their hardest song "Taxman" is an acid attack about the British tax system. The band was actually paying huge taxes and the violent rhythm depicts quite well their feeling about it. It was not frequent to get a Georges song as an opener (but there will be other ones in the future).

On the other end of the scope, "Eleanor Rigby" is a diamond of a melody featuring an awesome chords section (like during "Yestraday"..

Some psychedelic mood during "I'm Only Sleeping". This describes John's foundness for ...sleeping! Some saw some relation with drug (ab) use, but that seems not to be confirmed.

The band had experienced already some sitar on "Norwegian Wood", so now Georges is introducing another Indian instrument on "Love You To" : the tabla. One of the very few "Beatles" song which doesn't figure neither Paul nor John. Only Georges and Ringo backed up by an Indian musician on the tabla. Very pleasant and fully original.

One of the more melancholic songs from this very good album is "Here, There and Everywhere". It is an extraordinary ballad where the harmonies are just gigantic. A highlight and rather a contrast with "Yellow Submarine". Even if it features some original arrangements, it is not at all one of my fave. The lead vocals is from Ringo, and unfortunately as during each of them I just feel a bit disappointed.

The next good one is a McCartney song : "Good day Sunshine". Vocals are particularly well performed. Actually, Georges and John are just doing the backings here. They don't play any instrument while Georges Martin is playing the piano.

The rocking sound of this album is perpetuated by John. "And Your Bird Can Sing" is a mix of rock and harmony. Another very good song from John which is less known. Just like most of the ones from this "Revolver" album.

"For No One" is another melodic tune. It is also a track in which two members are not involved in the recording (Georges and John). The use of different instrument is also a feature : Paul playing clavichord (a medieval instrument ancestor of the piano in some sort) while Ringo plays tambourine. There is even horn played by a guest.

Lots of horns as well during "Got To Get You Into My Life" which got a strange life cycle. This song was released as a single in ... 1976 in the US to promote a compilation. would you believe that it peaked at the seventh spot in the US charts? Way after they broke up!

The most psychedelic song of all here is "Tomorrow never Knows". Remember this album was released in 1966. Floyd hasn't yet released "Piper" nor "The Doors" their first album and Airplane was in its infancy. This song is really precursory of a whole movement which will soon invade the musical scene. A great and very interesting closing number, although not very well known either.

This album can hardly considered as prog. It was original and influential. And it is a very good one.

Four stars.

Share this THE BEATLES review

Social review comments () BETA

---

---

Review related links

• Send comments to ZowieZiggy
• Report this review (#155505)
• Buy THE BEATLES music online with PA partners
• Show all THE BEATLES MP3/Stream
• Go to THE BEATLES page for videos, full discography with ratings, reviews and much more
• Go to Revolver page for more details, where to buy and ratings/reviews
• Search the Forum for THE BEATLES related discussions