RUBBER SOUL

This is the album where The Beatles became a bit more experimental and even darker in some ways. The songs focussed on the similar love themes of other albums but there was an edge of sinister cynicism on the material; Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) is Lennon at his cynical best, You Won't See Me and Nowhere Man are mysterious and downbeat. Think For Yourself is a strange lyrical beast, Girl has some weird air sucking sounds giving it a weirdness that other songs at the time did not have. Run For Your Life is a moody little song with threatening lyrics, warning if Lennon catches his woman with another man "that's the end".

It is all quite a mixed bag. The highlight is perhaps Drive My Car with such a great melody and well known worldwide. Other songs are rather melancholy such as the lilting Paul ballad Michelle complete with French lyrics. The album is one for all Beatles addicts, but the best was yet to come.