REVOLVER

The Beatles were showing signs of Psychedelia and studio experimentation on Rubber Soul. Revolver is an important step in Progressive Rock while none of the songs can be actually be called Prog, this was still 1966 it was very progressive. It is the first album in Rock where the studio as an instrument is used in preoccupation with psychedelic effects, including electronic/tape effects rather than the Brian Wilson/Phil Spector wall of sound strategy.

The Beatles use Indian instruments or sounds; particularly the Sitar, tamboura, and Tabla on Love You To. The song Tomorrow Never Knows introduces the concept of psychedelic. The lyrics influenced by Leary are The Psychedelic Experience and the studio manipulation of sounds resulted in abstract sonic environments. The Beatles created a wall of sound of tape loops backwards, sped up, on Tomorrow Never Knows with a raga-drum style pattern and it became one of the most influential songs not only to Art-Rock but in electronica.

Other tracks include Taxman with its funky bass line, distorted slashing chords and fuzz raga styled guitar solo. Classical influences are heard in Eleanor Rigby and the use of clavichord on For No One. "Psychedelic effects are heard in the backward guitar parts on "I'm Only Sleeping which became an important technique in Rock Music. A special shout for the harmonized guitar parts on And Your Bird Can Sing a really great power pop type of song.

Revolver might not be out and out Prog but it fuses pop, Psychedelia, World Music, and studio techniques with ease. It's basically a master class for future rockers to use for experimentation