REVOLVER

This is my most favourite Beatles album even though Rubber Soul and Abbey Road influenced my music direction more. The Beatles were evolving rapidly since embarking on their drug use journey starting with Rubber Soul. What we hear is the last really rocking album until "White Album" where substance is still created by lively instrument without overwhelming studio experimentation. McCartney leads with great melodies and accessible numbers although I would wish for more experimentation rather than diversity. Lennon excels in all directions such as compositions, surreal moods and vocal execution. Starr adds impressive drumming and Harrison has the best songwriting credits up to this point with 3 appearances.

The album starts relentlessly by "Taxman" and features aggressive psychedelic guitar solo and great lyrics. Starr provides good drums. "Eleanor Rigby" is one of the most often covered Beatles songs especially in jazz and soul. The unusual great melody and arrangements were very influential to baroque and psychedelic pop. You don't need rock guitar and drums to make an impressive pop track. "I'm only sleeping" is more about loose psychedelia feeling and lyrics than a strong melody but has traditionally strong harmonies. "Love you to" adds another dimension with its Indian elements and Harrison suiting vocal. "Here, there and everywhere" is one of the most beloved harmony vocals song but I find it overrated in general. Now we're finally coming to strong Lennon's experimental numbers - "She said she said" is one of the most progressive pieces thanks to rhythmical shifts and Starr drumming - this is Lennon at his best, flying in the clouds and kicking away all barriers "Good day sunshine" is another baroque pop track by McCartney with dominating piano and typical McCartney sense of melody. "And your bird can sing" is again on another side of things with extremely strong triple harmonies a la Byrds and inventive Harrison solo. Lennon vocal is so strong here. McCartney is no worse with muscular bass playing. "For no one" shows McCartney's flair for brass instruments with a great trumpet solo. "Doctor Robert" sounds more like it could stem from previous albums due to its old fashioned rhythm side but vocal harmonies save it. "I want to tell you" is another great Harrison's heart-broken bitter song and also employs piano. "Got to get you into my life" showcases high vocal range and soul inspiration. McCartney's vocal at its best. "Tomorrow never knows" has a fascinating beat, a simple melody and tons of psychedelia with its atmosphere. It has been covered by countless styles ranging from progressive rock to jazz.

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