REVOLVER

Revolver was the first truly historically important release from the Beatles that could also be considered their first Proto-Prog album.

It was time for the fab four to transition to a much more rock-oriented sound compared to the almost folky undertones that dominated Rubber Soul. This album is also where, in my opinion, Paul McCartney and George Harrison really started to show their very own distinguishable styles from what their individual songwriting achieved previously. Harrison surprises by writing a more direct and also surprisingly politically charged Taxman. This is also the only time when Harrison made an exception from his 2 songs/album rule by contributing 3 compositions, which also includes the pleasant I Want To Tell You and the more forgettable Love You To.

Paul McCartney offers us some of his best ballads like Here, There And Everywhere and For No One, not to mention, the melancholy-sounding melody of Eleanor Rigby. John might not be my favorite contributor for this release but he does carve out a solid platform for the other members' individual highlights with tracks like I'm Only Sleeping, And Your Bird Can Sing and who can forget that weird outro song Tomorrow Never Knows?

This is the first true Proto-Prog album from the Beatles that has united both the fans and critics in considering it a masterpiece of the '60s music scene. I personally will settle for an excellent addition to any prog rock music collection recommendation on my part since the best is still yet to come!

***** star songs: Eleanor Rigby (2:07) Here, There And Everywhere (2:25) Yellow Submarine (2:40) For No One (2:01)

**** star songs: Taxman (2:39) I'm Only Sleeping (3:01) She Said She Said (2:37) Good Day Sunshine (2:09) And Your Bird Can Sing (2:01) I Want To Tell You (2:29) Got to Get You Into My Life (2:30) Tomorrow Never Knows (2:57)

*** star songs: Love You To (3:01) Doctor Robert (2:15)