REVOLVER

Clearly, this album owes much of its succes to the musical sensibilities of McCartney, and engineer Geoff Emerick, whose fingerprints are everywhere. More listenable than Pepper, this album marks a shift in the Beatles' recording process that made Pepper possible. Long sessions and greater involvement in mixing resulted in a more focused effort. The writing had definitely improved, drug inspired or not. Lennon has many fine moments as well, and Harrison began to emerge as a songwriter to be reckoned with. Along with the single Paperback Writer/Rain, Ringo turns in some of the finest drumming of his career. Great thumping bass, squawking guitars, tape loops, classical instruments, reverse effects, are all used to maximum impact. This album has everything. The Beatles at their best, at, or nearing their creative peak at a very colourful period in history. Likened to the scene in The Wizard of Oz when the film goes from black and white into colour. Only a cynic would grumble at this masterpiece.