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The Beatles

Revolver - Capitol 1966

Tracks: 1. Taxman / 2. Eleanor Rigby / 3. Love You To / 4. Here, There and Everywhere / 5. Yellow Submarine / 6. She Said, She Said / 7. Good Day Sunshine / 8. For No One / 9. I Want to Tell You / 10. Got to Get You into My Life / 11. Tomorrow Never Knows

Comments:

In the 1960s, the American market had to endure Capitol’s release policy, which split up the European Beatles albums so that only 11 or 12 tracks were included. One gain, however, was the addition of singles and EP tracks, which Europeans would have liked to see on “their” albums. A result was, of course, that Capitol could release ten albums, over a period where Parlophone only released seven in Europe.

There were, however, in the case of "Revolver", no "rarities" for the Americans who had to be content with an album that lacked the three Lennon songs "And Your Bird Can Sing", "Dr. Robert" and "I'm Only Sleeping". All three songs were released shortly before on Capitol's "Yesterday and Today". After "Revolver", Capitol followed the European releases , but with the small note that it was actually Capitol that created the "Magical Mystery Tour" album, which was first released in Europe only as a double EP.

Original review:

”Revolver” was the last album the Beatles released before they stopped touring. None of the songs from the album were included, as far as I know, on the group's live repertoire - apart from "Paperback Writer" which was recorded during the same sessions, but which was not included on the album. Musically it is a very varied album, spanning over many different genres, a development which should continue on the next album "Sgt Pepper". The new psychedelic wave which emerged around 1966 is apparent on several tracks, especially on Harrison's and Lennon's songs. McCartney's songs range widely from Motown ("Got to Get You Into My Life”), over classic-inspired pop(“Eleanor Rigby") , to pure-pop balladry ("Here, There and Everywhere") Harrison, in charge of opening track "Taxman", demonstrates many places on the album his recent interest in Indian music, not least his own "Love You To." Among Harrison's three contributions, I find "Taxman" by far the greatest, though one must acknowledge his ability and desire to seek new paths with his two other songs.

Psychedelia is evident on Lennon's songs "Tomorrow Never Knows" and "She Said, She Said". Both are among the most important songs on the album, without being melodically as strong as Lennon's best. The other three Lennon songs, "And Your Bird Can Sing", "I'm Only Sleeping" and "Dr. Robert" are more classic rock / blues, - though with very innovative guitar solo on "I'm Only Sleeping".

McCartney's songs are especially ranging far. His love of sentimental ballads is reflected on the beautiful "Eleanor Rigby" and "Here There and Everywhere". It is worth noting that McCartney with "Eleanor Rigby" demonstrates ability of lyrics with food for thought. McCartney vocally displays great form on the Motown-inspired "Got To Get You Into My Life". "Good Day Sunshine" is also a good number, with elements from both the music-hall, soul and Motown.

Ringo sings the silly "Yellow Submarine", which of course was extremely popular at its time, and even today is a popular melody for football chants. Despite the album’s versatility, it works fine as a whole, and like most of the group's output, it has become a milestone in rock history.

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