Revolver

The album that I am reviewing this week is the Beatles 7th studio album, “Revolver”.

History

First released in 1966, “Revolver” was the last album recorded by The Beatles before they quit touring live. It saw huge success The band had no intention on performing “revolver” live so they took many musical risks and took full advantage of new technology at the time.The album features the heaviest use of studio recording techniques in a Beatles album to date. Some of the techniques used are tape loops and reversed recording that gives song a more psychedelic feel. It’s influence is still being felt in the music world today. “Revolver” is often cited as to starting many sub genres in music such as psychedelic rock, progressive rock, and electronica. The album ranked at number 3 on Rolling Stone Magazine’s top 500 albums of all time and going 5x Platinum in the US alone.

Review

It is remarkable to think that this album was realeased in 1966. It sound so unique to so many of the other albums at the time. Some of the ways that the songs are recorded and some of the techniques used I do not see until the 70’s or the very late 60’s. All of that said, I don’t necessarily find it The Beatles most interesting album (that would have to go to Sgt. Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band). It is just not the album that I would go to pick up if I wanted to listen to The Beatles, but by no means do I think the album is bad.

Favorite song

So many of the songs on “Revovler” are so unique from each other that the only song that stands out on first listen is “Yellow Submarine” because of how simple and not unique it is, but perhaps this is because it was written as a children’s song. But if I had to choose one song that stands a bit above the rest, it would have to be “Elenor Rigby”. The song heavily features a string section, which is incredibly interesting for a rock song at the time and.really adds to the drama and mood of the song. The harmonies feel right and the song comes to a quick end leaving me wanting more, which is great because it is only the third song on the album so I can listen to plenty more.