| Product: |
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - The Beatles |
| Date: |
02.05.08 (99 review reads) |
| Rating: |
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Advantages: Some of the most innovative tracks ever recorded
Disadvantages: Can be a little 'naff' in places
Usually seeing myself as a rock/indie music kind of fan, definitely in tune with many unheard of American or Canadian artists from across the pond, it might seem a shock to some that I even gave this album a chance; I vaguely remember listening to some of the Beatles material as a young girl, my parents citing them as one of the best - if not the best - bands of all time.
When 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' was announced as the best pop record of all time earlier this year, I was sceptical to say the least; an album of 40 years of age ranking that high up? I did briefly wonder who had actually voted in the first place and whether they were in tune with more contemporary music!
None the less, my curiosity got the better of me and one night I decided to dig out the album for my own listening, not expecting the reaction I gave the album at all...
Track 1: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (2.02)
Starting us off is the albums title track. This song brings back fond memories of the Live 8 event a few years ago, as Paul McCartney bursts in song. This is really a good opener - gritty yet refreshing guitars and crowd like sound effects give this track a very 'real' effect.
Marks out of 10: 8.5 - some of the lyrics in the second verse could be seen as a little corny. All in good humour though!
Track 2: With a Little Help From My Friends (2.44)
Drummer Ringo Starr steps up to the microphone for this next track. With the song reaching number one in the British charts on three separate occasions (once with the Beatles, once with Joe Cocker in 1968 and with Wet Wet Wet twenty years later) this one is a favourite with fans and artists alike.
Marks out of 10: 8 - Ringo's voice may not be the best out of the band but seems a perfect fit for this tune. A song about friendship with comes to life with the backing vocals.
Track 3: Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds (3.28)
This in my opinion is one of the bands greatest songs. Obviously some speculation surrounded the song, especially with the initials (LSD), John Lennon stated that the song was written about a 'surreal landscape' drawn by his son, Julian. 'Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds' is a song that should be celebrated without drug speculation.
Marks out of 10: 9.5 - powerful lyrics that you can see in your minds eye, Lennon's voice helps to make this track haunting yet brilliant.
Track 4: Getting Better (2.47)
The album takes a turn for the worse in my opinion after such a great song. Contrary to the title, I thought this was one of the weaker songs on the album. The lyrics were a little bland to me but I think that the music - especially the guitar riffs - really saved this one. However, since then, this track certainly has grown on me and is strangely addictive!
Marks out of 10: 8 - Not one of my absolute favourites but good none the less!
Track 5: Fixing a Hole (2.36)
This one has a good baseline that you can really hear if you listen to the album through headphones. Apparently written about someone fixing a hole in the road by Paul, this is one of the more bizarre but intriguing Beatles tracks, speculated once again for its cryptic, drug like references.
Marks out of 10: 7.5 - it does come across as a bit dreary and isn't the albums greatest assets but still a good track.
Track 6: She's Leaving Home (3.35)
I remember this one from a concert that I went to about five or six years ago when I went to see Paul McCartney live. Even then I liked the arrangement and dramatic orchestra like instruments and I now think that the lyrics help tell a very good story about a girl who had left home never to be found.
Marks out of 10: 8.5 - a little sombre but well sung by both Paul and John. Based upon a true story to embrace its true melancholic state.
Track 7: Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite (2.37)
Strange but enjoyable to listen to, this sounds like it was intended to; a carnival and you can almost see a kite floating through the air. It seems a great shame that this one was banned from certain stations due to its supposed reference to drugs.
Marks out of 10: 8.5 - very realistic sound dubbing make this one of the most memorable tracks on Sgt. Pepper's. Unique.
Track 8: Within You Without You (5.05)
Handing the mic over to George Harrison, 'Within You Without You' had absolutely no input from any of the other band members but instead with a group of Indian musicians. This song changes the pace of the album quite dramatically, the sound actually being quite relaxing and soothing.
A mark out of 10: 8.5 - my only one reservation with this track is that perhaps it drones on for a bit too long. None the less, very original and unusual to have on a British pop record, especially for the 1960's.
Track 9: When I'm Sixty-Four (2.37)
A song written by Paul McCartney when he was just 16, this tracks very simple both musically and lyrically, at least to listen to. Now-a-days this track is surrounded by irony considering a rather messy, media fuel divorce by the lead singer. Bless!
Marks out of 10: 8 - enjoyably naff with undercurrents of important, age concerning questions. I love the olden day type speech to which is well placed within the context of the song.
Track 10: Lovely Rita (2.42)
One of the lighter tracks here, lyrically quite clever and well sung. Some conspiracy theorists claim there is evidence here for the whole 'Paul is Dead' scenario. I doubt it because of its overall good natured tone.
Marks out of 10: 8 - an easy track to listen to and very amusing!
Track 11: Good Morning Good Morning (2.41)
With the sound of a cockerel and 'Good morning, good morning!' repeated, the effect of early morning and an alarm like alert is presented very well. The inspiration apparently came from a Kellogg's cornflakes commercial! (nothing wrong with that!)
Marks out of 10: 8 - With a combination of the catchy chorus and saxophone, this one gets stuck in your head a little too easily but isn't one of the best tracks on here. It seems a bit generic lyrically compared to some of the other gems.
Track 12: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - Reprise (1.18)
This track helps to bring to life the essence of the album and the band taking on the roles of 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band'. However, this wasn't too explicit in the album but the Reprise could be seen as just a filler.
Marks out of 10: 8 - musically, very energetic and gears you up for the more reflective last track.
Track 13: A Day In The Life (5.33)
Quite melancholic, the inspiration was apparently from the death of one of the Beatles' friends. This is one of the songs that is sung and played to really show you effectively the full extent of the Lennon/McCartney writing duo as this was a combination of two separate songs. I just love the change of pace midway through to emphasise both parts!
Marks out of 10: 10 - a very good way to end the album.
The album boasts one of the most iconic pieces of artwork of any album. With many then past and present famous faces including Marilyn Monroe, the Beatles' personas of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band come to life before the albums even been played. The song lyrics and various random pictures are included in the sleeve, which I personally like. I'm not sure how much a copy can be obtained for as my parents got this CD many years ago - I simply borrowed it!
However, at the minute, you can get your copy for the following prices:
Amazon.co.uk - £8.47 (eligible for free super saver delivery)
Play.com - £11.99 (free delivery)
HMV.co.uk - £8.99 (free delivery)
The vinyl copy of this album is simply amazing; it really makes you sit back and think of this fine piece of musical evolution in its truest and most remarkable sense.
Although I may not say this is the best pop record of all time, I can fully understand why other's may say it is just that; innovation from the Beatles was certainly at its finest on this album - along with the one before it in 'Revolver' - and I'm sure Sgt. Pepper's will be celebrated for many years to come.
If it isn't, then the world's music taste has certainly gone mad!
(Note: Updated from a previous review written and displayed by myself MizzMolko on Ciao).
Summary: One of the most evolutionary pieces of music ever made!
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