Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Review
I think because of the massive amount of attention that is given to this album's so called "historical significance" that sometimes not enough attention is given to the music itself. I hope to correct that imbalance with this review which focuses entirely on the album's 13 tracks.
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This is a brilliant way to start the album and it really sets the mood for the entire thing. The "concept" of the album is really quite loose, without this song there is no concept album! One thing I really dig about this song is the crazy horns section. Can you imagine many "rock bands" of today having the imagination to include something like that in their song?
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - The perfect song for Ringo Starr to sing. John Lennon & Paul McCartney wrote this song together specifically for Ringo to sing which I think makes the great lyrics all that much greater (think of them in that context.)
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - One of the bands most famous songs. This is a great one to listen to in mono (you have to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set) because it sounds so much different in mono than it does in stereo. There's a lot more effect on the vocal in mono!
04. "Getting Better" - This song so perfectly encapsulates the sound of this album and what it's all about to me.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - Tracks 4 through 6 are a beautiful slice of McCartney magic and I think this is actually my favorite of that great trio of songs.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - This song is very interesting to hear in mono because it's actually sped up (and thus pitched up) in the mono mix. It has a lot more energy that way. Definitely worth a listen!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - What a deliciously weird song this is. It's brilliant how "far out" this album takes you. It's like a journey to different parts of the world (and certainly there is time traveling involved as well.)
08. "Within You Without You" - I know a lot of people just can't get down with this kind of music but I certainly can. It's a really tripped out journey into the center of your own mind or is that your own heart? Or perhaps it's India!
09. "When I'm Sixty-Four" - I love how quickly the musical styles change with this album. We go from a carnival to India to music hall!
11. "Lovely Rita" - I have to admit that tracks #10 and #11 are probably my least favorites on the album. But considering I quite like both of those tracks, that says a lot about how much I love this album.
11. "Good Morning Good Morning" - John was inspired by a Kellogg's Corn Flakes commercial to write this song. Pretty cool lead guitar bits played by Paul.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" - This song, of course, ties together the whole album by linking us back to the first song. It gives the impression that everything we've been hearing (even though it's all of these wildly different styles) has been a part of one big performance by this fictional band.
13. "A Day in the Life" - This is the best example of John & Paul combining their ideas to be something greater than they were on their own. This is also the best song ever recorded by anyone. It's just pure brilliance. - 23812
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This is a brilliant way to start the album and it really sets the mood for the entire thing. The "concept" of the album is really quite loose, without this song there is no concept album! One thing I really dig about this song is the crazy horns section. Can you imagine many "rock bands" of today having the imagination to include something like that in their song?
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - The perfect song for Ringo Starr to sing. John Lennon & Paul McCartney wrote this song together specifically for Ringo to sing which I think makes the great lyrics all that much greater (think of them in that context.)
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - One of the bands most famous songs. This is a great one to listen to in mono (you have to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set) because it sounds so much different in mono than it does in stereo. There's a lot more effect on the vocal in mono!
04. "Getting Better" - This song so perfectly encapsulates the sound of this album and what it's all about to me.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - Tracks 4 through 6 are a beautiful slice of McCartney magic and I think this is actually my favorite of that great trio of songs.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - This song is very interesting to hear in mono because it's actually sped up (and thus pitched up) in the mono mix. It has a lot more energy that way. Definitely worth a listen!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - What a deliciously weird song this is. It's brilliant how "far out" this album takes you. It's like a journey to different parts of the world (and certainly there is time traveling involved as well.)
08. "Within You Without You" - I know a lot of people just can't get down with this kind of music but I certainly can. It's a really tripped out journey into the center of your own mind or is that your own heart? Or perhaps it's India!
09. "When I'm Sixty-Four" - I love how quickly the musical styles change with this album. We go from a carnival to India to music hall!
11. "Lovely Rita" - I have to admit that tracks #10 and #11 are probably my least favorites on the album. But considering I quite like both of those tracks, that says a lot about how much I love this album.
11. "Good Morning Good Morning" - John was inspired by a Kellogg's Corn Flakes commercial to write this song. Pretty cool lead guitar bits played by Paul.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)" - This song, of course, ties together the whole album by linking us back to the first song. It gives the impression that everything we've been hearing (even though it's all of these wildly different styles) has been a part of one big performance by this fictional band.
13. "A Day in the Life" - This is the best example of John & Paul combining their ideas to be something greater than they were on their own. This is also the best song ever recorded by anyone. It's just pure brilliance. - 23812
About the Author:
Buy The Beatles Mono Box Set in order to hear the original mono mix of Sgt. Pepper's. The Beatles In Stereo includes all of The Beatles albums in remastered stereo.
posted by X - Men at
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