Favourite Albums by The Beatles?

futuretiger9 · #1

It has become almost the consensus amongst music critics that the Beatles produced their best work between 1965 and 1967 (from Rubber Soul to Sgt. Pepper).

I would beg to differ. I used to regard Revolver as their best album, but over time I have gravitated more towards Abbey Road, and increasingly The White Album. What makes these albums interesting is the diversity of the songwriting, which was fuelled by the increasing tension in the band, particularly between Lennon and McCartney, and McCartney and Harrison. There is a real edge to the White Album, although on Abbey Road there is an impression of unity, probably prompted by the realisation that they were on the verge of breaking up.

Favourite Beatles albums?

#2

Rubber Soul. True story.

DoubleFault · #3

A Hard Days Night every time, closely followed by Help!

futuretiger9 · #4

DoubleFault wrote:A Hard Days Night every time, closely followed by Help!

I think Help is very under-rated as an album, probably because the film itself was not particularly well received.

#5

The movie Help is hilarious!

DoubleFault · #6

I havent seen it yet, ive got it on the V+ box somewhere. I finally got round to watching Hard Days Night the other day, didnt really know what to make of it.

"Who's this?"

"Thats Paul's grandad."

"He's a clean old man isn't he"

EB · #7

DoubleFault wrote:I havent seen it yet, ive got it on the V+ box somewhere. I finally got round to watching Hard Days Night the other day, didnt really know what to make of it.

"Who's this?"

"Thats Paul's grandad."

"He's a clean old man isn't he"

That line was a piss take of the comedy TV show Steptoe and Son, in which Wilfred Brambell's character was always being called "you dirty old man" by his son - Brambell also played Paul's grandad in Hard Day's Night.

futuretiger9 · #8

As a film, A Hard Day's Night still stands up quite well over four decades later. The fact that it was made in black and white made it seem quite "arty", and it had a sense of realism which Help perhaps lacked.

Talking of Beatles movies, has anybody seen Magical Mystery Tour?

#9

Abbey Road, easily. Side B (on the vinyl) is a masterpiece.

futuretiger9 · #10

PTRACER wrote:Abbey Road, easily. Side B (on the vinyl) is a masterpiece.

Very much so. That was the McCartney/George Martin partnership at its peak.
Abbey Road is also the best sounding Beatles album, in terms of the quality of the production.

Everso Biggyballies · #11

The White Double Album for me. Sgt Peppers behind that.

#12

It's musically a very strong album throughout, maybe more so than others. The only song on the album I cannot stand is I Want You (She's So Heavy). I skip the track every time...

futuretiger9 · #13

PTRACER wrote:It's musically a very strong album throughout, maybe more so than others. The only song on the album I cannot stand is I Want You (She's So Heavy). I skip the track every time...

Yes, I think they allowed John a little indulgence on that song.

One of the album's strengths is the prominent contribution of George Harrison, both as a songwriter (Here Comes The Sun, Something) and as a guitarist.

EB · #14

I don't really think of the Beatles as being an album sort of band, but if push came to shove, Rubber Soul.

#15

PTRACER wrote:It's musically a very strong album throughout, maybe more so than others. The only song on the album I cannot stand is I Want You (She's So Heavy). I skip the track every time...

I Want You (She's So Heavy) is awesome! Kind of psychedelic circus music.

A bit odd that that was the last song The Hellacopters ever played live.