Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Review
This album has become like a "museum piece" because of the way people talk about it with such reverence. Unfortunately this means that not enough people are focusing on what makes the album special in the first place: the music. This article is an attempt to take this album out of the museum and into the ears by focusing on it's music instead of it's "historical significance."
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This opening track really sets the mood for the entire album. The song shifts styles abruptly just like the album does from song to song. And of course the crowd noise and the entire "Sgt. Pepper" concept are introduced here.
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - I know there are quite a few people who think that Joe Cocker really did the definitive version of this song, but I'm definitely not one of those people. I like Cocker's version, but the original contains the real magic to my ears.
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - This psychedelic journey through the mind of John Lennon remains one of the band's most famous songs. I love how it goes from the visions of the verse to the exciting sing along of the chorus.
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" - Another great reason to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set. This song sounds faster and higher (by a semitone) in the mono version. It's a treat to hear!
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" - This is a song that gets a lot of hate by a lot of people and that makes me sad. It makes me feel like they don't really "get it." This song is an essential part of what makes this album so brilliant.
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" - My least favorite song on the album. Yet I still think it's pretty great at times and it has some very interesting elements. I think that says a lot about how much I love this album.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's (Reprise)" - Rocks harder than the first version. I love how it ties the album together and it's brilliant how this closing version is "looser" just like a band may be looser at the end of a real show. And that's what the concept of this album was all about after all. The idea was that this album would "go on tour" rather than the band themselves.
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. - 18424
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This opening track really sets the mood for the entire album. The song shifts styles abruptly just like the album does from song to song. And of course the crowd noise and the entire "Sgt. Pepper" concept are introduced here.
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - I know there are quite a few people who think that Joe Cocker really did the definitive version of this song, but I'm definitely not one of those people. I like Cocker's version, but the original contains the real magic to my ears.
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - This psychedelic journey through the mind of John Lennon remains one of the band's most famous songs. I love how it goes from the visions of the verse to the exciting sing along of the chorus.
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" - Another great reason to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set. This song sounds faster and higher (by a semitone) in the mono version. It's a treat to hear!
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" - This is a song that gets a lot of hate by a lot of people and that makes me sad. It makes me feel like they don't really "get it." This song is an essential part of what makes this album so brilliant.
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" - My least favorite song on the album. Yet I still think it's pretty great at times and it has some very interesting elements. I think that says a lot about how much I love this album.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's (Reprise)" - Rocks harder than the first version. I love how it ties the album together and it's brilliant how this closing version is "looser" just like a band may be looser at the end of a real show. And that's what the concept of this album was all about after all. The idea was that this album would "go on tour" rather than the band themselves.
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. - 18424
About the Author:
Both of the Beatles Remastered CD Box Sets are recommended so that both the mono and stereo mixes of Sgt. Pepper can be heard. The The Beatles Mono Box Set is quite a revelation.
posted by X - Men at
2:11 AM
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