Comments on: Help Me Understand The Beatles

By: Meade

Meade — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 00:10:22 +0000

The Beatles are horrid band that could not sing even on key, and barely play instruments. Their music in the start was actually decent Pop music- and they didnt act like they were anything special. Then they decided to become “Bigger Than Jesus” and add a lot of pretention and noise and sound effects to their music- which some people regard as “brilliant”- but more intelligent people might just see it the musical equivalent of cats on a fence. Elvis Presley, while he was a tad overrated, at least had some emotion and honesty in his music and he could sing on key and was great performer live. Beatles records belong in the trash can.

By: geoausch

geoausch — Tue, 16 Feb 2010 15:39:27 +0000

I’ll definitely give Sgt. Pepper’s a listen all the way through. I’m familiar with parts of the album–”When I’m 64″ and “Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds” are two Beatles tunes I find listenable on occassion. However, another “hit” from the album falls into a different catergory.

I realize that The Beatles wrote “With a Little Help From My Friends,” but in my opinion Joe Cocker did a much better job with it.

By: ppreu

ppreu — Sun, 14 Feb 2010 02:16:03 +0000

To me it’s a musical progression. Simple, catchy, pop tunes – in an era that sounded like syrup – and then with an almost measured progress into to complex, yet reachable tunes in their later years. If you haven’t yet, please just listen to Sgt. Pepper’s from start to finish. Don’t forget the times – Late ’60′s and some of this stuff had never been attempted in the main stream.

You can pick your order of albums – just remember the times.

—- and Abbey Road is pure genius; still, you must listen to it straight through

Enjoy!

By: geoausch

geoausch — Thu, 21 Jan 2010 07:24:17 +0000

Jon, I look forward to listening to some of the deeper cuts you recommended. I know I should have probably checked into Sgt. Pepper’s years ago and I definitely think that might be starting point.

Your recommendations from Abbey Road also sound really intriguing.

By: Jon

Jon — Wed, 20 Jan 2010 21:27:40 +0000

I don’t know how I stumbled on this blog. But, it’s really quite simple with the Beatles.

Either start at the beginning and work your way through. The White Album only makes sense as a “classic” when you see their progression from start to finish.

But, if you want a kick start – start in the middle with the sweet stuff – “Rubber Soul”‘s a good one. Cause, it’s got the transition between pure pop guys and the weird stuff to come later. Add the bookends of “Help” and “Revolver” next. If you like the more innocent stuff – go backwards. If you’re ready to bridge the gap to the White Album, then you’re ready for Sgt. Pepper’s and Abbey Road.

I actually think Sgt. Pepper’s and Abbey Road are their two best albums. But, you’re wanting perspective, so start with Rubber Soul.

Rubber Soul highlights
- Drive My Car – Fun pop with those great harmonies
- Norwegian Wood – Pure quiet weirdness
- Nowhere Man – Desperation, detachment, and perfect harmony in 2:44
- Michelle – For my money, as sing-along-able as The Police’s Roxanne.
- In My Life – Always brings a lump to my throat

Next, look at the shear number of monumental tracks they recorded, in essentially just 7 years.

Finally, I think the actual best Beatles song is the 3 song mash-up at the end of Abbey Road – Golden Slumbers – Carry That Weight – The End. It rivals any classic masterpiece. Especially for a band that 5 year earlier was essentially still copying Little Richard and Chuck Berry.