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" - 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" - Now that the original mono version is available easily (with the release of The Beatles in Mono Box Set) it's great to be able to hear what this album sounds like in mono (how it was "meant to be heard" originally.) And the heavy vocal effects on this song is probably one of the more interesting things about the mono mixes for me.
04. "Getting Better" - The "it couldn't get much worse" lyric that Lennon added to this McCartney song is such a great example of the way that Lennon and McCartney made each others songs better even when they weren't righting them "eyeball to eyeball" like in the early days.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - Possibly the best lyrics Paul McCartney ever wrote. Another one of my favorites on an album filled with favorites.
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" - How brilliant is it that these lyrics were taken entirely from an 1800s circus poster that Lennon came across? I believe a big part of real genius is being able to be inspired by things that most people wouldn't notice. This is a good example of that.
08. "Within You Without You" - Speaking of "far out" how about we go all the way to India? Some people don't like this song because it doesn't fit with their preconceived notions of what music is supposed to sound like. To me this song is brilliant because of that very reason. We shouldn't limit ourselves.
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!
10. "Lovely Rita" - I definitely enjoy this song as well but I must say that I do think tracks #10 and #11 are the least interesting tracks on the 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 (Reprise)" - This one is even better than the album opener. It rocks something fierce!
13. "A Day in the Life" - The greatest song ever.
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" - 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" - Now that the original mono version is available easily (with the release of The Beatles in Mono Box Set) it's great to be able to hear what this album sounds like in mono (how it was "meant to be heard" originally.) And the heavy vocal effects on this song is probably one of the more interesting things about the mono mixes for me.
04. "Getting Better" - The "it couldn't get much worse" lyric that Lennon added to this McCartney song is such a great example of the way that Lennon and McCartney made each others songs better even when they weren't righting them "eyeball to eyeball" like in the early days.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - Possibly the best lyrics Paul McCartney ever wrote. Another one of my favorites on an album filled with favorites.
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" - How brilliant is it that these lyrics were taken entirely from an 1800s circus poster that Lennon came across? I believe a big part of real genius is being able to be inspired by things that most people wouldn't notice. This is a good example of that.
08. "Within You Without You" - Speaking of "far out" how about we go all the way to India? Some people don't like this song because it doesn't fit with their preconceived notions of what music is supposed to sound like. To me this song is brilliant because of that very reason. We shouldn't limit ourselves.
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!
10. "Lovely Rita" - I definitely enjoy this song as well but I must say that I do think tracks #10 and #11 are the least interesting tracks on the 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 (Reprise)" - This one is even better than the album opener. It rocks something fierce!
13. "A Day in the Life" - The greatest song ever.
About the Author:
The Beatles In Mono Box includes the original mono mix of Sgt. Pepper's. The Beatles In Stereo includes all of The Beatles albums in remastered stereo.
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