Music
Store

At the time it came out, I was 12, but even then it was clear that we were no longer in Pepperland or on a Magical Mystery Tour. This album wasn't yet more "progress" toward some new musical form. Musically, it embraced values never before associated with the Beatles as I understood them: Parody, pastiche, rock and roll revivalism, music-hall nostalgia, avant-garde experimentation, political agitation, intimate confession, trivial nonsense. It is, simply, a series of highly personal statements from the three songwriters, coalescing around no particular theme other than the right to personal expression.

"The Beatles" is not, to me, "the sound of the Beatles breaking up." That's the storyline a lot of Beatle historians apply to this album. If they're basing this judgement on the fact that the individual songwriters' imprints are on each song, you'd have to argue that the breakup began much earlier, around the time of "Beatles for Sale" or "Help!" Lennon-McCartney were rarely a songwriting "team" in the sense of George and Ira Gershwin. Their partnership was always about strategy, i.e. how to ensure that third-rate songs would not be included on albums just for the sake of fairness. "The Beatles" instead simply shows the evolution of each of the three songwriters (on this album, George emerges dramatically) as they each embraced new musical ideas and applied their life experiences to their art. Having helped break all the molds for what was acceptable songwriting in their previous work, they each now proceeded to take full advantage of the freedom they'd won. Some of the dumber cuts on "The Beatles" demonstrate, perhaps, the expression "freedom's just another word for nothing left to lose." Paul, in particular, seemed frightened to step out too often without the crutch of some existing form that he could parody or pay tribute to, i.e. "Honey Pie," "Back in the USSR" or "Rocky Racoon." But, while you can say that, you have to acknowledge that in this massive album, there are perhaps half a dozen Paul songs that are among his best and most original: "I Will," "Blackbird," "Mother Nature's Son," "Helter Skelter" for four examples.

Lennon's direction was to become more nakedly confessional, as befits someone who was dealing with such turbulent emotions at the time. He gives us some of his most beautiful songs, like "Dear Prudence," and some of his most intense, like "I'm So Tired," "Revolution," "Yer Blues," and "Sexy Sadie." Often, as in "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill," "Glass Onion," or "Everybody Has Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey," he seems to be writing in code, and that sense of allusiveness gives the album much of its cracked character. And of course, he's the guy who assembled the collage, "Revolution 9," which is to rock and roll what "Finnegans Wake" is to English literature--a dream that floats between meaning and nothingness.

George seems to be captured here in a moment of great self-discovery as an artist; you can hear his talent finally come together in "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," which I remember at age 12 was to my ears the best thing on the album--and still seems to be so. Prior to the White Album, he had these cautious little songs on the early albums, and then embraced India, which while sometimes satisfying seemed weird and out of place. His songs here sets the stage for "Something," "Here Comes the Sun" and then his monumental early solo work. At age 12, I thought "Long, Long, Long" was a emotional powerhouse--and I still do.

A few months after I got "The Beatles," the Charles Manson murders took place, and eventually the DA made the case that somehow, insanely, the murders were inspired by songs on this album. Around the same time, the media were full of bizarre speculation that Paul McCartney was dead, and that clues were all over this album. It's no accident that half-insane people might mine "The Beatles" for hidden messages and evidence of conspiracies. The world it depicts is strange and almost claustrophobic--all the more so for its haphazard approach and its odd switches in tone from childish delight to fiendish paranoia. But even those of us who live normal lives and dream normal dreams can acknowledge that "The Beatles" has a hold on your consciousness that is unlike anything else the group did, and unlike anything else that came out of the rock era.


"I got blisters on my fingers!"   February 1, 2003
 170 out of 225 found this review helpful

Don't get me wrong, this is a great collection of tunes. Recorded in 1968, The Beatles aka "The White Album" has arguably generated more debate than any other Beatles LP. This album is also the beginning of a lot of inner turmoil within the group, which might explain some of the dysfunction. The Beatles had done the India thing, Ringo quit for a few days, and Yoko Ono was hanging out in the studio.
The Beatles got away from the studio tricks of Sgt. Peppers and Magical Mystery Tour era songs, especially with the more organic, acoustic-guitar based tracks they wrote in India. "Dear Prudence," "Blackbird," and "Mother Nature's Son" are all very beautiful songs. There are straight ahead rock numbers like "Back in the USSR" with its mock Beach Boys chorus and twisted Russian lyrics. Paul plays drums on both Prudence and USSR. Other tunes like "Birthday" and "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey" proved the Beatles could still really rock, and "Helter Skelter" is raw metal.
If George Martin had had his way, this would have been a classic single album, but we would have missed quirky tunes like "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" with Yoko's warbled "but when he looked so fierce" lyric. Or the multi-style, multi-time signature "Happiness is a Warm Gun" with some bizarre John Lennon lyrics and not so hidden theme.
The best song of this set is George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with its haunting rhythm, world-weary lyrics and Eric Clapton guitar solo. There's a beautiful, intimate solo acoustic version on Anthology 3 that's not to be missed.

Why do I give this only four stars?
1. It's disjointed, like it was thrown together with no sense of dynamic. "While My Guitar" is sandwiched between "Bungalow Bill" and "Warm Gun." Really loud songs are right next to really quiet songs, with no cushion.
2. Paul was pretty self-indulgent at this point, with "Wild Honey Pie," "Why Don't We Do it in the Road" and "Honey Pie." I think Honey Pie has a nice melody, but when Paul sings "I like this kind of music" it's a direct poke at Lennon's disdain for Paul's "granny songs."
3. Revolution 9. Love it or hate it, this experimental avant garde montage should have been released on a John and Yoko solo work. Thankfully, they had Ringo sing "Goodnight" to close the record and bring us back to earth.


Oh, it's only why the next 35 years ever happened....   November 13, 2003
 66 out of 103 found this review helpful

I've heard praise heaped on many bands, none of them can stand in a room with any of the Beatles. I don't understand how such an unbelievable force, a formative energy for the evolution of culture, could have existed in any way that touched my own lifetime. How can a single band, just four guys playing ordinary instruments, create music with such brilliance that it will never find a rival? The only answer to any question about the Beatles is that they were THE BEATLES. Every Beatles album is the best at what it does. Rubber Soul is the most sublimely perfect record to come out of the early rock renaissance, and Revolver has become the best and most beautiful representation of its evolution. Sgt. Pepper began a revolution that has not ended, a revolution that will never end so long as anyone recalls even a faint echo of its genius. If you ever want to be in a band, do anything, or go anywhere in rock, though, you need the White Album. Any band that did anything interesting from 1968 on could because of the white album. It's everything, it's the ultimate rock and roll band making the ultimate rock and roll statement. This album is artistic posturing, it is oppulent indulgence, it is self absorbed, but in a way that makes you believe they wrote the whole damn thing just for you. It IS the legend, it's the litmus test for whether someone is cool enough to actually be a Beatles guy. Pete Townshend had his gaudy "rock operas", Led Zeppelin trashed their hotel rooms and wore tight jeans, the Beatles proved that Rock and Roll that was sometimes less polished and gritty could carry genius and not just testosterone. Nothing about the white album is mindless, and yet it is so COMPLETELY rock and roll. The White Album is it, this is the invention of the Rock and Roll persona. The album showcases John Lennon in some of his most free spirited moments, Paul McCartney in rare moments spent away from his glistening bubbling and in experimentation. ERIC CLAPTON guests on this album. He GUESTS, ERIC PATRICK CLAPTON is not cool enough to be in this band. This album is that legendary, so all you damn new bands, listen to it. Forget about punk, forget Zeppelin, forget your cool music scenes or whatever you all call them. If you want to be worth anything, get this album, know it by heart, shut up and play. You guys don't know anything until the greatness of this band makes you cry. The Beatles proved that our music is worth everything, they are our band, there will never be a greater.


Five Stars and more!   September 30, 2000
 59 out of 91 found this review helpful

This is a classic album. It is what legends are made. Lets analyze it step by step

Back in the USSR is classic Beatles rock 'n' roll. A humourus and upbeat to start the album.

Dear Prudence is one of John Lennon's best with the Beatles. It is a beautiful and heartwarming ballad.

Glass Onion is the complete opposite. Totally pshychadelic and skeptical. Great song!

Ob-la-Di Ob-La-Da is another change of beats. Unlike its predecessor this is a charming and happy reggae song.

Wild Honey Pie is a joke song by Paul. While it is weak, it is fits in nicely with the chemistry of the album.

Bungalow Bill is another joke song, and is the perfect comic book plot. However the voice of Yoko Ono hurts the quality of it.

While my Guitar Gently Weeps is haunting and depressing. George Harrison's singing is just as much as is Eric Clapton's play. The Beatles and Eric Clapton is a truly unstoppable combination

Happiness is a Warm Gun is an unusual songs. Though not top quality, it is still interesting pure rock to listen to.

Martha My Dear is a wonderfully writen Paul McCartney Ballad.

I'm so Tired will keep you humming and singing for days. Excellent John Lennon song

Blackbird is another McCartney beauty and there are many on this double album.

Piggies is a George Harrison song, though others must see something in it I don't. It has a catchy tune but the lyrics are ridiculous.

Rocky Raccoon is a great Country Western piece, and the perfect song for a western movie.

Don't Pass Me Buy is also a nice song for someone who likes country-western music. Ringo's singing is not so bad on this one.

Why don't We Do It in the Road? is another joke song by Paul. It probably is weak but it is certainly humourous rock song.

I Will and Julia are excellent ballads. I Will is another beautiful ballad by Paul though the standout is Julia.

Julia is no doubt one of John Lennon's best Beatle songs, second perhaps to Across the Universe.

Birthday is the perfect rocker for your next party.

Yer Blues is a classic electric blues piece that proves the Beatles can play the blues.

Paul writes yet another beautiful ballad in Mother Nature's Son. It is his best song on the album.

Me and My Monkey is a great rocker though like Warm Gun has unusual lyrics.

Sexy Sadie is a slightly jazzy song by Lennon. Great to listen to.

For the punk rock fan Helter Skelter is your favorite. No doubt this will get up and pumped.

Long Long Long puts a bucket of water on the fire of Helter Skelter. This is the most beautiful ballad to listen to on the album.

Revolution 1 is a classic. Sure its slow but who cares. It is much more catchy than the fast version.

Honey Pie is a ridicously corny piece for those who like to listen to twenties and fourties music.

Savoy Truffle is a great one by George Harrison. A classic fast paced rocker.

Cry Baby Cry is a nice lightweight piece to listen to and has a catchy tune though the lyrics are hardly top notch.

Revolution 9 is a haunting montage of sounds. It is a very intrestring piece despite its criticism.

Good Night closes out the album. It is a beautiful lullabye for your young one. Although the strings make it heavy to listen to.

Conclusion: This a very diverse album with a song for all your moods. It is a classic, and a must for any rock 'n' roll fan. It deserves ten stars...END


No real faults - but listen also with eyes, nose and heart   July 2, 2003
 59 out of 86 found this review helpful

Track where these songs take you . . .

Picture this setting if you will: 10-12 university freshmen and sophomore friends sitting and lying around Gail and Debbie's room in Alice Lloyd dorm listening to this for the very first time, and then again, and again, and again. I don't remember if we went all night; I do know the volume wasn't up very high and no one was under the influence of anything other than the Beatles music. It was one of those more magical moments of our young lives.

Oddly enough, none of these new songs seemed foreign or odd - we'd already been exposed to so much back in those days. The overall flow was just beautiful and very compelling. Altogether, it was a most glorious night of warmth and quiet sharing.

So now when I attempt to review this or that song from that collection, I feel constrained not to be critical of this and that. Instead I would rather travel back in my mind's eye and my heart of hearts - to the memory of what had been and what in another sense always is.

So many of us were possibly more infatuated with the Beatles at that time than maybe any other performers then or since. I've always hesitated reviewing their work, fearing that I might sound too glib. That's why I'm resisting (for once) the tendency to be analytical, or to search my psyche for the nearest hovering sound bite or clever spin. Come what may, I'm going to leave the thrust of discourse to arise from the Beatles' songs themselves.