This will be a Beatles post.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help!_(album)
People talk about The Beatles’ artistic growth with 1965’s “Rubber Soul” and, to me the better album, 1966’s “Revolver.” That’s when they moved away from the “I Want To Hold Your Hand” songs into music and lyrics a bit more thoughtful, a bit more mature.
But no one ever considers the album that remains one of my favorites, the one preceding “Rubber Soul,” the “Help!” album.
“Help!” was released in 1965, the same year as “Rubber Soul,” and I hear a lot of the same elements in both records. Maybe “Help!” is overlooked because it’s “just” a “soundtrack” album? Maybe to some people that means it doesn’t count?
If so, you need to re-evaluate.
“Help!” is a wonderful transitional album. It’s The Beatles moving away from the pop/rock hits that established them, into more personal songs. John Lennon admitted this, saying the song “Help!” was an autobiographical expression of his state of mind. But just look at the lineup on this album and tell me it’s an inconsequential album:
The first few Beatles albums were great, but they were great in youth, energy, immaculate organic rock and roll, and enthusiasm. The fourth one doesn’t do much for me, “Beatles For Sale.” Some disagree. My friend Todd Fredericks comes to mind. He has a fantastic-sounding early pressing of this. But musically the album seems like a lull to me, a weary obligation during an overworked period.
After “Beatles For Sale” the band seems to have rested up for a bit, then filmed and recorded “Help!”
I read an article yesterday or the day before criticizing “Help!” This is my answer to that writer, whoever he is (I forget where I read it). "Help!" is an essential Beatles album, and remains one of my personal favorites.
But no one ever considers the album that remains one of my favorites, the one preceding “Rubber Soul,” the “Help!” album.
“Help!” was released in 1965, the same year as “Rubber Soul,” and I hear a lot of the same elements in both records. Maybe “Help!” is overlooked because it’s “just” a “soundtrack” album? Maybe to some people that means it doesn’t count?
If so, you need to re-evaluate.
“Help!” is a wonderful transitional album. It’s The Beatles moving away from the pop/rock hits that established them, into more personal songs. John Lennon admitted this, saying the song “Help!” was an autobiographical expression of his state of mind. But just look at the lineup on this album and tell me it’s an inconsequential album:
- The Night Before
- You've Got to Hide Your Love Away
- Another Girl
- You're Going to Lose That Girl
- Ticket to Ride
- I've Just Seen a Face
- Yesterday
Maybe it's because the US release of the album had a Side A of Beatles songs, and a Side B of instrumental tracks from the movie. But the UK version of "Help!" is the one to get, all Beatles tracks. (The current US release now matches the original UK release.)
The first few Beatles albums were great, but they were great in youth, energy, immaculate organic rock and roll, and enthusiasm. The fourth one doesn’t do much for me, “Beatles For Sale.” Some disagree. My friend Todd Fredericks comes to mind. He has a fantastic-sounding early pressing of this. But musically the album seems like a lull to me, a weary obligation during an overworked period.
After “Beatles For Sale” the band seems to have rested up for a bit, then filmed and recorded “Help!”
I read an article yesterday or the day before criticizing “Help!” This is my answer to that writer, whoever he is (I forget where I read it). "Help!" is an essential Beatles album, and remains one of my personal favorites.
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