The Beatles – Revolver

If you were to create a list of the top 10 albums of all time the usual suspects would be there. Fleetwood Mac with Rumours, The Beach Boys with Pet Sounds and even Nirvana with Nevermind. As music is subjective and open to different interpretation from listeners each list is different. With that said, there is one album that is consistently on top. That album is Revolver by The Beatles.

Revolver was released in the UK on August 5^th, 1966 and in the US three days later. With the release of this album, it was very evident that rock and roll was changing. It showed that the slow change’s society was undertaking in the 60’s was taking hold and ready to break through. Songs such as “Tomorrow Never Knows” and “Eleanor Rigby” showed that the formula producers and artists used to create rock up to that point could be altered.

This album stirs great controversy amongst avid music lovers. Some argue that this is the greatest album of all time. An example of a time when the group worked together at their creative peak. Detractors point to later Beatles albums like Sgt. Pepper’s as their greatest album. What can be agreed upon is that changes this album caused not only for The Beatles themselves but rock music can still be felt to this day.

My first experience with this album was a long time ago. I picked it from my dad’s extensive Vinyl collection because of the cover art. I had no idea about this album and had barely any idea who The Beatles were. I put the album on and had no idea that what I was listening to was one of music’s greatest albums. My dad, sensing that I hadn’t a clue, quickly put on “Yellow Submarine”. I was hooked. I must have listened to that song 1000 times before my interest moved elsewhere. As my taste in music matured I revisited some of albums in my dad’s collection. One of the first was Revolver. I listened to the album in full and sensed what so many before me had. This album was incredible.

I recommend listening to this album as soon as you can. Set some time aside, drop the needle and take in this masterpiece. And of course with all classic albums it is best if listened to in its original format, vinyl.

One quirky fact from this album. The Beatles contract with their studio EMI, expired in June of 1966, right in the middle of recording this album. They did not sign their new contract until 1967. This means they gave this album to EMI with no contractual obligation to do so.