The Beatles - Revolver
Parlophone
The lasting legacy of the Beatles is as timeless as time itself. The cultural seismic shift at their helm isn't to be understated, if it can be. The music business exists in two times - pre-Beatles and post-Beatles. They stand as the dividers between BC and AD of this thing that we call music. Things were like that now they're like this.
The fab four hint at psychedelia on Revolver. It can be looked upon as the turning point of the band toward a more experimental/psychedelic sound. In a similar way to the BC and AD statement above Revolver sits smack bang in the middle of the early 'boyhood' stage of the band and their later 'dabbled in and out of life' works. A few trips to Doctor Robert were on the cards. It's apparent from the get-go that they're not quite the same band as on previous releases. The studio treated '1 2 3 4' that rings the album to life doesn't exist pre-Revolver. Reversed sounds find themselves scattered throughout the album giving off the slightly unhinged and somewhat altered head space. Moving things forward seems to be the end goal for the Merseyside boys. The Beatles took influence from the Beach Boys 'Pet Sounds' released earlier in '66, which is known for its studio splicing and overall Brian Wilson wizardry, and its apparent.
Album closer 'Tomorrow Never Knows' exists within a vacuum. Is sounds like nothing and nothing sounds like it. If it was to be released again tomorrow it would remain a breathe of fresh air. The studio trickery and tape manipulation surpasses talent. It's something that reaches deep down beyond understanding. That electric feel that pulls ones life along its path is the only way that a track like that can be recorded. Never planned, only perfected.
Not many acts have an impact on both the mainstream world and the more underground scene. They cast their influence over it all. They came around at the right time with the right mindset and capabilities. They're not the greatest at their respected instruments but when they come together they're the epitome of what a band is. A complete unit. Their songwriting stands toe to toe with the best of them and you could argue that it doesn't really get much better. The standards that they're up against are their own.
They set the scene.
August 5th, 1966.
