The Beatles' mid-sixties albums: innovation and artistic development

¶ … Beatles

Rubber Soul (1965) [UK version]

Rubber Soul is a spatial and open production, bedecked but not overfilled with novel ideas and instruments. Its songs resemble little vignettes of Pop Art, with the lyrics matching the arrangements and the melodies' quality. Even the straightforward, amusing rocker, Drive My Car, has been performed with tight grooviness, virtually twinkling in self-amusement. Lennon gets better than ever before with this album, via innovative, thoughtful classics like Girl, Nowhere Man, Norwegian Wood, and the magnificent In My Life. McCartney's poppier and lighter songs maintain a cheerful and fresh atmosphere and his tuneful bass-playing propels everything. (McCormick, 2009)

Revolver (1966) [UK version]

Revolver reflects the band in its most cohesive and artistic mood, while retaining self-expression. Considered the Beatles' greatest album, this album has so much happening: Sitars and tablas weave mystical magic in Love You Too; ripe horns flow across Got to Get You Into My Life; the first ever recorded backwards solo guitar-playing is seen in I'm Only Sleeping; tape loops, the spirit of madness, and mountainous drumming combine in Tomorrow Never Knows; beautiful harmonies roll out of Here, There and Everywhere; and even Ringo, known for his very worst songs, performs satisfactorily with Yellow Submarine (McCormick, The Beatles - Revolver, review, 2009)

Sergeant Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)

Using the alter ego disguise, the band had finally enabled its real self to emerge with this album. Apart from a few comparatively modest touches, alter egos did not make any obvious appearances in the album. A single glance at its cover expresses how far the band had developed since their initial state. In an era of stuffy musical formats, political conservatism, fixation on the past, and sexual fear, Sergeant Pepper's optimistic message -- that it is imperative to endeavor towards visionary breakthroughs and that they can be attained in all areas of life -- may be considered much more vital now, as compared to the last two decades (RollingStone, 1987).

Magical Mystery Tour (1967)

This lean album creates a sense of urgency, and lets listeners know that all calliope tapestries, trippy echoes, and cheerful whistles have a purpose. Overall, Magical Mystery Tour is a package of nearly the best Beatles had to offer, namely, "I Am the Walrus," "Hello / Goodbye," "All You Need Is Love," "Penny Lane," and "Strawberry Fields Forever." Its title track is also one of the best ever (Caffrey, 2009), with its new brass section sounding absolutely regal (one can even say "biblical"). McCartney's bass adds momentum to "Flying," while "Your Mother Should Know" induces feelings of nostalgia. Stellar moments in the first half of the album include Blue Jay Way's feeble tribal drumming and the spooky Hammond organ. The lyrically, philosophically, and musically resonant "All You Need Is Love" which carries a sincere universal message of benevolence, is the last item in the album (Caffrey, 2009).

The Beach Boys

Pet Sounds (1966)

The album's love songs commence with the theme of 60's adolescence, which lays the album's whole basis before listeners. "You Still Believe in Me" carries the theme some way farther, beyond past indiscretion to the reconciliatory "Don't Talk (Put Your Head on My Shoulder)," where Brian sings Tony Asher's gentle lyrics. The album also includes sensitive songs of self-doubt, nervousness, and sickness, namely "I'm Waiting for the Day," "That's Not Me," "I Know There's an Answer," and "God Only Knows." Each tune has a distinctive flavor, a small brilliant touch, which distinguishes it from the others (Davis, 1972). The album ends on a stoic note, with the angry blaster "Here Today" reflecting estrangement and distrust, in contrast to the earlier optimism. The affair ends bitterly; with the low-key "I Just Wasn't Made for These Times" expressing general disillusionment. The climax - "Caroline, No" -- is a haunting, heartbreaking, melancholic piece that reflects the hollowness and incredulity at losing one's lover (Davis, 1972).

Smiley Smile (1967) ("Heroes and Villains" taken from the "Smile Sessions" version.]

A sort of sequel of Pet Sounds, Smiley Smile portrays songs that are mostly strange experiments -- the "Woody Woodpecker Symphony," wraps wordless, twisting harmonies in ambience and spare instrumentation; the not-even-three-minute-long She's Going Bald rattles through peculiar lyrics, horror movie piano, and jazzy melodies, and Wonderful twists the plain pop ballad foundation with piercing harmonies and whispered vocals. The album also incorporates brilliant pop numbers like Good Vibrations and Heroes and Villains (SputnikMusic, 2010).

Wild Honey (1967)

This album introduces the raspingly spectacular Carl Wilson with "she's my girl!" After Smiley Smile's spooky otherworldliness, this album is strikingly normal. It includes the playful number "A Thing or Two" featuring Brian's funky chorus and the silly piece "I'd Love Just Once to See You" with its playful seventh chords leading into a kind of twinkly chorus splendor. Overall, the album is just marvelous to hear and clearly indicates the band's future white soul perfection (Abrams, 2012).

Friends (1968)

Its best cuts are its dedication "Meant for You," the mature, simple, warming and touching "Friends," Wake the World," "When a Man Needs a Woman" and "Be Here in the Morning." The band's smooth "Passing by" is their most fabulous instrumental. The second half includes the trite "Anna Lee" and the boring "Diamond Head." However, Steve Kalinich and Dennis Wilson save the day with the beautiful, emotional "Be Still" and "Little Bird," characterized by fine lyrics. "Transcendental Meditation," which experiments dubiously with jazz, is unfortunate. Brian's "Busy Doing Nothing" is a vernacular exposition, effectively evoking a serene mood (Schmidt, 1968).

Characteristics

Strengths of the band

Each Beatles member brought unique strengths to their band when they first came together. They learnt from one another and left with each other's strengths. The four, while unique, were in remarkable harmony, and were all equally essential for the blend (Frost, 2012).

The new five-member band, Beach Boys, portrayed a perfect California, with pretty girls, fabulous cars, perfect waves, and an ever-shining sun (perpetual good luck). With time, the band grew to favor a different type of perfection, whose basis was complex pop symphonies accompanied by unusual, complicated orchestration (Rockhall, n.d.).

Weaknesses of each band

Discord brought about the Beatles' ultimate break-up. Although conflict arose and Lennon quit, the Beatles persevered, with the 1969 Abbey Road enjoying the success befitting it. However, a month prior to Let It Be's release, Paul McCartney walked out on the team in public. The record was reportedly marred by considerable arguments and ultimate dissatisfaction with the end-product (Rockhall, The Beatles, n.d.).

Meanwhile, the Beach Boys' readiness to earn less with albums (but compensate for the difference through live shows) skidded to a halt with Endless Summer's release. The album combined songs composed before Pet Sounds, triggering a dreadful midlife crisis for the band. Although the band had lived extremely hard initially, and couldn't write or perform such music in ways that didn't appear forced and hokey, they strove anyway. However, the outcome was, unsurprisingly, depressing (Mcferrin, n.d.).

How is it the same?

The Beatles' pop rock concept is still used by numerous musicians and bands. Likewise, the Beach Boys' idealized versions are also still popular in music circles.

Comparison

What is the best album of each band and why?

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' (Beatles)

Besides being the last conflict-free work by the Beatles, Sergeant Peppers established the LP art form, influencing numerous succeeding rock groups. Singer Ringo claims the album was their "greatest endeavor." In his view, the best part about belonging to the Beatles was members' willingness to accept the best ideas, irrespective of who came up with them (RollingStone, Rolling Stone Readers Pick the Top 10 Beatles Albums, 2011).

Pet Sounds (Beach Boys)

This album effectively invented and perfected the concept of an album being more than just a sum total of its songs, with its lyrics, vivid orchestration, coherent themes, and elegant pacing (RollingStone, 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, 2012).

What is the best song of each album and why?

It's hard to choose between the scorching title song; the gem of a song, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds; the lovely piece, She's Leaving Home; the unique and beautiful A Day in the Life, and the exquisite composition Fixing a Hole (McCormick, The Beatles - Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, review, 2009).

Jim Fusilli wrote "God Only Knows" in less than an hour. According to him, the title was inspired by Wilson's love letter to Marilyn, his wife, dated 1964, where he signed off with the line "Yours until God wants us apart." The above reference to the Lord left the collaborators in a dilemma (Runtagh, 2016).

What is the best album between the two bands and why?

Pet Sounds prominently features barking dogs, echoed by the Beatles in Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, thus acknowledging that the former album inspired the latter. In my view, the original inspiration (Pet Sounds) is superior. Further, Wilson originally thought up Pet Sounds in a bid to outshine Rubber Soul (RollingStone, 500 Greatest Albums of All Time, 2012).

What is the best song between the two bands and why?

The best song is Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which starts with an audience chattering and an orchestra preparing to perform. Soon, one hears the guitar riff and McCartney's incredibly boisterous voice singing an exceptionally catchy melody (Ignacio, n.d.).

Which is the best band and why?

Although I regard the Beach Boys deeply for their wonderful contributions to, no band in history has succeeded in achieving the Beatles' level of influence and consistency. The band inspired numerous artists from diverse styles and genres, right from Christina Perri and Jason Mraz (pop) to Black Sabbath, Soundgarden, Queen, and Deep Purple (hard rock). Even the work of fusion and jazz musicians like George Benson and Al Di Meola shows the Beatles' influence. Meanwhile, the Beach Boys have failed to display that standard of consistency, and their later albums have been forgettable and subpar (Timothy, 2015).