The Beatles: "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club..."
Sept 10, 2009 19:23:17 GMT -5
Post by Deleted on Sept 10, 2009 19:23:17 GMT -5
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was the Beatles' eighth studio album. Released in 1967, it is frequently cited as one of the most influential albums of all time. It debuted at #8 on both the Billboard 200 and the UK albums chart (although it entered the latter based on street date violations), going on to spend 15 and 27 weeks at number one respectively.
Groundbreaking in the development of albums as cohesive works, it was acclaimed by The Times as 'a decisive moment in the history of Western civilization'. It is also well known for it's iconic cover art.
The record was originally planned to be a concept album based on the fictional band of the title, lead by one Billy Shears. However, only a few songs were recorded following said concept, and the only real remnants of it can be found in the opening titular interlude, Ringo Starr's rousing second track "With A Little Help From My Friends" and a reprise on the second side. The first Beatles album to be released with the same track listing all over the world, Pepper's then continues on to "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". Controversial at the time due to it's barely disguised reference to LSD, "Lucy" would later be taken to number one in the US by Elton John. "Getting Better", a wry but upbeat number with Indian influences follows, then "Fixing A Hole", one of my personal favourites. Another drug based tale, it it succeeded buy "She's Leaving Home", the heartbreaking tale of a young runaway that was based on a true story. Later covered by the Bee Gees, "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite" closes the first side of the album. The weaker second half opens with yet another Indian-influenced ode to cannabis in George Harrison's "Within You, Without You". Unpopular among many fans and John Lennon, but a guilty pleasure of mine, "When I'm Sixty-Four" is typical but enjoyable McCartney fluff. The rest of the album doesn't do much for me, bar the closer "A Day In The Life", which is often a feature of 'greatest songs of all time' lists. Again based on a true story, it also features numerous drug references ('I'd love to turn you on...') and is easily the most adventurous song on the record, both sonically and structurally.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was one of, if not the, defining album in my musical education. I found it to be a revelation, a doorway to another world. Although it is far from their best album and not one of my favourites now, it still holds a special place in my heart and I appreciate the chance to spaz out about it Blackout-style, although I doubt anyone will have read my commentary in full. ;)
Groundbreaking in the development of albums as cohesive works, it was acclaimed by The Times as 'a decisive moment in the history of Western civilization'. It is also well known for it's iconic cover art.
The record was originally planned to be a concept album based on the fictional band of the title, lead by one Billy Shears. However, only a few songs were recorded following said concept, and the only real remnants of it can be found in the opening titular interlude, Ringo Starr's rousing second track "With A Little Help From My Friends" and a reprise on the second side. The first Beatles album to be released with the same track listing all over the world, Pepper's then continues on to "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds". Controversial at the time due to it's barely disguised reference to LSD, "Lucy" would later be taken to number one in the US by Elton John. "Getting Better", a wry but upbeat number with Indian influences follows, then "Fixing A Hole", one of my personal favourites. Another drug based tale, it it succeeded buy "She's Leaving Home", the heartbreaking tale of a young runaway that was based on a true story. Later covered by the Bee Gees, "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite" closes the first side of the album. The weaker second half opens with yet another Indian-influenced ode to cannabis in George Harrison's "Within You, Without You". Unpopular among many fans and John Lennon, but a guilty pleasure of mine, "When I'm Sixty-Four" is typical but enjoyable McCartney fluff. The rest of the album doesn't do much for me, bar the closer "A Day In The Life", which is often a feature of 'greatest songs of all time' lists. Again based on a true story, it also features numerous drug references ('I'd love to turn you on...') and is easily the most adventurous song on the record, both sonically and structurally.
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band was one of, if not the, defining album in my musical education. I found it to be a revelation, a doorway to another world. Although it is far from their best album and not one of my favourites now, it still holds a special place in my heart and I appreciate the chance to spaz out about it Blackout-style, although I doubt anyone will have read my commentary in full. ;)