I think because of the massive amount of attention that is given to this album's so called "historical significance" that sometimes not enough attention is given to the music itself. I hope to correct that imbalance with this review which focuses entirely on the album's 13 tracks.
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This is a brilliant way to start the album and it really sets the mood for the entire thing. The "concept" of the album is really quite loose, without this song there is no concept album! One thing I really dig about this song is the crazy horns section. Can you imagine many "rock bands" of today having the imagination to include something like that in their song?
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - The perfect song for Ringo Starr to sing. John Lennon & Paul McCartney wrote this song together specifically for Ringo to sing which I think makes the great lyrics all that much greater (think of them in that context.)
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - One of the bands most famous songs. This is a great one to listen to in mono (you have to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set) because it sounds so much different in mono than it does in stereo. There's a lot more effect on the vocal in mono!
04. "Getting Better" - The "it couldn't get much worse" lyric that Lennon added to this McCartney song is such a great example of the way that Lennon and McCartney made each others songs better even when they weren't righting them "eyeball to eyeball" like in the early days.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - Possibly the best lyrics Paul McCartney ever wrote. Another one of my favorites on an album filled with favorites.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - Another great reason to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set. This song sounds faster and higher (by a semitone) in the mono version. It's a treat to hear!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - How brilliant is it that these lyrics were taken entirely from an 1800s circus poster that Lennon came across? I believe a big part of real genius is being able to be inspired by things that most people wouldn't notice. This is a good example of that.
08. "Within You Without You" - Speaking of "far out" how about we go all the way to India? Some people don't like this song because it doesn't fit with their preconceived notions of what music is supposed to sound like. To me this song is brilliant because of that very reason. We shouldn't limit ourselves.
09. "When I'm 64" - Check out this song sequencing. We went from a 1800s circus to India to do some meditating and now we're enjoying ourselves this very tongue in cheek music hall number. So many differnet styles of music are explored on this album, and they are all done brilliantly.
11. "Lovely Rita" - I have to admit that tracks #10 and #11 are probably my least favorites on the album. But considering I quite like both of those tracks, that says a lot about how much I love this album.
11. "Good Morning Good Morning" - My least favorite song on the album. Yet I still think it's pretty great at times and it has some very interesting elements. I think that says a lot about how much I love this album.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's (Reprise)" - Rocks harder than the first version. I love how it ties the album together and it's brilliant how this closing version is "looser" just like a band may be looser at the end of a real show. And that's what the concept of this album was all about after all. The idea was that this album would "go on tour" rather than the band themselves.
13. "A Day in the Life" - In my opinion this is the best song ever written. An absolutely epic way to end the album.
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This is a brilliant way to start the album and it really sets the mood for the entire thing. The "concept" of the album is really quite loose, without this song there is no concept album! One thing I really dig about this song is the crazy horns section. Can you imagine many "rock bands" of today having the imagination to include something like that in their song?
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - The perfect song for Ringo Starr to sing. John Lennon & Paul McCartney wrote this song together specifically for Ringo to sing which I think makes the great lyrics all that much greater (think of them in that context.)
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - One of the bands most famous songs. This is a great one to listen to in mono (you have to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set) because it sounds so much different in mono than it does in stereo. There's a lot more effect on the vocal in mono!
04. "Getting Better" - The "it couldn't get much worse" lyric that Lennon added to this McCartney song is such a great example of the way that Lennon and McCartney made each others songs better even when they weren't righting them "eyeball to eyeball" like in the early days.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - Possibly the best lyrics Paul McCartney ever wrote. Another one of my favorites on an album filled with favorites.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - Another great reason to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set. This song sounds faster and higher (by a semitone) in the mono version. It's a treat to hear!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - How brilliant is it that these lyrics were taken entirely from an 1800s circus poster that Lennon came across? I believe a big part of real genius is being able to be inspired by things that most people wouldn't notice. This is a good example of that.
08. "Within You Without You" - Speaking of "far out" how about we go all the way to India? Some people don't like this song because it doesn't fit with their preconceived notions of what music is supposed to sound like. To me this song is brilliant because of that very reason. We shouldn't limit ourselves.
09. "When I'm 64" - Check out this song sequencing. We went from a 1800s circus to India to do some meditating and now we're enjoying ourselves this very tongue in cheek music hall number. So many differnet styles of music are explored on this album, and they are all done brilliantly.
11. "Lovely Rita" - I have to admit that tracks #10 and #11 are probably my least favorites on the album. But considering I quite like both of those tracks, that says a lot about how much I love this album.
11. "Good Morning Good Morning" - My least favorite song on the album. Yet I still think it's pretty great at times and it has some very interesting elements. I think that says a lot about how much I love this album.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's (Reprise)" - Rocks harder than the first version. I love how it ties the album together and it's brilliant how this closing version is "looser" just like a band may be looser at the end of a real show. And that's what the concept of this album was all about after all. The idea was that this album would "go on tour" rather than the band themselves.
13. "A Day in the Life" - In my opinion this is the best song ever written. An absolutely epic way to end the album.
About the Author:
In order to hear Sgt. Pepper's in mono you must buy The Beatles In Mono. It's highly recommend that you buy both Beatles Remastered Box Sets.
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