For as long as I can remember, I have always been interested in oldies music.
Growing up, when kids my age were typically listening to modern electronic music and pop on the regular, I found myself fascinated by the "real" qualities that are characteristic of the music that comes from generations past. Maybe it's just the musician in me, but in my opinion, nothing beats the sounds of raw talent and pure instrumentation that is consistently witnessed amongst the greats of older musical eras. Perhaps to no one's surprise, I have a particular fascination with The Beatles. To make a long story short, long-time interest in a few of their songs somehow grew into exploring more of their obscure work, and eventually grew even further into acquired knowledge of their entire discography and history.
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In my opinion, The Beatles are a rare breed of band that did fairly well in all of their musical endeavors. In other words, there's definitely something to be said for everything that they ever put out as a band. In this week's article, I will venture the depths of their studio albums in chronological order, doing my best to clearly express what it is that I find interesting or appreciate about each of them.
Please Please Me (1963)
The Beatles premier album is Please Please Me. With hit tracks like Twist and Shout and I Saw Her Standing There, this is the album that skyrocketed The Beatles' into the beginnings of the immense fame that they eventually achieved. Although this album is made up almost entirely of covers from other artists of the time, therefore making it not very exciting in relative terms to what they produced throughout the course of their career as a band, it definitely has it's place in my heart, as it brings feelings of simplicity and nostalgia to the forefront. I'd like to highlight a lesser known track from this album, titled Misery. It's a extremely fun little tune that not many people know about (as is the case with most of the songs on this album). You can also hear them doing their best interpretations of American accents, which was apparently an attempt to market their music to an American audience, but the result is pretty funny. (Notice "'Shend' her back to me" throughout all of the choruses.)
With The Beatles (1963)
The Beatles' second album, which is also made up almost entirely of covers. Although it doesn't contain many well-known tracks and is therefore not noted in popular culture nearly as much as Please Please Me, With The Beatles is equally nostalgic, and also just as important to the start of the Beatles' career. Their sound did not necessarily move away from that which is present on their first album, but in my opinion, they do sound a little less like a rinky-dink band trying to make their way in the music industry. There are more layers to the instrumentation. For example, the track I would like to highlight for this album is Don't Bother Me. Although it may sound fairly simplistic on the surface, the bass line is actually fairly complex and dynamic, there are many intricacies on the guitar, and the discrete presence of a syncopated clapping rhythm can be heard throughout the entirety of the song. The track is also one of the very few that features George Harrison on vocals.
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
A Hard Day's Night is The Beatles' first album that is made up entirely of Lennon-McCartney originals. With that being the case, it should be duly noted that this album was a huge step for the Beatles, as it helped them to sculpt their own sense of creativity as a band and present it to the public. Additionally, much of the music was featured in the Beatles' first film, also entitled A Hard Day's Night, and released in 1964. The title track for this album, as well as Can't Buy Me Love, are some of the well-known songs contained on this album, but as far as I know, the rest of the music on it is pretty obscure to the common ear. With that in mind, I'd like to highlight a track entitled You Can't Do That, which is an upbeat track that features a bitter-sounding John Lennon on lead vocals, and many interesting instrumental layers such as a cowbell, congas, and a highly dynamic guitar and bass lines.
Beatles For Sale (1964)
On this album, The Beatles seemed to have taken on more of a country/folk sound, proving that they had the true ability to transcend many musical styles and experiment successfully. The top track from this album is undoubtedly Eight Days A Week, but on the same token, the obscurities on this record are not to be sold short. For example, one of my favorites is Every Little Thing, particularly because of the odd addition of a timpani drum throughout the strains of the chorus. I guess it's only ironic that such a little thing leads me to find this track enjoyable.
Help! (1965)
Not unlike A Hard Day's Night, this record is also associated with a Beatles' film. The release of the movie was coincided with the release of the album, both of which are entitled Help! This album features many well-known tunes, including the the title track, Ticket to Ride, and Yesterday. By the time this record was put out, The Beatles had truly found their way in the music world, and it is clear that they have settled into their own sound and style. The track I would like to highlight from this particular album is You're Going To Lose That Girl, for a reason that may surprise you: It's fairly minimalist. Rather, the instruments are not the main focus, and it relies mostly on vocal harmonies for musical depth.
Rubber Soul (1965)
Don't tell the other albums, but this one is my go-to whenever I'm asked what my favorite is. It's a bit obscure, as you can definitely hear the fact that the Beatles began to experiment with their sound
