Possibly The Greatest Album Of All Time. Review on Revolver - The Beatles

Recently VH1 did a roundup of the top 100 albums of all time. The list itself (like all such lists) is open to debate about which albums belonged and which ones didn't or which ones got left off. The album VH1 was chose as the number one of all time was Revolver by The Beatles.

Whether or not Revolver is the greatest album of all time is a matter of personal opinion. Regardless of whether you would place it at number one or not, there's no denying that Revolver is a great and important album.

Revolver begins with the George Harrison penned ''Taxman''. The song starts with Harrison counting in and then a sharp guitar riff kicks in, followed by an excellent bass line by Paul McCartney. The song has an angry tone to it that perfectly complements the lyrics, which are an attack on the tax system in Great Britain. Harrison drives the point home with the final verse: ''Now my advice for those who die/Declare the pennies on your eyes/Cause I'm the taxman/Yeah I'm the taxman/And you're working for no one but me''. I defy anyone to listen to this song and then even think of referring to the Beatles as the ''original boy band''.

''Taxman'' Is followed by the McCartney penned ''Eleanor Rigby''. This song is one that has become a Beatles classic. This in spite of the fact that not one Beatle performed on it, aside from McCartney's lead vocal. For this one, McCartney wanted to get a classic feel and so producer George Martin brought in Cello and Violin players. The result complements McCartney's rather dark lyrics, which detail the loneliness that affects some people. The song is about a lonely spinster who dies and has her funeral presided over by a clergyman who is just as lonely as she was. The song tells an effective story that is summed up appropriately at the end: ''Eleanor Rigby/Died in the church and was buried along with her name/Nobody came/Father McKenzie/Wiping the dirt from his hands as he walks from the grave/No one was saved/All the lonely people/Where do they all come from?/All the lonely people/Where do they all belong?''

John Lennon comes in next with ''I'm Only Sleeping''. The song has a dreamy feel to it that complements the lyrics, which are an ode to the favorite past time of resting. Being that I like to sleep late when I have the chance, I can identify closely with the song especially the lyrics ''Everybody seems to think I'm lazy/I don't mind/I think they're crazy/Running everywhere at such a speed/Until they find that there's no need''.

Harrison returns with the Eastern influenced ''Love You To''. The song begins with a carefully played sitar line, before the rest of the band kicks in. The lyrics have that Eastern vibe as well, with references to Eastern Philosophy (''Make love all day long/Make love singing songs'').

Next up is McCartney with the excellent love song ''Here There And Everywhere''. This song feature great lyrics that never get too sappy (''But to love her is to need her/Everywhere/Knowing that love is to share''). The backing vocals add to the song. Now if only McCartney could have maintained this level of consistency in his solo career and not turned to writing schlock like ''Silly Love Songs'' (Come on Paul, you're too good to be writing generic fluff like that).

Next up is Ringo Starr with his solo lead vocal on the album. The song is the McCartney penned ''Yellow Submarine''. This song itself needs no introduction, as pretty much everyone out there knows it. Sing along now: ''We all live in a yellow submarine/A Yellow submarine/Yellow Submarine''.

After the childlike innocence of ''Yellow Submarine'', we are taken back to reality with Lennon's ''She Said She Said''. The lyrics were inspired by an acid trip and contain references to passing innocence (''When I was a boy/Everything was right''). The song features chiming guitars that give it the appropriately dark feel.

Now things get upbeat and sunny as McCartney comes back with the upbeat ''Good Day Sunshine''. The song itself has a summertime feel to it that pulls you in-you can't help singing along.

''And Your Bird Can Sing'' is a Lennon song. The song features a stinging guitar riff with lyrics that are sung to someone who is a materialist. ''When your prized possessions/Start to wear you down/Look in my direction/I'll be around''.

McCartney offers the superb ballad ''For No One''. The song features great lyrics, which detail a failed relationship, and excellent orchestral accompaniment, which makes the song even more emotionally striking.

Lennon's ''Doctor Robert'' is an upbeat rocker that features lyrics about a drug manufacturer.

Harrison’s “I Want To Tell You” is an upbeat pop song that under the surface details a failure of communication. The lyrics contain themes that anyone listening to can identify with: “Sometimes I wish I knew you well/Then I could speak my mind and tell you”.

McCartney's ''Got To Get You Into My Life'' features extensive use of horns. The horns give it an appropriate Motown type feel that is complemented by good use of electric guitar in the final passages.

Ending the album is Lennon's ''Tomorrow Never Knows''. The song itself cannot be described in words; it has to be heard to be believed. On a side note: In my 12th grade psychology class one day, we were learning about meditation. The teacher had us all sitting on the floor in meditative positions. He then put on ''Tomorrow Never Knows''.

Revolver is pure and simply a masterpiece. Whether or not it is the greatest album of all time is open to debate. But it's definitely in the top 5.