Overview:
It's been said The Beatles changed the world of music when Sgt. Peppers hit in 1967. My personal favorite quote about this was, ''After Sgt. Peppers, there were no rules to follow, and every pop and rock band could do whatever they wanted for better or worse.''
True, that album did break the rules, but the Beatles had already been doing that kind of work on Revolver. So then Revolver, with it's use of sophisticated lyrics and exceptional pop song writing is therefore the album that made the Beatles the most revolutionary band the world had seen.
But, take a step back. Those sophisticated lyrics were already in use on Rubber Soul. In fact, that's not the only link to the Beatles most prized album, Sgt. Peppers. Within You Without You may be the most famous Indian influenced Beatles song, but the sitar made an important appearance on Rubber Soul during the song Norwegian Wood.
Even with all the critical respect other Beatle albums receive, most agree that the change really came with Rubber Soul. Many critics are even beginning to move away from the golden god that we've made Sgt. Peppers and shine a little of that light down on Rubber Soul.
But, why? Is there any particular reason?
Well, some will argue that the reason is to distance themselves from the hordes of other critics; to shy away from popular opinion. This is probably a reason, yes. But, if they just wanted to pick a different album to make into a trophy, they could have picked many other albums which are more popular. The White Album, Revolver, Abbey Road, and A Hard Days Night have always been viewed highly in critical eyes, but they aren't the ones being talked about these days as the best Beatles album. So, is Rubber Soul really the best of the lot? Let's break down 14 tracks that are earning more and more praise from the music world, and find out.
Tracks:
1) Drive My Car - This fast-paced tune, but not the most memorable opener in the Beatles cannon. However, there isn’t a Beatles fanatic who would tell you they would rather have a different opening track for Rubber Soul. (8.5/10)
2) Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown) - Some question how necessary it was to have a sitar here. At the least, the sitar is not a distraction from the song. At it’s best, it adds a little unordinary flavor to the tune. Either way, it’s a very nice John Lennon tune, and a good placement after Drive My Car. (9/10)
3) You Won’t See Me - The most striking element right out of the gate about You Won’t See Me is the vocals. They’ve been painstakingly recorded to perfection. The old adage about recording rock music goes, “You either go for a raw energetic live feel, or you take as long as it takes to make it sound note perfect.” You can debate which is the right approach, but You Won’t See Me makes a great case for the latter. (9/10)
4) Nowhere Man - The lyrics come off as kiddy at first, but closer inspection shows a creative motif that, at that time, wasn’t being used by any other artist in the genre. The only artists using these kinds of lyrics were the folk artists such as Dylan, and don’t pretend Dylan isn’t an influence here. Lennon was a huge Dylan fan, and this is his take on that kind of lyric style. (8.5/10)
5) Think For Yourself - The first track on the album that could be skipped without too much remorse. That is, until you reach the chorus. The chorus makes this song. It brings the song into different light, this one being more critical. Still, isn’t as strong as the preceding tracks, but no clunker by the same standard. (8/10)
6) The Word - A logical extension of Think For Yourself, and that’s why it’s on the album. Otherwise, this wouldn’t be an impressive track. This is the first place on the album the Beatles sound a bit set in their ways. (7/10)
7) Michelle - No beating around the bush, this isn’t an impressive track. In fact, Paul McCartney practically admits it himself during the first minute of the song, “Michelle, my bell, these are words that go together well, my Michelle.” This song would have been better had it not come directly after The Word, because they just seem to be too close together musically. Sure, Michelle is slower, but it’s the same love song. (6/10)
8) What Goes On - Ah, now we find something new. There’s a country rhythm to this song, and that’s not something the Beatles were don’t too much before. Even though the lyrics still concern themselves with the all too familiar boy/girl dynamic, it’s different musically, and therefore it’s an important song. Note the audible bass. This was a new innovation for McCartney, who decided after hearing Brian Wilson’s masterpiece, the Beach Boy album Pet Sounds, that bass could be an important aspect of a pop song. It certainly sounds good here. (8/10)
9) Girl - Girl lyrics again? Yes and no. It’s not the lyrics you’re expecting, but they are about a girl. This time the song’s author, Lennon, is almost condemning the subject of the song, instead of embracing it. It’s not much, but it’s still a step forward in the songwriting style. (7.5/10)
10) I’m Looking Through You - On this track, the Beatles seem to have really solidified their new approach to songwriting. It’s critical of a person, no particular gender is apparent. This is the albums turning point. It seemed to have started out hot and cooled, but then it takes off to new heights here. (8.5/10)
11) In My Life - Lennon sings about his current view of how his life is going. Fine vocals. At first look, the song seems to be a paint by numbers song with good lyrics, but it offers more. There is an interesting piano solo about 2/3 through the song, and it perfectly bridges the song from the beginning section to the slightly altered ending. (9/10)
12) Wait - Very catchy melody, one of the better ones on the album. The song is also a logical extension of In My Life. Fine vocals back up this indecisive lyric the singers decide which way their relationship should go. (9/10)
13) If I Needed Someone - Yes, magnificent! An ode to a friend done in the best way. The best pure melody on the album, the best vocals on the album, and would be the best song had the album stopped here. (9.5/10)
14) Run For Your Life - There's something extra charming about this closing track. In all likelihood, it’s the threats McCartney throws out. He verbally threatens a girl that if she was to cheat on him, he’d kill her. Vicious indeed, especially when this had never been attempted by a band of the Beatles profile before. Fine vocals + great ringing guitars = great closer. Best track on the album. (10/10)
Conclusion:
Let’s be honest, the album dips in the middle, and almost disappointingly so. And let’s just say it, there’s nothing here that is as memorable as I Want To Hold Your Hand or Come Together. So is this really the best Beatles album?
No, but it really is the most important. The albums starting with Revolver and onwards wouldn’t have come had Rubber Soul not been a success, so this album is worthy of most of the praise it receives. Had Rubber Soul flopped commercially, or at least been heavily criticized, the Beatles would have retreated back to their boy meets girl songs, and that just wouldn’t have been as good as how things turned out.
