Number 6: What's Going On

Album: What's Going On

Artist: Marvin Gaye

Year: 1971

Information: Marvin's brother had just come back from war with many tales of endeavors in Vietnam. He regaled Marvin in his stories and it inspired him to create this album. When Marvin presented Motown with his singles, responses were surprisingly negative. Marvin was told that "What's Going On" was the worst song they had ever heard and that they didn't even know what "ecology" was (Mercy, Mercy Me (The Ecology.) However, he kept fighting and finally had his singles released. The singles took over the charts and his label quickly changed their mind. This album has left quite the legacy and blazed a trail for socially conscious music from Motown. It's been called the Sgt. Pepper's of soul music and I would have to agree.

High Points: This entire album is one massive high point. It starts off (like the others so far) with what might be it's highest point. I would try to describe this album, but I can't find the words. To quote someone else "The songs move along and blend together and leave you in a dream-like haze." This quote is a wondrous description that fits this album very well.

Low Points: There aren't any.

Is it Great: It certainly is.

I don't ever really call music beautiful. It's difficult for me to find such adjectives suitable to most songs and albums. Some people would call Sgt. Pepper's beautiful, but I really don't understand that.

However, this album is the one exception.  The songs have the capability to slide into your brain and make everything, ironically, seem okay. It's the only album I consider to be worthy of the hefty title of "beautiful."

Number 5: Rubber Soul

Album: Rubber Soul

Artist: The Beatles

Year: 1965

Information: The Dylan influence is strongest on this album and therefore is obviously going to be a mostly acoustic album. It is one of the finest/earliest examples of folk rock and it can be traced back as one that helped along the burgeoning of folk rock.They played their last commercial concert and released this album before becoming a studio band.

High Points: Well, like the rest of the albums so far, it starts off with a high point. It begins with "Drive My Car," a humorous song about a starlet who recruits a driver, but turns out not to own a car. Beep beep, beep beep, yea.

Low Points: Unlike the rest of the albums so far, it ends a little weak. John Lennon admitted that "Run for Your Life" was a cop on Elvis and that he was ultimately unsatisfied with the song. This song also doesn't really fit in with the theme of the rest of the album, as John also points out. The album has many songs that focus on independent women and "Run for Your Life" basically tells of a man having ownership of what appears to be his girlfriend and threatening her if she ever dates someone else or cheats on him.

Is it Great? I think it's just as good as Revolver is.

As I said earlier, I'm trying to keep the Beatle reviews short.

---

"Michelle" and "Norwegian Wood" are the other best songs on this album. "Michelle" was one of the first songs Paul wrote. It started as a piss take on men who would bring guitars and play to attract people at parties and such. It was soon suggested that it actually become a song and Paul went along with it, adding actual French parts with the help of a friend. "Norwegian Wood" was heavily Dylan-influenced and Dylan even made a parody of it on Blonde on Blonde called "4th Time Around" which have very similar melodies and guitar accompaniments. Even the title seems to be a pun.

Number 4: Highway 61 Revisited

Album: Highway 61 Revisited

Artist: Bob Dylan

Year: 1965

Information: A revolutionary album released in 1965. When you look around at the other artists at this time, Bob Dylan had left everyone in the dust. Even The Beatles, who were being heavily influenced by him at this time, leading to the creation and sound of Rubber Soul, were completely left behind. This album was released in the middle of perhaps the greatest trilogy of albums released by any artist, only rivaled by "Rubber Soul," "Revolver," and "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" and possibly Jimi Hendrix.

High Points: We'll start at the beginning. The very first seconds of "Like a Rolling Stone" has a snare shot that Bruce Springsteen eloquently described as "kicking open the door to your mind." Over six minutes of condescending greatness, the first song is an all-out attack on an unnamed person who fell from the world's graces. Bob's young, rebellious sneer is never stronger than it is on this song is and it never fails to capture my attention and hold it the entire, raucous six minutes. The other high point is at the end of the album, "Desolation Row." An eight minute folk song that references everything from Casanova, Einstein, Dr. Filth, and Cinderella.The song hearkens back to Dylan's folkie days, where he is alone with his acoustic guitar and harmonica, with the exception of another musician playing  latin-style riffs on top of his strumming.The song spins the tale of an apocalyptic day filled with murderous super heroes and the sinking of the Titanic.

Low Points: There is one song that I don't like as much as the others, which is "Queen Jane Approximately." I believe this is usually regarded as the least impressive song on this album, so that should be no surprise to fans of this album. The song is a tad boring, however it does have nice lyrics (which Dylan is ultimately known for,) that tell a similar story to "Like a Rolling Stone," but it has a more apathetic relationship with the subject, even inviting the person to "come see me, Queen Jane."

Is it Great? I'll go with what Phil Ochs once said of this album "How can a human mind do this?"

I will be honest. I pray at the altar of Robert Allen Zimmerman. This man is my musical god, and if I would ever attempt to make music, this is the man I would aspire be like. So, my review is definitely biased to some degree, but it's hard to overstate how fantastic this album is.

---

I personally believe that Dylan's song "Like a Rolling Stone" is actually aimed at himself, rather than someone like Edie Sedgwick. I base this idea in the fact that Dylan frequently says that person fell from grace, which recently happened to him. When he played his first electric set at the Newport Folk Festival, it backfired heavily, leading to a large portion of fans starting to boo and even leading to one magazine that had held him in high regard was now heavily criticizing him. He then talks about having to "live out on the street" and how's he "gonna have to get used to it." Dylan never really faced criticism before, only mild indifference facing his debut album. Now negative press surrounded him and he had to learn how to deal with it. He went from being the "voice of a generation" (a title he loathed) and having everything in the palm of his hand to being kicked around by his former admirers and colleagues. 

Something that I quite enjoy from another concert is that someone, two people take credit for this, shouted out "Judas!" (being a biblical reference.) Dylan shot back at him, saying "I don't believe you.... You're a liar." He then looked back to his band and said "Play it fucking loud," leading into "Like a Rolling Stone " (which could also support my theory of how the song is aimed at himself.) Just another reason why I admire him so much.

---

"Tombstone Blues" and "From a Buick 6" are both powerful blues rock songs that were certainly precursors to garage rock, the second one having an opening snare shot similar to that of "Like a Rolling Stone." "Tombstone Blues" contains shots at society and authority figures, such as the president. At one point, he tells of the president pointing towards the sun and claiming "the sun's not yellow, it's chicken," and at another  point he's "chasing a fly," painting societal leaders as idiotic.  

The two slower songs, "It Takes a Lot to Laugh, It Takes a Train to Cry" and "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues," are both a bit similar in sound, but very different lyrically. "It Takes a Lot to Laugh..." is thought to be an allegory for someone who is sexually frustrated, which make the lyrics for an interesting read. "Just Like Tom Thumb's Blues" is a great song about a man who's exhausted all his luck and opportunity down in Mexico. He encounters prostitutes, corrupt authority figures, drugs, sickness, and at one point, saints. He finally hits bottom and decides that "I'm going back to New York City, I do believe I've had enough."

"Ballad of a Thin Man" is another superb song with great accompanying piano. It tells the story of a clueless business man who finds himself in several situations where he has no understanding of what is happening around him. The song is also critical of his naivete, such as when the sword swallower says "Here is your throat back, thanks for the loan," giving one the idea that the business man frequently has things shoved down his throat, whether that be foreign ideas or something completely different is your call. On that note, the song has a lot of sexual imagery, such as the "one-eyed midget."

The last song to mention is also one of the stranger ones. "Highway 61 Revisited," which shares the name of the album, makes interesting use of a police whistle and tells a myriad of stories. One for example, is of a bored gambler who wants to start a new world war. So, he goes to a promoter who tells him to put bleachers  out in the sun on Highway 61. Another is the story of someone who appears to be royalty and complains to her fourth father that her complexion is very pale. So the fourth father plans to tell the second mother, but the second mother is with the seventh son. You get the picture. 

Number 3: Revolver

Album: Revolver

Artist: The Beatles

Year: 1966

Information: The first album released during The Beatles' studio years, it is widely regarded as a groundbreaking album and one of the best ever made. It is one of the first psychedelic albums and helped to popularize the genre that would take over for the next few years. It's covers a wide range of genres, such as blues rock, baroque pop, R&B, and ends with a praised experimental track.

High Points: This album has a lot of high points. The first song is George-penned and is a jab at the tax code in England. Filled with jokes ("I'll tax your seat," "Declare the penny's on your eyes,") and a superb guitar solo by Paul, this song is one of my favorites.Then it moves onto a slightly depressing song by Paul that recounts the final days of an old lonely woman. The song is set to a string octet arranged by Paul and George Martin. Later, it hits a very touching, Beach Boys-inspired song, "Here, There, and Everywhere." The vocals are great and the lyrics are superbly written. Up next is one of everyone's favorite songs, "Yellow Submarine." How can you resist singing along to this song? On a personal and odd note, I once cried while listening to this. Then, it moves onto the brassy, R&B "Got to Get You Into My Life." The singing is also really well done and John considers it to be one of Paul's best songs. To finish off, the album ends on "Tomorrow Never Knows." A  highly experimental track written by John, it is also held in high regard and opened new possibilities in the studio. Implementing tape reels brought in by Paul, the song is filled double-tracked vocals, backwards guitar, and endless tape loops that all seem to be building towards the apocalypse. 

Low Points: The weakest song here is And Your Bird Can Sing. It's a nice little song, but, to me, it's a tad forgettable.

Is it Great? Yea, I would say it is.

From now on, I'm going to attempt to keep these Beatle reviews short. In all reality, what else could I possibly say that hasn't been said about these guys that took over the world in 1963 and have remained in the limelight ever since? There's been 50 years of heavy documentation and everything that can be said, has been said.

Number 2: Pet Sounds

Album: Pet Sounds

Artist: The Beach Boys

Year: 1966

Information: Predating the Summer of Love, but predicting its sounds, this album was a radical departure from the surf and sun themes of previous albums. This is essentially a Brian Wilson solo album, with added vocal parts from his band mates. It was not as well received in America as Brian had hoped. His standards were set very high for this project, as evidenced in Brian's claims to his wife Marilyn at the time, "Marilyn, I'm gonna make the greatest album. The greatest rock album ever made!" There are many people who would agree that Brian met his goal, but this album's failure in the charts crushed him and set him on his path for his impending insanity and the beauty that is SMiLE.

High Points: Well, for me, basically the entire album. I love the beginning "Wouldn't It Be Nice" and of course I will have to mention "God Only Knows" or I will be hanged at the Beach Boys fan gallows.

Low Points: I may be biased, but I'm hard pressed to find one. There is nothing I dislike on the album, and neither should you.

Is it Great? Perhaps the greatest.

This album was made in response to Rubber Soul, which Brian thought was a cohesive unit. From start to end, there was no filler and they all fit together, whether in themes or sound. This was a major inspiration for Brian and this album. 

Coincidentally, this album then influenced and inspired The Beatles. This album led to the creation of Sgt. Pepper's. George Martin once said that Sgt. Pepper's was an attempt to equal Pet Sounds. This album is also one of Paul McCartney's favorites; his favorite song being "God Only Knows," saying that the song usually brings him to tears when he listens.

When you listen to the background to these songs, you begin to realize how complex these songs are. The startling fact is that Brian had all these ideas in his head. He heard all these things in his head and he put them on wax. He knew what the available sounds were from the instruments he was using and he knew the vocal ranges from his band mates. Brian had this whole album mapped out in his head. It's really fascinating.

---

I learn about albums. I look up their history, their reception, their songs, everything. I soak up the information and somehow retain it all. In fact, I wrote this entire entry from memory of things I had read.


To be honest, when I first bought this album, I didn't enjoy it. I heard "Wouldn't it Be Nice," and I loved that song. But that was it really, although I did also enjoy "Sloop John B.," but those songs weren't enough to make want to keep coming back to it. But something did. For some reason, I kept listening to this album, even though I didn't enjoy it at first.

I think understanding an album and where it came from is crucial to appreciation of it, or at least it is to me. It's intriguing to learn about Brian, his escapades (like replacing all his furniture with gym mats,) and his spiral into insanity. It's really a heart breaking story.

I learned all I could about this album. I soaked it all up. I know a lot more about this album than I'll ever need to. So, I listened to it more and more. My love for this album raised incrementally with every listen. And I kept listening.

I love this album now. It's something I listen to almost everyday and I would probably be a different person had I never heard it.

I could write about Brian all day, but I'll wrap it up here.

If you're hesitant on this album, I encourage you to read about it. It really changed my opinion.

---

Looking back on this review, it really seems like what I'm saying is that the record itself isn't great, but the history is. That would incredibly inaccurate.

This album is gorgeous. When you listen to the vocals, it really is quite amazing how they all blend together to create this one larger effect, and all the singing is absolutely superb on this album. Not only do you hear the words, but you can feel them. Carl Wilson was used quite well on "God Only Knows," as his great voice caresses every word, giving you a key to a locked door of emotions.

Not only is the vocal side of this album great, but so is its musical side. Even from the beginning of the album, you get a brief foray into how all the music will play off of each other. The album starts with a "guitar duet" (might be an accordion) of sorts, were two guitars play simultaneously and seem to bounce off one another. From then on, this record steeps you in musical mastery. Think Phil Spector, but with improvised instruments, such as sleigh bells and soda cans.

It make take you a listen or two, but you'll start to get more familiar with the album. When that happens, you'll understand why this album receives so much praise.

Number 1: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Album: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Artist: The Beatles

Year: 1967

Information: This album, released during the Summer of Love, is unanimously praised and celebrated. Treated like one of the most (or the most) important musical creations in pop culture history. The album is still held in high regard today and remains one of the best-selling albums of all time.

High points: The best song on this album (or, maybe, in The Beatles entire catalog,) is A Day in the Life. A true McCartney and Lennon collaboration, the first verses are distinctly Lennon, telling of death and newspaper stories, with a tinge of psychedelia. Then, it turns distinctly McCartney, having a nice melody and being overall joyful. Telling the morning routine of the everyday worker, it soon fades back to Lennon. After a big crescendo, it turns into a large, singular, ominous, and mysterious chord, which is played on three pianos and one harmonium. This E major chord rings out for approximately forty seconds, having the volume raised gradually to the point where you can hear the sound of a squeaking chair and rustling papers.

Low points: Although there really is no bad songs on this album, the weakest song, in my opinion, is Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!. Don't get me wrong, I personally love this song, but when compared to the other songs contained within this album, I don't feel as though this song is on the same level as the others. The song is kind of pointless, it's a description of acts for a circus, itself being based on a poster that John found.

Is it great? Incredibly so.

This album is filled with meticulous detail and attention paid to the songs. Generally, the lyrics are well written and are just pleasing and easy to listen to. In a landscape of auto-tune and unimpressive music, this album is a nice refresher of a decade and musical genre at it's peak.

---

When I look back at "A Day in the Life," I almost find a deeper meaning to the lyrics. It seems like the song shows the different environments in which John and Paul grew up. Notice how, when John Lennon sings, he seems to be an outsider looking in at the happenings of the day, detached from the average people. After Lennon left for the care of his aunt, he grew up having money and things bought for him. When Paul McCartney sings, he's part of the day, he is the working man. Getting up every morning, trudging through the daily routine to go to work. Paul, mirroring his song, grew up in a working class family.

Maybe these things are unrelated, but I just happened to find this connection and it seemed substantial.

Disclaimer

This my first attempt at reviewing music. Probably not the best place to start. Rather than starting with the purportedly greatest ever albums, why not start with a few, mediocre ones to find my grounding? Because that's not how I do things, apparently.

Also, I am no music critic. I would like to think I have good taste in music, but then I realize there is no definitive taste in music because music is whatever you want it to be. Which is why I hate the "real music" comments. Anyways, all of this is my opinion and in no means should be regarded as definitive. If you disagree with anything I might have said, I would encourage you to leave a comment. I would love to see what you think and I'll try to reply to anything you might post.