Average Rating: 
Rating:  - "I got blisters on my fingers!"
Don't get me wrong, this is a great collection of tunes. Recorded in 1968, The Beatles aka "The White Album" has arguably generated more debate than any other Beatles LP. This album is also the beginning of a lot of inner turmoil within the group, which might explain some of the dysfunction. The Beatles had done the India thing, Ringo quit for a few days, and Yoko Ono was hanging out in the studio.
The Beatles got away from the studio tricks of Sgt. Peppers and Magical Mystery Tour era songs, especially with the more organic, acoustic-guitar based tracks they wrote in India. "Dear Prudence," "Blackbird," and "Mother Nature's Son" are all very beautiful songs. There are straight ahead rock numbers like "Back in the USSR" with its mock Beach Boys chorus and twisted Russian lyrics. Paul plays drums on both Prudence and USSR. Other tunes like "Birthday" and "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey" proved the Beatles could still really rock, and "Helter Skelter" is raw metal.
If George Martin had had his way, this would have been a classic single album, but we would have missed quirky tunes like "The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill" with Yoko's warbled "but when he looked so fierce" lyric. Or the multi-style, multi-time signature "Happiness is a Warm Gun" with some bizarre John Lennon lyrics and not so hidden theme.
The best song of this set is George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" with its haunting rhythm, world-weary lyrics and Eric Clapton guitar solo. There's a beautiful, intimate solo acoustic version on Anthology 3 that's not to be missed.Why do I give this only four stars?
1. It's disjointed, like it was thrown together with no sense of dynamic. "While My Guitar" is sandwiched between "Bungalow Bill" and "Warm Gun." Really loud songs are right next to really quiet songs, with no cushion.
2. Paul was pretty self-indulgent at this point, with "Wild Honey Pie," "Why Don't We Do it in the Road" and "Honey Pie." I think Honey Pie has a nice melody, but when Paul sings "I like this kind of music" it's a direct poke at Lennon's disdain for Paul's "granny songs."
3. Revolution 9. Love it or hate it, this experimental avant garde montage should have been released on a John and Yoko solo work. Thankfully, they had Ringo sing "Goodnight" to close the record and bring us back to earth.
Rating:  - THE BEST DOUBLE ALBUM EVER MADE
Yep it's the best double LP ever. Dpnt get me wrong I love other doubles like Pink Floyd's The Wall, Led Zeppelin's Physical Graffiti, Stones- Exile but this is the one. So many great songs man the only one I dont really care for is Why Dont We Do it On the Road. Yes I even like wild honey pie and revolution#9 they work really well on this album. So many range of songs Like country western-Rocky Racoon and Don't Pass Me By, Blues- Yer Blues (YB is proof that the Beatles can play good blues. 2o's jazz-honey pie, Heavy Metal-Helter Skelter(which kicks major a**, you got your novelty tunes-Piggies, bungolow bill reggae-ska Ob-la di-ob-la-da, and your straight up rock&roll- USSR, Birthday, Happiness is a warm gun,me and my monkey, pschydelia-Glass Onion, Avant-grad-#9 and of course the ballads I Will,etc. John's Dear Prudence and Julia are haunting. But George really shines with songs like while my guiter gently weeps, savoy truffle and of course piggies. And what a way to end an album with the calm "goodnight". So many great songs A CLASSIC
Rating: - Eclectic Tapestry
This 1968 offering by the Beatles was a marked departure from either their fab four pop splendor, or the psychedlia haze from Revolver, Pepper and Magical Mystery. Instead, the Beatles take on everyone from Chuck Berry to the Beach Boys in this wonderful crazy quilt of musical genres.While there are some weak notes in the grab bag double album, their are more than enough highlights to please almost anyone. The songs can be categorized as following: Power pop - Back In The USSR, Birthday, Cry Baby Cry, Dear Prudence, Martha My Dear, While My Guitar Gently Weeps Hard Rock/Blues - I'm So Tired, Helter Skelter, Revolution , Savoy Truffle, Why Don't We Do It In The Road?, Yer Blues Satire/Social Commentary - Everybody's Got Something To Hide Except Me And My Monkey, Glass Onion, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Piggies, Sexy Sadie, Ballads - Blackbird, I Will, Julia, Long, Long, Long, Mother Nature's Son Put Ons/Take Offs - The Continuing Story Of Bungalow Bill, Goodnight, Honey Pie, Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da, Rocky Raccoon Avante Garde - Revolution #9, Wild Honey Pie Country Western - Don't Pass Me By As a whole, this album encompasses popular culture from the 20's through the 60's, with a slanted view into the psyche (Rev 9). It is powerful stuff, and must listening for anyone on planet earth.
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