Sunday, May 1, 2016

The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (IAS #18)

This week's entry might seem a bit too familiar... but what can I do? You don't just slam the door in the face of greatness.

The Beatles: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

15 comments:

  1. We're at 18 and still no Stones album. Their reputation must really have taken a dive.

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    1. It is still a long way to 67))

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    2. My wife thinks that the current generation is less interested in bands like the Stones or the Who because they're still active and old, and the current generation doesn't think of these bands as they were in their heyday. Where as the Beatles, Doors, Velvet Underground, or such, are only thought of as younger and still brilliant.

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  2. In June of 1967 I was in High school and me and my buddy were on summer vacation. We went to Platter Palace to check out the new releases. Sgt. Pepper was in the rack and we didn't know what to think of it. We spent the summer at the public pool listening to the radio. It was a magic summer. Brown Eyed Girl, The Letter, Light my Fire. It was August before I heard Sgt. Pepper. My older sister bought it. We played it over and over both sides. I never played an album like that. I usually played one side or the other. That Christmas somebody gave her Are You Experienced? She didn't care for it but I did. I started buying albums when I had the money.Never bought another 45

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  3. "I do agree that Sgt. Pepper could probably be better than it is. My problem is that I don't know how it could be better."

    Easy, add Strawberry Fields & Penny Lane to the album. As much as I love this album if I have to be honest there is a slight lack of "big" songs with universal appeal instead of specific Beatles-esque appeal. Since the Beatles are my favorite I don't mind all the fluff, but I think with the addition of the aforementioned songs the record would be more balanced.

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    1. Is 'Penny Lane' really less fluffy than anything on the album that isn't 'When I'm 64'?

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    2. "Penny Lane" isn't fluffy at all.

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    3. Fluffy as a fish and finger pie.

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  4. When I first heard the album in the 80s being a high school student I was underwhelmed. It just didn't live up to its reputation. Actually I liked A Hard Day's Night much better then. With time and many listens my attitude has changed. Now I don't see why this album can't be the best there is in 20th century pop and rock music. Currently my favourites are Within You Without You and Lovely Rita.

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  5. Put the album in your computer and mix up the songs. I was amazed at the power each one had when listened to out of order

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  6. "What other song points out the obvious similarities between a circus show and Satan's Ball so well?"

    Well, Nick Cave's "The Carny" springs to mind...

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  7. By the way, where's the third previous review? Old site, this blog, and...?

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    Replies
    1. Maybe George is referring to his reader comment on Mark Prindle's Beatles page?

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    2. Those of us who follow George long enough (especially on the old site) remember that he actually did post The Beatles reviews twice on the old site. After a couple of years he re-wrote some of the reviews of his five star artists (The Beatles and Dylan certainly, maybe some others that I can't remember now). So yes, that's actually his fourth autonomous Sgt. Pepper's review!

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    3. I remember those re-reviews as well, though I think he only got as far as "Rubber Soul" before his first burnout.

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