Joe_Stax
Joined: 23 Jul 2006
Posts: 354
Location: deep inside your radio
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 Posted: Sat Nov 22, 2008 4:00 pm Post subject: The Beatles' Best Album? |
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I was checking out the Beatles Virtual Museum today, and came across an interesting argument. It originally came from Never Get Out of the Boat. Here 'tis:
| Quote: | A Hard Day's Night (1964)
An Argument For It Being Their Best
Beatles fanatics all know the "Best Album" debate. It's an easy way to pontificate about the Fab Four, while simultaneously showing your pals what a know-it-all you are. Over the years, fans have routinely re-assessed their opinions of The Beatles' 'best,' partly because at least four or five of them are pretty hard to argue against. Post 1967, the pick for many was Sgt. Pepper's for its obvious and timely cultural impact. Later, many found themselves drawn to The Beatles (White Album) for its double LP depth and jarring individuality. Personally, I'm not one who ever seriously considered Abbey Road, though, I understand its appeal with mainstream fans. Serious students have historically lingered around Rubber Soul for its sophisticated acoustic prowess, before switching to Revolver for its druggy innovations and re-stylization of the entire pop format. I've "settled" on all of those myself (at least once) over the years. You probably have, too.
But, after decades of study, debate, discussion, hand-wringing and good old fashion repeated listening, I've finally come to realize that when I think of The Beatles, I think first of A Hard Day's Night. It was the band's first album to fully shed their 50s influences, thereby creating a music that was truly innovative and truly their own. As a result, it's nearly impossible to trace A Hard Day's Night's lineage. It sounds like The Beatles... and nobody that came before them. Credit its sheer exuberance and vitality... and the compositions, all by Lennon & McCartney for the first time. AHDN is littered with milestones - including the daring introduction of acoustic guitars into a successful formula that was already figured to fail within six months - and yet it all seemed so easy... so effortless. Sheer talent captured on tape. The band never again made an overall album that was this joyous, this uplifting, and that atmosphere is still tangible 45 years later. Like many of the greatest albums ever made, A Hard Day's Night has a consistent stylistic feel from start to finish. Its self-confidence is pure allure. It was an obvious peak, even in its day, though... no one ever imagined it would be only the first of many.
It's because of all the groundbreaking music that followed A Hard Day's Night that the album is routinely overlooked as their "best" (or, qualified as the best of their "early LPs"). The album's irresistible innocence is still ill-defined as pop candy when compared to The Beatles' "important" cultural contributions, like "Tomorrow Never Knows," "I Am The Walrus" or "A Day In The Life." Yet... it's A Hard Day's Night that still rings true with a genuine spirit of discovery that greats like Revolver or Abbey Road could never match. Sgt. Pepper's or Magical Mystery Tour might come close as creative adventures, but then... that's why it's always been impossible to decide. Is it The Beatles' best album? Maybe this is a good enough reason to give A Hard Day's Night another 30 minutes of your time. Just in case. |
It's worth considering. Over the years, my favorite Beatles record has been fairly mutable. Sometimes I've veered toward the early years, other times it'll be the mid or later periods. Certainly at one point A Hard Day's Night was my fave Fabs' disc, and was played constantly; at that time I might well have argued it was their best, as I would have with any of my other favorites.
So, it's always open to debate. Any thoughts on the subject?
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One chord is fine. Two chords are pushing it. Three chords and you're into jazz. |
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