Revolver

The album Revolver by The Beatles is a culmination of very many different musical and non-musical influences and elements all pouring into one piece of musical art. Before this album their sound was very different, more mainstream Pop Rock and more of a standard arrangement. They were known world wide for their catchy pop tunes comprised of vocals, guitar, bass and drums, but the album Revolver changed that and forever changed the genetic make up of the Beatles music and sound.

Many various non-musical influences affecting each of the band members heavily influence the lyrical content, vibe and sound of this album. George Harrison was delving deep into the influence of Indian culture; John Lennon was being a family man but still finding ways to begin escaping the pressures of suburbia. Paul was living he bachelor lifestyle but expanding his understanding of classical music and instruments. This is where he began to use Strings, Brass and other influences to write different sounding material. He was also digging into electronic music process such as tape looping and using prerecorded effects. During this time Lennon and Harrison began experimenting with LSD, which would undeniably change the sound and course of The Beatles forever forward. George Harrison's Indian culture is very evident on this album through use of the Sitar throughout the album. This use of the sitar spread it into to pop culture and made the Indian sound of the Sitar synonymous with the LSD movement of the 1960s.

The Beatles used the tools of the studio to create new and unusual sounds to add to the songs of the album, they used new methods to play recorded guitar riffs backwards and add them to the song “I’m only Sleeping”. To me this album is well produced, well written and very eclectic. It is considered one of the best albums of all time, though it doesn’t receive the amount of acclaim Sgt.Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band does, it deserves to. This album is the fork in the road that led The Beatles to change their sound and spawn an entire sound of Rock and Roll during that era.