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The sprawling double-album *The Beatles* (or the "White Album") served not only as a document of the group's disintegration but as a blueprint of the four's future solo careers. The album itself is really composed of songs written and sung by the individual members with the others serving as backup. No longer did one find examples of the group chemistry or ensemble performance present in the earlier works that established them as THE '60s band. Here you can see the distinct personalities and styles of the individual members showcased for better or for worse. *The Beatles* contained spare, bare-bones production that served to highlight the songs. The individual members outgrew some of the limitations that the group format had formerly imposed on them. Thus, Lennon was able to display his angst more freely while Paul McCartney was given more free reign with his pop tendencies. Harrison explored his mystical and spiritual side while Ringo Starr was given opportunity for a couple throwaway numbers. The variety of styles present here is staggering as the listener is reminded how versatile and encompassing the Beatles' musical reach was. "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" is arguably Harrison's best song to date with its melancholy melody and lyrics (not to mention guest guitarist Eric Clapton's solo). McCartney shows his melodic gifts in simple pop-folk numbers such as "Blackbird," "Mother Nature's Son," and "I Will." As if to show that he can still rock, he adds the visceral and chaotic "Helter Skelter" that finds Paul shredding his vocal cords and the whole band creating instrumental mayhem. The consistently finest moments on the album belonged to Lennon. "Happiness Is a Warm Gun" is a surreal number that is actually three songs stitched together. "I'm So Tired" portrays exhaustion as Lennon's voice moves from intimacy to frustration. "Yer Blues" takes on a degree of autobiographical truth with Lennon's lyrics of suicide and depression and one of his most authoritarian and commanding vocal performances on a Beatles record. There was some confusion surrounding *The Beatles* at the time, especially when it was sandwiched between *Sgt. Pepper's* and *Abbey Road*. It was clearly the least Beatlesish record in terms of spirit. Yet, it is deeper than the other two. While the songwriting in *Pepper's* leaves something to be desired, and the tone of the album at times seems maudlin and banal, and the second half of *Abbey Road* (while dazzling the first few listenings) comes up ultimately empty, *The Beatles* contains more deeper and honest moments than the other two combined. I believe it is the best album released by them............Read full review
I'm really happy with this purchase.I paid a fair price for it and I liked what I got.I know that this is the space for a review,so here goes:Most of you reading this will already be familiar with the "White Album".The reason to get this version of it is if ,like me,you're into collectibles.The CDs are packaged like a miniature copy of the album and each CD comes housed in it's own paper sleeve just like records used to.Other neat things include digipak packaging(to resemble a cardboard album cover),embossed lettering on the front(just like the original album)and miniature reproductions of the posters and lyric sheet that came with the original record.Although I bought this used(which is probably the only way you'll find it),I was pleased to find that both discs played fine.I've never owned the traditional 2 CD set of this album because I always felt that it was too expensive.So not only did I pay a fair price on this,I also got a neat collectible to boot.I highly recommend purchasing these CDs in this format.Read full review
I bought this CD because I knew ahead of time this was a truly limited and unique first "CD" issue. The serial number was also extremely low, it was still factory sealed and in true "mint condition". This is also one of the most popular Beatles albums of all time and its original numbered record LP had come out 30 years prior, making this "The 30th anniversary issue" and an automatic true "super collector's item". Its recordings and songs truly show how The Beatles were starting to fully mature musically and have ideas and family values of their own. It also showed how they were no longer getting together as a unit as often and how Paul McCartney had truly taken command of a lot of decisions and was struggling while trying to keep the band together as a totally feasible unit. So its "history" is also of significant value. Another reason why I bought this item was its price. I paid much less for this than its original price and saved a lot of money on this purchase. Its songs also showed how all of them were moving into a more mature level of song writing with McCartney's Blackbird, Back In The U.S.S.R., Helter Skelter etc. George Harrison's "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" was truly an anthem and the addition of Eric Clapton brought all of the Beatles together again as a serious working unit. Also the serial numbers for this were based on international sales rather than each country having its own set of serial numbers so the lower numbers are even much more collectible and of value....Read full review
I think this is a great album by The Beatles! Versatility is the theme on this album. They one time rock out and then go to blues and then to a easy listening sound etc. Don't expect to hear 1964 type style music on this album even though there are some traces on it. I think it was a well done album and a true classic. Any Beatles fans should include this golden great in their library! Recommended!!
One of my favorite Beatles album. This was released in 1998 for the 30th anniversary of the release of the historic "White Album. " I wanted this for my Beatles collection. The sound quality is better on the 2009 stero release and probably better on the 2018 release but I love the way this 30th anniversary edition was packaged.
Verified purchase: Yes | Condition: Pre-owned
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