Postby prosecutorgodot » Sun Mar 11, 2018 9:41 pm
Topically, this album is a hodgepodge, but perhaps mainly about relationships. There are some themes of freedom and self-expression peeking through this album, but for the most part, the subject material is pretty all over the place.
The sound palette - a slightly folky, rickety and poppy sound, laden with harmonies - cements the songs together as an album. The sound is more mellow than the band's previous work. You could say this signals maturity, or maybe just an over-consumption of recreational drugs.
I suppose I should say that this album and cover art are important to the counter-culture movement somehow, but I don't know enough to say anything about that.
Over fifty years later, this album does sound a bit bland and simple. But I think this rudimentary framework is the blueprint for the half-century of pop music to arise since Rubber Soul's release. For one, I think this style of songwriting, verse-chorus structure with minute musical details sprinkled throughout every track, heavily influenced many artists including ABBA, who perfected this style. This album is also sort of a standard for adult contemporary music, an impact that is felt even today.
Great "classic" songwriting, but it is really hard to rank them.
11 | In My Life
10 | I'm Looking Through You
04 | Nowhere Man
01 | Drive My Car
02 | Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
03 | You Won't See Me
09 | Girl
07 | Michelle
13 | If I Needed Someone
08 | What Goes On
05 | Think for Yourself
06 | The Word
14 | Run for Your Life
12 | Wait
