From Newsgroup: rec.music.beatles


Aug. 7, 1966 - Disc & Music Echo magazine assigned Ray Davies the task of evaluating rCLRevolver,rCY the new Beatles album, and the KinksrCO frontman held nothing back.

Here is DaviesrCO track-by-track breakdown of the record:

rCLTaxmanrCY rCo rCLIt sounds like a cross between The Who and Batman. ItrCOs a bit limited, but the Beatles get over this by the sexy double tracking. ItrCOs surprising how sexy double tracking makes a voice sound.rCY

rCLEleanor RigbyrCY rCorCLI bought a Haydn LP the other day, and this sounds just like it. ItrCOs all sort of quartet stuff, and it sounds like theyrCOre out to please music teachers in primary schools. I can imagine John saying: rCyIrCOm going to write this for my old schoolmistress.rCO Still, itrCOs very commercial.rCY

rCLIrCOm Only SleepingrCY rCo rCLItrCOs a most beautiful song, much prettier than rCyEleanor Rigby.rCO A jolly old thing, really, and definitely the best track on the album.rCY

rCLLove You ToorCY rCo rCLGeorge wrote this. He must have quite a big influence on the group now. This sort of song I was doing two years ago rCo now IrCOm doing what the Beatles were doing two years ago. ItrCOs not a bad song rCo itrCOs well performed which is always true of a Beatles track.rCY

rCLHere, There and EverywhererCY rCo rCLThis proves the Beatles have got good memories, because there are a lot of busy chords in it. ItrCOs nice rCo like one instrument with the voice and guitar merging. Third best track on the album.rCY

rCLYellow SubmarinerCY rCo rCLThis is a load of rubbish, really. I take the mickey out of myself on the piano and play stuff just like this. I think they know itrCOs not that good.rCY

rCLShe Said She SaidrCY rCo rCLThis song is in to restore confidence in the old Beatles sound. ThatrCOs all.rCY

rCLGood Day SunshinerCY rCo rCLThisrCOll be a giant. It doesnrCOt force itself on you, but it stands out like rCyIrCOm Only Sleeping.rCO This is back to the real old Beatles. I just donrCOt think the fans like the newer electronic stuff. The Beatles are supposed to be like the boy next door, only better.rCY

rCLAnd Your Bird Can SingrCY rCo rCLDonrCOt like this. The songrCOs too predictable. ItrCOs not a Beatles song at all.rCY

rCLFor No OnerCY rCo rCLThis will get covered, but it wonrCOt be a hit. ItrCOs really better than rCyEleanor Rigby,rCO and the French horn is a nice effect.rCY

rCLDr. RobertrCY rCo rCLItrCOs good; thererCOs a 12-bar beat and bits in it that are clever. Not my sort of thing, though.rCY

rCLI Want To Tell YourCY rCo rCLThis helps the LP through. ItrCOs not up to Beatles standard.rCY

rCLGot To Get You Into My LiferCY rCo rCLJazz backing, and it just goes to prove that BritainrCOs jazz musicians canrCOt swing. PaulrCOs singing better jazz than the musicians are playing which makes nonsense of people saying jazz and pop are very different. Paul sounds like Little Richard. Really, itrCOs the most vintage Beatles track on the LP.rCY

rCLTomorrow Never KnowsrCY rCo rCLListen to all those crazy sounds! ItrCOll be popular in discotheques. I can imagine they had George Martin tied to a totem pole when they did this.rCY

DaviesrCO overall assessment of the album:

rCLThis is the first Beatles LP IrCOve really listened to in its entirety, but I must say there were better songs on rCyRubber Soul.rCO Still, rCyIrCOm Only SleepingrCO is a standout, rCyGood Day SunshinerCO is second best, and I also like rCyHere, There And Everywhere.rCO I donrCOt want to be harsh about the others. The balance and recording technique are as good as ever.rCY
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