Revolver

Revolver, The Beatles seventh studio album, and arguably one of the most influential rock n roll albums of all time was an innovative and daring new sound in it’s time. The Beatles combined an acid filled mind set with new studio equipment and new subject matter to create a music that was fresh to people’s ears. Using such techniques as reversing audio on vocal tracks, and recording in half time only later to speed up the results. They would also pioneer certain techniques with time-based effects and kick drum dynamics. They would take a sweater actually worn by the band and stuff it into the kick drum to deaden the sound, which they would virtually use on every track on their future albums.

Not only was new technology used but new subject matter on such songs as Eleanor Rigsby, where a story of an old woman who wasn’t remembered was told. Songs like this really intrigued listeners.

Contrary to other albums of the time which were filled with random songs that tried to hit the charts, Revolver was the Beatles first attempt at creating a collection of songs that made sense together, meant to be listened to from start to finish. The album was also the Beatles attempt to bring the listener into the studio and make them a part of the recording process. For example on the first track “Taxman” the listener is counted in, giving a sense that you are right there with them tracking the song.

Instrumentation on revolver was also fresh, taking influences from different genres of music. Utilizing instruments such as the sitar, which was not even known or heard from many Americans at that time.

To me Revolver means Revolutionary. The album was an ode to experimentation. I think that during this time when everyone was experimenting, musically and mentally we were very lucky that The Beatles were able to translate it into some of the best music ever recorded.