Album Review: The Beatles - The Beatles (1968)

Disappointed somewhat by my initially high expectations of Sgt. Pepper, my views of what a Beatles record should sound like, I can admit, took a rather steep nose-dive. That is, until, I came across the delectable self-titled The Beatles from 1968. Not the best album in music history, of course, and a judgment I wouldn't hesitate to equally confer upon its (in my opinion, slightly overrated) predecessor, but nonetheless one of the finest, whose exclusion from the music collection of any discerning music lover is utterly inexcusable. Melodically a little more palatable than Sgt. Pepper, but less significant culturally and commercially, it still succeeds admirably in its ability to provide something for almost everyone. From the simple and cheerful “Honey Pie”, the proto-metal-esque “Helter Skelter”, the 'out-of-the-blue' structure of “The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill”, the half-pie orgasmic warbling of “Rocky Raccoon”, to the well-known staples of “Back In The U.S.S.R.” and “Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da”, this record fails miserably to delve into a state of musical sterility and outright creative impotence – at worst, it will keep you awake. But at best, it will invigorate the soul.  My biggest gripe is the price, as is the case with all Beatles records.  Buy it if you can afford it. A