The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour
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Free Music Notes for Magical Mystery Tour
Free Music Review: Let me take you down...
Hit: 5 Stars
Magical Mystery Tour was a significant moment in the Beatles' history simply because it marked the biggest flop for the fab four. Don't get me wrong there, it was the movie inspired by the album that flopped, not the album itself.
The songs on Magical Mystery Tour are typical Beatle greatness. The first Beatles single of 1967, which has been revered as their best single ever, released before the epical Sgt Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, is featured here: Lennon's raw and elusive Strawberry Fields Forever and McCartney's sweet Penny Lane. The title track, penned by McCartney, is similar to its predecessor's title track Sgt Pepper in that it is a carnival of sound with the band welcoming you, only this time on a wonderful trip. The high point on the album has to be Lennon's landmark tune I Am The Walrus (he would later reveal that the walrus was Paul in The White Album's track Glass Onion), his other contributions are nothing less than spectacular: the quirky Baby You're A Rich Man, and the anthemic All You Need Is Love, a song that defined a generation of peace-seeking hippies. McCartney, on the other hand, takes over most of the production like he did on Sgt Pepper: the reflective The Fool On The Hill, the song that was probably a hit before your mother was born Your Mother Should Know (I love the sound of that song!), and the extravagant Hello Goodbye. Harrison offers Blue Jay Way, another one of his experimental songs, that by then had become his signature sound.
Despite the failure of the movie inspired by the album, Magical Mystery Tour is yet another classic album from the best band that had ever walked the earth.
Recommended
A-
Free Music Review: who is the walrus, anyways?
Hit: 4 Stars
"line up for the magical mystery tour everybody step RIIIIIGHHT this way" says John in the opening title track, beckoning you on an utterly insane voyage through sixty pop culture.
MMT is highly regarded as the most under-rated Beatles album, I disagree with that to an extent, I think Help! is the moster under-rated, but still, who cares, this is fine, fine music.
The opening track is an under-rated adreniline rush, sure, the lyrics aren't much anything more then lines like "line up for the mystery tour" but the tooting horns and insanity going on gives the song a menacing yet childlike feel to it, not unlike Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite
things change drastically with "Fool on the Hill" this poetic piece is brilliant in its own way, it can be viewed as social commentary if you wish, but really it just paints a surreal picture in your head.
"Flying" is another under-rated song, much like the Yellow Submarine istrumentals, its far out and trippy, but really, isn't that what that albums all about? Now Blue Jay Way, this is an AMAZING piece of music, its George's utter creepiest song, its very un-nerving, and just, as I said, brilliant, stunning. "Your Mother Should know" meh, ho-hum.
I am the Walrus, probably the most famous song on the album, its amongst The Beatles greatest achievements, images of countless sureal situations, penguins kicking Edgar Allen Poe, a dead dog dripping custard from its eyes, policemen in a row, its just mind-blowing. Hello Gbye is a harmless, and un-memorable piece of Paul. Next comes Stawberry Fields, aka I Buuuuuriiiiied Paul, which is the best song on the album by far, for pretty obvious reassons. Penny Lane is almost (almost) equally as good. "Baby You're a Rich Man" is probably my least favorite track, followed by "All you Need is Love" which is a fitting finale.
So, why, you ask, did I give this album four stars instead of five? Simply because when I first got it I listened to it so much it kind of got repetitive, it does get repetitive alot faster then say Peppers or Abbey or even Revolver, but still, I rate it four and a half, one of their best.
Free Music Review: Roll on up!
Hit: 5 Stars
For the film, McCartney's songwriting is slipping a little in this period, though he will regain it again strong with the White Album. He is writing too many weak songs thinking they are great such as "Your Mother Should Know," "Magical Mystery Tour," and the vapid yet commercial "Hello Goodbye,"- which was a big hit but meaningless and did nothing to progress the group except to deliver another number one song, which they hardly needed. "Hello Goodbye" is a bit of an embarrassment today. Even his best song, "Fool on the Hill" is mediocre in relation to his actual talent. Lennon singlehandedly saves the film soundtrack from scorn with his brilliant "I am The Walrus," the best song in the film and a work of genius. "Blue Jay Way" is one of the worst songs Harrison wrote and drones on for what seems like forever.
The other side has the great Beatles singles on it. "Strawberry Fields Forever" is a classic and is often listed as one of the greatest songs ever written. The poetic images and the beautiful melody are each in it's own right praised apart from the other- it's an astonishing song. "Penny Lane" is one of Paul's best although it has not aged that well and seems a bit silly today. "All You Need is Love" is anthem and the title was recently voted the greatest phrase of all time by the British beating out Shakespeare and the Bible. Musically, though, it is also a bit dated. "Baby, You're a Rich Man" has John's beautiful verse music marred by Paul's dull chorus part.
Even with all the little criticisms, it has some of the greatest songs in all of music on the album and well worth buying.
Free Music Review: SGT PEPPER PLEASE STEP ASIDE
Hit: 5 Stars
As much as I love Sgt Pepper, the White Album and Abbey Road, I must say this is my favourite Beatles Album. This is the album at the height of the Beatles pyschedelic period. It contains 10, in my opinion, 10 "5 Star" tracks with Paul's "Your Mother Should Know" lacking behind.
Magical Mystery Tour - Great Title track gives a great feeling of what is to come. I rank it higher than Sgt Peppers title track. Great Groove. 9/10
The Fool on the Hill - Paul's best song on this album. Superb experimentation with unusual instruments. I'm not fantastic when it comes to determining instruments but I'm pretty sure it's a flute! (correct me if I'm wrong) Great vocals. 8.5/10
Flying - Pyschedelic instrumental. Experimentation is lovely here and great to "chillax" to. 9/10
Blue Jay Way - Not the greatest but again great pyschedelic feel and cool drumming from Ringo here. Freaky Vocals. 8/10
Your Mother Should Know - Worst track on the album. Indeed one of "Paul's Granny Songs". Doesn't really fit on the album. I'm thinking perhaps "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" should have been included in this album instead of this track. 7.5/10 (hey it's still a great song)
I am the Walrus - This is where the album goes from great to LEGENDARY! One of the best Beatles songs and one of the best songs ever, the peak of pyschedelia. Think of the lyrical genius John Lennon when you hear this song, this is his peak. easily 10/10
Hello Goodbye - Catchy Lyrics, great groove, I love the guitar riff and the lyrics after the second verse. FARRRRRBULOUS. 9/10 (bit stale after a while)
Strawberry Fields - My second favourite track here. This is immoratal John Lennon. Lovely Vocals. This is about an orphanage where Lennon grew up, his Aunt Mimi didn't approve of him hanging around the children there (listen to the lyrics carefully and you will develop an understanding of the track. 10/10
Penny Lane - All you have to do is listen to this and if you enjoy good music you will lave it. 10/10
Baby Your A Rich Man - Pyschedelia starts to come back here. This isn't a classic but still a great groove. 9/10
All You Need Is Love - Classic. What else can you say? 9.9/10 (just can't give it a 10 compared to xome others on this album)
If you buy a Beatles Album this Christmas, buy this one. Truly, fantastic and if you wana trip out to something try this. I feel priveliged to be alive to hear this album. YOU SHOULD BE TOO
Sam, 14
Wellington, NZ
Free Music Review: The tour leads downhill
Hit: 4 Stars
This was pretty much started back when the Beatles were recording Sgt. Pepper. "Strawberry Fields" and "Penny Lane" were released as a single in Feb.1967. "All You Need Is Love" and "Baby You're A Rich Man" in July of 67, and then the rest were done over the next few months, and released a movie. This was all done under alot of pressure, and stress as manager Brian Epstien died of an overdose, and trying to step back into the limelight. Unfortunately, the movie was never show on television in America because the critics over in England felt it was horrible. I actually rented the movie one time, and didn't get past the "I Am The Walrus" segment as I just felt that it was too bizarre. The rest of the songs were slapped together hodge podge, and they are of pretty decent material. I found "Flying" and "Blue Jay Way" to be the best of the bulk of these sessions. I find "Strawberry Fields" to be my other favorite; I remember hearing it the first time in a Pizza Hut resturant in Sept. of 78. I meant to play "Penny Lane", but I accidentally hit for "Strawberry Fields", and by the end of the song I liked "Strawberry Fields" better. This was where the Beatles began reckless abandonment of Beatlemainia, and moving towards individuality.