The White Album
Don't get me wrong, this is a great collection of tunes. Recorded in 1968, The Beatles aka The White
Album has arguably generated more debate than any other Beatles LP. This album is also the beginning of a lot of inner turmoil within the group, which might explain some of the dysfunction. The Beatles had done the India thing, Ringo quit for a few days, and Yoko Ono was hanging out in the studio.
The Beatles got away from the studio tricks of Sgt. Peppers and Magical Mystery Tour era songs, especially with the more organic, acoustic-
guitar based tracks they wrote in India. Dear Prudence, Blackbird, and Mother Nature's Son are all very beautiful songs. There are straight ahead rock numbers like Back in the USSR with its mock Beach Boys chorus and twisted Russian
lyrics. Paul plays drums on both Prudence and USSR. Other tunes like Birthday and Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except for Me and My Monkey proved the Beatles could still really rock, and Helter Skelter is raw metal.
If George Martin had had his way, this would have been a classic single album, but we would have missed quirky tunes like The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill with Yoko's warbled but when he looked so fierce lyric. Or the multi-style, multi-time signature Happiness is a Warm Gun with some bizarre John Lennon lyrics and not so hidden theme.
The best song of this set is George Harrison's While My Guitar Gently Weeps with its haunting rhythm, world-weary lyrics and Eric Clapton guitar solo. There's a beautiful, intimate solo acoustic version on Anthology 3 that's not to be missed.
Fantastic. The worlds best ever band. But they have done better.....