Cumartesi 15 Eyl 2007, 16:59

Wella peeples, I'm starting a new thing here. This here's the Magical Review Tour, where I shall pass my judgement on several albums, with random intervals and uncontrollable fury. First up is the slightly pseudo-eponymous release by The Beatles, Magical Mystery Tour. Roll up me hearties, yo ho!

Background Information - The "Magical Mystery Tour" was the third film featuring the Fab Four. With absolutely no scripting, the boys recorded a lot of random dancing in walrus costumes and whatnot, while stuffing in the new songs they had made and what might be an autopsy photo of Paul. Panned by critics and audience alike. However, the movie at least had one good thing - the soundtrack. This is the review of said soundtrack.
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01. Magical Mystery Tour (Lennon/McCartney)

The album starts off with a bang - the title track. Simplistic it may be, sounding like a weird theme for some TV show, but it is catchy. A snide little double entendre from John ("Roll up for the Mystery Tour"), and a nice outro makes this a good intro for any album (unless it's emo goth stabheartohnocryandwastetimeslashingwristscore). And it has that special function; it sounds better if you drive while hearing it.

9/10

02. The Fool on the Hill (Lennon/McCartney)

Track number two is a slower piece, nice for a little toning down after the title track. Starting out in D9, "The Fool on the Hill" appears to be a regular Paul-ish ballad, but when the refrain comes, with its tone-changing, I realized it was something else. And after the second verse, a wicked recorder "solo" begins. Strangely uplifting. The only band that can make that lowly instrument, the recorder, into something actually likable, actually, very much so. Very nice when you're walking the windswept valleys or whatever you do in your spare time.

03. Flying (Lennon/McCartney/Harrison/Starr)

Now it starts getting weird. "Flying" is one of the two instrumental pieces made by the 'Four. It's a relatively slow and relaxing piece, but it's not particularly memorable, and, being an instrumental, lack lyrics, which are a big strength for any Beatles song. It's not too bad, but not too good either. And maybe it was a bit much putting this right after "The Fool on the Hill".

7/10

04. Blue Jay Way (Harrison)

Ah, finally a George Harrison original. And boy, what an original it truly is. "Blue Jay Way" starts off with a slow organ intro, and continues on into a haunting composition with surprisingly dark and ominous lyrics with EVP-like backing choruses. The overall effect is extremely awesome, really an embodiment of the musical spectrum the Beatles could cover. And George, of course, shows his masterful lyrical craftsmanship. One of my all time favourite Beatles tracks.

10/10

05. Your Mother Should Know (Lennon/McCartney)

Now we're going back to something more down-to-earth and more old school Beatlish. "Your Mother Should Know" has one of those melody lines that could easily be on one of those specially crafted doorbells that play songs instead of the regular ringing, you know what I mean. It's simple, but hey, it works. It's just a tad too repetitive and weak lyrically.

8/10

06. I Am the Walrus (Lennon/McCartney)

Time for a little dip in Lake Psychadelia. "I Am the Walrus" is one of the more famous ones off of Magical Mystery Tour, and justly so. Featuring John singing non-sequiturs in an "electrically-charged" voice, to an absolutely insane melody line, it really shows off what a creative person on LSD can make. One of the best Beatles sing-alongs too (I mean, what girl can resist someone shouting "I Am the Walrus, goo goo g'joob!" on the top of his voice?). I never was a fan of "weird" songs like this, it seems like the Beatles are the only ones who can actually create a masterpiece out of something like this. My all-time favourite Beatles song.

10/10

07. Hello Goodbye (Lennon/McCartney)

Little blast from the past here, mixed with some new. "Hello Goodbye" is shaped from the same mold as some of their older stuff, which is…not bad at all. This is one of the typical "hit"-type songs they would make, but that does not detract from the quality of its melody or lyrics (as is usual with hit songs). I like it, although it's not one of those I can listen to repeatedly.

9/10

08. Strawberry Fields Forever (Lennon/McCartney)
Ah, yes. Another one of the most popular compositions, "Strawberry Fields Forever" is a slightly psychadelic track of undeterminable rockage. Strangely relaxing too it is. The chorus is one of the best things they have ever done, with its switch in tone, almost from pleasant to dark and back again in two seconds, which is not something any artist(s) can do. The lyrics outside of the chorus, also, are great. Another of my all-time Beatley favourites!

09. Penny Lane (Lennon/McCartney)
Now we're back to the slightly nostalgic kind of song "Your Mother Should Know" has. "Penny Lane" is Macca's ode to the small street he lived near as a boy. It's easy to visualize how life was on said street, with the nice descriptive lyrics and melody. It's not my favourite on the album, or in general, but I like it nonetheless.

8/10

10. Baby You're a Rich Man (Nasty/McQuickly)
Hehe, now we're talking. In the key of G, "Baby You're a Rich Man" is an awesome catchy rock song. The song is comprised of origanally two different compositions which were edited into one song, the chorus by McCartney and the rest by Lennon. The chorus is one of the strongest made by the four, and has hilarious lyrics. The perfect Beatles (pure) rock song.

10/10

11. All You Need Is Love (Lennon/McCartney)
And finally, there is "All You Need Is Love", an ode to peace and (you guessed it!) love, and those things. One of their most sing-a-longish, it has that quality that…you know. Makes you believe that love is really all you need. It also ends with an off-key singing of She Loves You which is really cool. A great finale it surely is.

9/10

Overall Score:
9.8
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Well, that's it then. Great album. Tune in for the next part in the Magical Review Tour, probably featuring Kaizers Orchestra or Skambankt. Happy entrails captains!