Every Beatles Album: Rated

It's cool to hate The Beatles. I think it's exponentially more likely that you will get hated on the bigger you become, and really, who's bigger than The Beatles? They've always been extremely controversial: not just because of their music, but because of their public image and countless cases of generally being terrible people. As per usual, we must learn to separate the art from the artist, and watch them evolve into their sound we all have so much to say about. And what can I even say about The Beatles? I mean, where do I even begin. Countless sources will tell you they're the greatest, mot influential, most famous and well-known band in the world. I won't disagree - but that's mainly because I have no memory of ever disliking them. I heard Strawberry Fields Forever at the ripe age of 15, and that's the first I ever heard of them. It's been a love story in endless parts since. Each time I hear a Beatles song I hadn't heard before I regain this sort of, "god I forgot how good they are" feel, and I spiral down their psychedelic rabbithole again. I really wanted to listen to their whole works in order, so I can fully understand their origin and progression, and maybe try to fully grasp how quickly their genius evolved. Maybe I'll hate it, and it'll make me change my mind - who knows!

PLEASE PLEASE ME (1962) 7/10

The Beatles are likely the most influential band of all time, and yet hearing their beginning and their start to paving the path for pop music for the rest of time has sounded very familiar to many other bands around their time. 

It has been surreal to tap into the start of something I know turns out to be entirely different from the music norm and have it sound so copy-paste. Most of the songs on this album are covers, and because I hadn’t listened to the originals, it was fairly easy to listen objectively and see them for the pieces of music they turned out to be, unhindered by what they COULD be. 

I would have really liked I Saw Her Standing There but the lyrics really threw me off. This is the 60s after all, so I best try to brace myself for a lot more of this stuff.

WITH THE BEATLES (1963) 7.5/10

I definitely enjoyed this album more: whilst also being a work full of covers, The Beatles’ sophomore work gives us a lot more of what they’re made of, despite having been released less than 10 months of their debut. 

Altogether, a small but measurable improvement. It sounds like they have explored their sound more and tapped into their creativity, steering very gently away from the customary sound of 60s rock and roll. 

Once again, I was thrown off by some of the lyrics - I am truly trying to view this for a piece of music as it is, and trying to turn a blind eye to the words, considering the time that they were written. 

Not bad!

A HARD DAY’S NIGHT (1964) 8/10 

LOVED it. 

And I Love Her - one track sampled many times over, even in modern or contemporary music. What a riff! Absolutely adored it and the arrangement, I love how the tracks spoke to each other and how the members seem to at last veer off what they’re supposed to do and decide on an entirely different genre. 

For the most part, it does still sound sort of par with the norm but what a thrill it is to see the beginnings of their sound: as a humble fan of the Beatles with prior knowledge to mostly their later or most courageous work, hearing echoes of their careful planning so early on in the process is incredible. 

Once more however, I am completely put off by the lyrics in You Can’t Do That - maybe it was supposed to satirize that kind off attitude? Something about it was deeply disturbing to me and I cringed. I’m certain i only feel this way hearing these lyrics with my 21st century ears; perhaps it may have come across as protective and sexy at that time but very creepy and possessive now. 

No covers this time! 

It’s great to finally listen to a body of work by The Beatles that is 100% theirs. Looking forward to their continuing sound and how it shapes into what I know it to be.

BEATLES FOR SALE (1964) 7/10

I was quite disappointed with this one ! 

I understand what it’s doing: commenting on Beatlemania, the phenomenon newly coined as The British Invasion, the industry in general and fame, and a critique on how each song feels commercial and insincere, not necessarily par with the intended creative reach of The Beatles, but rather more inclined to making music that makes money, and yet somehow this ends up being JUST that. 

To me, it failed its purpose quite a bit and felt regressive in many ways - almost like we’re seeing this critique of the label and of the music industry whilst simultaneously complying to it and its intention with the music. It felt like we had something really good stirring up with the previous two albums, A Hard Day’s Night and With The Beatles, but had this progress erased right back to where we started: copy-paste rock and roll. 

Regardless of this, the album is good. 

It has a great feel, and whilst it does not stick out i still enjoyed it as a body of work. I think in some of the songs we see a little bit of self loathing and a general feeling sorry for oneself which is such an interesting feeling to see men singing about around this time - I can totally see how they resonated so well with a younger female audience: you didn’t really hear vulnerability like this coming from men of the mid 20th century. It’s probably the most revolutionary aspect to this album. 

What You’re Doing, however, struck me as a bit whiny. Not a bad track to listen to but certainly a song worth writing in different words, so as not to erase the great progress of the previous tracks in this album.

HELP! (1965) 7.5/10

WE ARE SO BACK!!! 

Loved pretty much every moment of this album. I would totally buy this for my collection of CDs. As expected, I was very taken aback by Yesterday... what a great track. I remember watching the live performance of this wonderful song where, at the height of Beatlemania, every screaming voice turns to quiet when Paul begins singing. 

Great overall album as well; with the exception of a couple of tracks I found a little bit boring/filler, I was very impressed with this comeback. Even though the improvement is still yet to bring us back after the slight disappointment that Beatles For Sale was, it still feels like we’re making excellent progress and starting to see something wonderful bloom here. 

Very satisfying.

RUBBER SOUL (1965): 7.5/10

I'd be lying if I told you that I wasn’t at least a little bit disappointed with this album. 

Left, right and centre you hear that this was The Beatles’ best, and if not, then the start of their best era. This album gets treated like a sort of messiah project, however I have felt it was good at best. 

Certain songs on it were absolutely phenomenal and certainly a step forward into the futuristic and exciting reputation The Beatles are building. But there is still a lot of filler. 

I loved the sitar!! I am really loving witnessing the development of George Harrison into the guitarist we know him to be, and expanding his musical and professional horizons. Just wonderful. 

I give Rubber Soul the credit it deserves in that it’s good. It’s a pioneer despite its predecessors. It’s an indication of Bob Dylan’s doing with his influence, shall we say, and the other substances we know The Beatles have been doing around 1965. You can really hear the shift.

It’s also worth noting how quickly these activities have changed the sound of The Beatles forever, with only just about less than 4 months between Rubber Soul and Help! and that’s pretty amazing. 

I’m giving it all the credit it’s due for all the revolutionary changes and to the very short amount of time it had come together (no pun intended yet), but as it stands it’s still a 7.5. I’m convinced that if we had given it a year, Rubber Soul would have been significantly better - maybe even a 9. 

Yet again with the awful lyrics, in Run For Your Life!! They can do so much better and they will. We just  have to give them the time to pull through.

REVOLVER (1966): 8.5/10

adored. adored. adored. absolutely adored. 

The only skip on this album is Good Day Sunshine, and whilst i feel like it fits in quite well with the rest of the album, I found it obnoxious - I’m so sorry. 

The overall structure of the tracks is insane. The way we’re taken on a journey, the lyricism, the consistency in the sound, the concordance between each theme, what is not to love about Revolver? 

Not to mention the completely masterful sound of Eleanor Rigby? Hello?? Full orchestra??? Unbelievable. 

I might have rated it higher still but i know how much better The Beatles can do. It’s amazing how quickly this rock n roll band from the early 60s is becoming a staple and a blueprint for all pop music for the rest of time - I’m deeply moved by this progress. 

Amazing.

SGT. PEPPER’S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND (1967): 9.5/10

Brilliant. Just brilliant. 

It’s at the point in my listening journey of The Beatles where I can sense that we are approaching some sort of peak - whether musically or creatively, I think as of now, this has been the most creative and whimsical work that The Beatles have put out. It certainly deserves its spot in music history as one of the most influential and recognisable albums of all time. 

It’s near perfect. 

I’m discrediting the half point simply because Good Morning Good Morning objectively sucks and it’s irritating. Will die on this hill. 

Once again The Beatles rush, or maybe, they ARE rushed by the label, to put out a record without being given the time to finish everything properly: Strawberry Fields Forever might have been ready in time for this album and could have gone with the theme incredibly. Not to mention it would have upped the stakes for this album to such a massive extent it almost breaks my heart it could not be done. 

The currency of The Beatles is speed. It seems that is also their hamartia.

MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR (1967): 9.75

Once again I must give The Beatles immeasurable credit for the speed to which they deliver solid albums pretty consistently; this time something I can only call a masterpiece. This album had only come out about 5 months after its predecessor, Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band. I could not fathom pushing an even better work less tan half a year of what is considered my best yet. Incredible work indeed. 

I loved basically everything about it. All You Need Is Love is actually the old theme song to a very trashy but very popular dating reality TV show in Romania called Din Dragoste (Out Of Love) which is where I recognise this from. It’s astonishing what kind of reach The Beatles have, and what kind of impact they have had worldwide. No longer are The Beatles a western fad, they are demonstrating a branding and unforgettable capability to go global. I believe by this point they had become a household name, and most of the people in the world would be able to name if not sing at least one Beatles song.

The legacy they hereby create with this album is insane. 

It was tough choosing a least favourite track, but I have to admit Blue Jay Way was simply just about not up to scratch. Whilst the rest of this album exhibits an energetic whimsical and dream-like quality, Blue Jay Way keeps the project anchored to the stripped back, yet overly mellow tone of John Lennon’s newfound vocal EQ - soon to become iconic and copied by many. 

I understand its importance, but I would be lying if I said it didn’t bore me slightly. I suppose each album or collection of music must have a mellowing aspect, but I sense greater potential in Blue Jay Way. I do love the sitar, but I would have liked to see something more here. 

Overall, this album is a masterpiece, and I begin to appreciate the presence of Strawberry Fields Forever in Magical Mystery Tour. This album poses a very difficult question: would you risk a fantastic album to have a perfect predecessor, or would you rather have two more intriguing bodies of work?

THE BEATLES (THE WHITE ALBUM) (1968): 9.85/10 

ONLY BECAUSE it had a plethora of choice. I think if we either cut this album directly in half or divided the songs evenly, sensitive to rating, into two separate albums, (much like you’d split your mates into teams for pool) neither will be half as good as either Sgt. Pepper or Magical Mystery Tour. 

I can see exactly where this lengthy piece of music came from though. The endless criticism for not merging the previous two into one marvellous work, or rather to even consider Magical Mystery Tour an album in itself as opposed to an anthology must have been killer. 

I wasn’t born in the wrong generation at all but what I’d give to witness this is immeasurable. 

I loved it. 

My only complaint with it is that it’s quite long - but that shouldn’t be an issue if the work is good, and it is. 

Banger after banger demonstrates the capability of both the band and the creative direction to prevail beyond a peak or a fad, BUT…

My first poor rating. What the hell was that. I had to think of a way to colour code Revolution 9 to indicate HOW extremely displeased I with it whilst also not giving it a 0 or a 1. I can’t muster the courage to do that to The Beatles. 

Tell me if I don’t get it but I thought it was trash. 

HAPPINESS IS A WARM GUN is a belter. I look forward to getting a car so that I can bring my White Album CD and play that. WHAT a song. 

OB LA DI OB LA DA! LIFE GOES ON! Chef’s kiss. WHILE MY GUITAR GENTLY WEEPS. George, they did you so dirty with this. The Prince version is how it should have sounded all along. No one took you seriously. BLACKBIRD ! HOW does one cook that up. 

It was honestly impossible to choose a favourite. I will in all earnest take a criticism to the top song on this album, but I won’t accept that Revolution 9 sucks and has no place on this. 

Very impressed ! This is a grain of salt 9.85, and yet that is how it scores.

YELLOW SUBMARINE (1968): 9.99/10

I was wondering if this one counts! Just because it’s mostly a George Martin project and because it’s the soundtrack to their animation. But in the end it’s hard to believe I almost discounted it. 

I was totally surprised to rank this higher than the classics, but I loved every minute of this album, and i think it could actually be the first I’ve ever listened to where I wouldn’t skip at least one track. It was really quite amazing. 

The first half gives us the distinct Beatles sound, now become a classic, and the second spoils us with an orchestral masterpiece- all thanks to George Martin, truly now become a fifth Beatle in his own right. 

Once again the iconic Yellow Submarine reaches worldwide audiences, as they grow infinitely greater and faster than any other band before. 

I had no comments on it. I look forward to watching the animation too! I wonder if it matches what I pictured when I was listening. 

I had to pick a least favourite, and it had to be Pepperland Laid Waste, but I still wouldn’t skip it. I sense that in this track on the animation, we reach a moment of tension, so its place is important in the album. I have to admit, though, that if I could cut that track in half, the album would truly be a masterpiece. 

Very very close! But incredible nonetheless.

ABBEY ROAD (1969): 9.9/10

AMAZING AMAZING AMAZING!! 

I have very few criticisms to this album, in that I have absolutely none. The only skip on this album is Maxwell’s Silver Hammer, and even that is only because it’s relative to the rest of the album. Suppose I heard that song in the wild I would love it, but in this case I believe it drags the start of the album down. 

This is so iconic. And only nine months after their previous release. Just brilliant. A plethora of choice for the best song: Here Comes The Sun. Come Together. Oh! Darling! ctopus’s Garden. Truly an inclusive and outstanding project. I’m almost sad to know I’ve reached some sort of peak here. Knowing that this is the best they could do is bittersweet. 

Ringo Starr is an extraordinary drummer. It really comes through in this album - I find each Beatle has an album which highlights their capabilities, and this is certainly Ringo’s. 

It’s been a helluva journey indeed. I hope Let It Be is just as good.

LET IT BE (1970): 9.4/10 

What an album. What a band. What an incredible journey. What a coda for the world. What an end of an era. 

I would have absolutely been a Beatles girl if I had been a teenager in the 60s. 

It’s so astonishing to have witnessed the rise to fame of the greatest bands in the history of music and to have heard such an amazing coda to it: Let It Be! Someone said, "imagine One Direction turned into Radiohead in the time between the start of the COVID pandemic and GTA 6", and I just can't get it out of my head how unbelievably impressive that would be to witness in real time.

There is very little left to say, except for the fact that if you dislike The Beatles, chances are, you have not heard enough of them. They truly are four bands in one and there's a little bit for everyone. How iconic is this band and how incredible have they become in such a short space of time? What others fail to accomplish in 20 years the beatles delivered and wrapped up with a bow on top in five. 

Thus concludes all of The Beatles. I cannot decide on a favourite album but I only have one favourite Beatle: George. if George Harrison has no fans, then something has happened to me!

Maybe Magical Mystery Tour and Yellow Submarine with most of Abbey Road? Can I do that?