Artist: The Beatles
Album: The Beatles (The White Album)
Year: 1968
So how exactly does the most popular band in the world, coming off one of the most celebrated albums of all-time, follow it up? A 90-minute eponymous double album, of course!
This one is one of the greatest collection of songs of all time, spanning the gamut of genres and sounds and pushing the envelope even further than Sgt. Pepper's did. Just about everything here is at least interesting, at best one of the best tunes in The Beatles' extensive catalog. Highlights for me are: John's lilting ballad "Dear Prudence," George's epic "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," the contemplative "Blackbird" (which I have often cited as my favorite Beatles song), the folk tale "Rocky Raccoon," the proto-metal "Helter Skelter," and the hokey Ringo-sung closer "Good Night."
Obviously the band as a foursome was in decline at this point. The album feels more the work of four individuals than a united front. And not everything on this album really works: "Revolution 9" is a 8-minute sonic collage that ceases being interesting about a minute in. "Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da" is a catchy enough tune, but in the end is little more than a silly diversion. But these missteps are part of what make the album as charming as it is. Warts and all, The White Album is one of the best of all-time, and could well be the best in The Beatles' oeuvre. I think I might prefer Rubber Soul and Abbey Road on some days but this is truly essential listening.
Rating: Indispensable
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