It’s a bit ironic that the first few moments of Revolver by The Beatles feature an amateur sounding candid count-in with coughs in the background, because the next 35 minutes feature some of the most innovative and advanced recording techniques of the mid 1960s. For example, Ken Townsend invented Artificial Double Tracking during the creation of Revolver. Also featured are the most confident, groundbreaking and unexpected lyrical themes that the Beatles had released up to this point, layered over sonic soundscapes inspired by everything from classical music to music of the 1920s, modern music and Eastern music.
The Beatles released the single “Paperback Writer” 2 months before Revolver was released. This was one of very first opportunities listeners had to hear the Beatles sing about a theme other than love. Fans of this departure from the norm were delighted to hear the continuation of this trend on “Taxman”, the first track on Revolver, and one of the first times the Beatles display defiance and challenge their government.
Revolver takes listeners on a journey of love, passion, power, aggression, heart-break, sex, drugs and rock and roll. Variety is the theme and listeners learn to expect the unexpected. The Beatles paint with tape loops, backwards guitar, manipulated vocals, orchestral strings, horns and an Indian sitar. Revolver is as sophisticated as it is wild, delicate as it is dangerous. Just like a weapon.
keithweidner 