Remastered Double 180 Gram vinyl housed in a Gatefold Sleeve. This superb compilation, often called 'the red album',, brings together the majority of the Beatles' hits from the early to mid 60s. Consequently, it plays like an overview of thesome of the most popular and indelible rock songs of all time. From the "yeah, yeah, yeah"'s of 'She Loves You' throughthe amped-up giddiness of 'I Want to Hold Your Hand', the minor-key melodicism of 'And I Love Her', and on to the chiming power pop of 'Eight Days a Week' and the tweaky feedback of 'I Feel Fine', these are the songs that turned the entire Western world on its ear.
The second half of the set - in addition to its phenomenal songs - is interesting in that it charts the Beatles' move from straightforward pop toward the new chapter of rock the band would help script in the late 60s. After the expansive chords and slinky melodies of 'Ticket to Ride', the band becomes alternately darkly introspective ('Yesterday') and looser and more groove-obsessed ('Drive My Car'), while trying on allegorical Dylan-inspired narratives ('Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)'), and happy-go-luck psychedelia ('Yellow Submarine').
These songs are part of our living, breathing cultural identity, and - as this collection reminds us - for good reason.
The Beatles - 1962 - 1966 (The Red Album)
A1. Love Me Do
A2. Please Please Me
A3. From Me To You
A4. She Loves You
A5. I Want To Hold Your Hand
A6. All My Loving
A7. Can't Buy Me Love
B1. A Hard Day's Night
B2. And I Love Her
B3. Eight Days A Week
B4. I Feel Fine
B5. Ticket To Ride
B6. Yesterday
C1. Help!
C2. You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
C3. We Can Work It Out
C4. Day Tripper
C5. Drive My Car
C6. Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)
D1. Nowhere Man
D2. Michelle
D3. In My Life
D4. Girl
D5. Paperback Writer
D6. Eleanor Rigby
D7. Yellow Submarine