Letters to the Editor
Xeynon
Published Letters: 11 Editor's Choice: 1
-
I don't get it either...
[Read the article: Why is "Sgt. Pepper" so overhyped?]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]I'm a young'un (Sgt. Pepper's is 13 years old than I am) and only really delved deeply into the Beatles' catalogue in the past few years, but for my money it's no better than their 5th best record - Rubber Soul is IMO a clear-cut #1, followed by Revolver and the White Album in whichever order, then Help!. Marred as it is by crappy throwaways (Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Octopus' Garden, et. al.) you can even make a case that Abbey Road is better.
Pepper's really only has one defining Beatles' song, the aforementioned A Day In The Life. Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Within You Without You, and With a Little Help From My Friends are good but the Beatles did psychedelic (I Am The Walrus) and Indian influence (Love You Too) as well or better elsewhere, and being the best of their Ringo-droned pop songs doesn't exactly qualify WALHFMF for classic status. Some of the music-hall influenced stuff (e.g. When I'm 64) I find borderline unlistenable and usually skip when it comes up on my iPod.
Compare to an album like Rubber Soul which contains no fewer than 4 songs as good or better than Sgt. Pepper's best (Drive My Car, Norwegian Wood, Michelle, In My Life) as well as several overlooked tracks which I personally think are among the Beatles' best as well (Nowhere Man, The Word, I'm Looking Through You). I don't there really is a comparison.. and for musical diversity Revolver easily rivals if not surpasses Pepper's (Eleanor Rigby, Tomorrow Never Knows, etc.)
The only thing Pepper's has going for it is the concept, and the memorable cover art. It's a great album (I think excepting Yellow Submarine the Beatles didn't release anything but) but it's not their greatest or the greatest album of 1967. I think you can even make a good case that it wasn't even in the top 5 of 1967 releases. I have a hard time saying it's definitely better than The Doors, The Velvet Underground & Nico, Something Else By The Kinks, Are You Experienced?, or Disraeli Gears.
Oh, and additional demerits for inspiring the legions of crappy, pretentious concept albums by crappy pretentious art rock bands that followed in its wake.
-
This just in...
[Read the article: King Kaufman's Sports Daily]
[Read more letters about this article: Here]Kobe Bryant is a tool. Who hasn't known that since the first time he debuted that faux- Michael Jordan head shake? The horrible rap album, pathetic attempt at a street cred makeover, and alleged rape only sealed the deal.
My fellow Philly fans often live up to their reputation of being ignorant, boorish, and crude. But they are 100% right about booing Kobe.