Revolver - The Beatles (1966)

My first Beatles cassette was not Revolver. It was some sort of EMI comp that I can’t find any record of. It wasn’t the “official” red album or blue album greatest hits (though I got to those quickly). I’m pretty sure it didn’t contain any of Sgt Pepper or the White Album. But in terms of what left an impression from that first exposure, it was almost all tracks from Revolver.

Looking back with more knowledge, I can see why. This record is a sort of midway point between the airtight songcraft before it and the widescreen ambition to follow.

It might also be the first album that distinctly sounded like a rock album, with the heavy compression on the ringing guitars and echoing drums.

It’s a great piece of work, an end-to-end must-hear.