I have to say, I've always had mixed feelings on this one. Being in the U.S., I of course had Beatles '65 first and then later realized the differences in U.K. vs. American albums. THEN came the cd editions where I finally got the original albums. That said, I always liked most of the songs on here. I always thought Mr. Moonlight was the "clunker" and was maybe just added to coincide with "I'll Follow The Sun"? To me, The Beatles are a band that never had a bad album. Just DEGREES of greatness. I would put this album as a whole on the lower side, but when you listen to the original songs on here, they stack up well with any other Lennon/McCartney songs of the era, with John's songs almost hinting at what was to come on Rubber Soul. Amazing how an album discussed as one of The Beatles' lesser albums still blows today's music out of the water! (Just my opinion there, I guess!) Thanks for the great review, Matthew!
I actually think Beatles ‘65 is a better album than Beatles For Sale, although I like both. I agree about the degrees of greatness. Even a lesser Beatles album has a lot to enjoy, and this one definitely shows signs of their progression that would bear fruit on Rubber Soul - just one year later! Thanks so much for your comments and for subscribing, Kurt.
Good take on this album Matthew. I never owned this album or Beatles 65 until I had already purchased Sgt.Pepper thru the White Album so did not care too much for the music on it. Like the later day Beatles music the best but like you say there is plenty of good songs here to be enjoyed. Take care!
Thanks, Sharon. I had those later albums before I got this one too so that may be part of why it took me a little while to warm up to it. I generally prefer the later albums and even amongst the early stuff I think A Hard Day's Night is much better, but judged on its own merits I find Beatles For Sale to have a lot to enjoy. I always appreciate your comments!
I have to say, I've always had mixed feelings on this one. Being in the U.S., I of course had Beatles '65 first and then later realized the differences in U.K. vs. American albums. THEN came the cd editions where I finally got the original albums. That said, I always liked most of the songs on here. I always thought Mr. Moonlight was the "clunker" and was maybe just added to coincide with "I'll Follow The Sun"? To me, The Beatles are a band that never had a bad album. Just DEGREES of greatness. I would put this album as a whole on the lower side, but when you listen to the original songs on here, they stack up well with any other Lennon/McCartney songs of the era, with John's songs almost hinting at what was to come on Rubber Soul. Amazing how an album discussed as one of The Beatles' lesser albums still blows today's music out of the water! (Just my opinion there, I guess!) Thanks for the great review, Matthew!
I actually think Beatles ‘65 is a better album than Beatles For Sale, although I like both. I agree about the degrees of greatness. Even a lesser Beatles album has a lot to enjoy, and this one definitely shows signs of their progression that would bear fruit on Rubber Soul - just one year later! Thanks so much for your comments and for subscribing, Kurt.
Good take on this album Matthew. I never owned this album or Beatles 65 until I had already purchased Sgt.Pepper thru the White Album so did not care too much for the music on it. Like the later day Beatles music the best but like you say there is plenty of good songs here to be enjoyed. Take care!
Thanks, Sharon. I had those later albums before I got this one too so that may be part of why it took me a little while to warm up to it. I generally prefer the later albums and even amongst the early stuff I think A Hard Day's Night is much better, but judged on its own merits I find Beatles For Sale to have a lot to enjoy. I always appreciate your comments!