The Beatles' Revolver

In this discussion, I will be referring to the experiences related to the Beatles’ release of the Revolver album. (1966) Growing up with the Beatles as my main listening choice, I was able to appreciate the music at an early age, before music became mostly electronic. Here are my thoughts on some major questions:

Describe the music and image of The Beatles prior to the recording of Revolver.

Prior to the release of the Beatles’ album Revolver (1966), the “Fab-four” from Liverpool were the idols of all young women, and men, who ever wanted to let loose and have fun. The music that they created was "pop" music for everyone to enjoy. In my opinion, it was more based on the clean-cut image and how society would react to it. After becoming a sensation, their image was more of a marketing tool than a symbol. Upon the release of the Revolver album, however, the band’s image and sound changed dramatically in such a short period of time. After taking some well needed time off to recharge, the group went in many different directions in order to follow other paths of enlightenment. With the variety of experimental sounds and lyrics, combined with ideas conceived from LSD usage to expand their creativity, they realized how much more they could create.

What non-musical interests influenced the music and lyrical content of Revolver?

With the rise of the drug scene during the 60’s, it was no surprise that the “lads” were introduced to the elements that most did at that time. Artists like Bob Dylan introduced them to marijuana and, soon enough, LSD as a stimulant that would change the entire face of their music.

Explain how the Beatles used the studio as an instrument during the recording of Revolver.

The very influences that changed the Beatles’ sound from pop to psychedelic also released some very ideal musical changes in how their music was not only created, but how it was developed. The studio element was used more like a laboratory than a studio. Studio technicians in white lab coats were the “norm” for the studio sessions, as all technicians and members of the band would experiment on different processes to make a new sound or technique that they could use.

Discuss in detail a minimum of two innovations found on Revolver e.g. tape loops, instrumentation, vocal treatments, doubling of instruments, sound effects, and compression.

The use of reverse recordings and samples to create a new sound revolutionized the process. Also, compression was used more in the studio as a tool for a heavier sounding drum. Channeling vocals through a Leslie speaker cabinet (normally used as a loudspeaker for a Hammond organ) was one of the techniques used for recording in a new way. Beatles' engineers experimented with Coca-Cola cans and buckets of water for other sound designs, as well as, utilizing Varispeed on tape recorders to slow down or speed up vocals and instruments. This added a new element to their design. The creation of Artificial Double Tracking was one of the Beatles' engineers greatest contribution. This technique was accomplished by running the same track over the tape recorder head with a small delay.Added to guitar parts or vocals added depth and add extra elemental parts to already existing tracks.

What impression does Revolver have on you as a listener and as an industry professional? 




As a professional, I can appreciate the amount of experimenting and creating the Beatles and their engineers did and how much it benefited the industry for all of us. Their determination to create something new and totally different than anything they had ever done before opened up so many new avenues of achieving the best sound. As a listener, I truly enjoy the old and the new. I can appreciate their harmonies, their ability to play so well and how they recorded it. Their techniques seem archaic to some because of how easy we have it now, but the principles behind what we utilize daily and take for granted, still leave people in "awe" when you actually apply it yourself.