1966 was arguably the beginning of the end for the Beatles as a ‘pop’ group and the start of their advance into truly experimental and astonishing musicians and studio practitioners. This album has its quota of songs that hark back to their time as pop superstars but also opens the door to what would change popular music forever in the next few years.
The Idle Woman 
In my opinion, the true story of the Beatles began with this album ( ‘Rubber Soul’ was only the shy announcement of changes). Musically, but mainly in the lyrics, it started a new era. The end of simple songs about love and girls and accompanying them ‘infinite’ happiness or ‘boundless’ despair, in different combinations! Of course, I have nothing against love, girls, happiness and despair, but not in such a mass as they were present in their previous albums. It was simply boring and monotonous.
The boys by recording songs like ‘Taxman’, ‘She said,’ and especially ‘Tomorrow Never Knows’ turned into men and opened a door with a kick to the world of mature and thought-out music, in which what really counts is only what you want to tell but not the size of the stadium, which you are able to fill.
For my part, I wouldn’t dismiss Rubber Soul quite as thoroughly – songs like “Norwegian Wood” (which, if nothing else, has claim to classics status by providing the title for a Haruki Murakami novel) or “In My Life” are stunning, and there are a couple more wonderful ones on the album. But yeah, it was more of a prologue to their real greatness which came into its own with Revolver. *wanders off humming “Eleanor Rigby” to herself*
I’m not saying that ‘Rubber Soul’ was bad. It was good, but not as good as ‘Revolver’. 🙂
The Beatles were a classic example of synergy. Separately they had better and worse moments, but only together could create something great. The irony is that their the best album is considered to be one at the declining period when mutual accusations and aversion reached their zenith, and when was the last time they tried to record something together.
‘Eleanor Rigby’ is amazing! Great and very lyrical composition. If I had something to hum to myself it would be ‘Old Brown Shoe’ (from the ‘Past Masters’). I love it for the frantic pace at which there is no time to catch a breath.
Ah, so now I have two Beatles experts to consult for any queries that may come up! Good to know. And yes, Eleanor Rigby is a good song, but so, so sad that I don’t enjoy listening to it all that much 😦 I don’t know Old Brown Shoe at all…
I’m not an expert but I have to admit that they were the first band who I really loved and who I listen to a lot when I was a kid.
‘Old brown shoe’ is a beautiful love song and probably the most underestimated song ever. You should immediately get to know it, every minute counts 😉 … https://vimeo.com/82638847