Reviews (page 6 of 15)
Cool record You can hear the blueprint of what the Beatles would become. I enjoyed some of the covers.
Enjoyed this more than I expected to, to the extent I'd probably listen to this again.
Yeah, this is really good and some all timers included (come together, something, here comes the sun, because) but Maxwell's Silver Hammer is atrocious.
good
I was going to do this whole bit about how this record was bad because the Beatles had gone hippie. But the reality is, these early records are fine, but not great. The significance of this release has been diminished by time. It's still good though.
Songs are pretty short and don't flow into each other well. Great, sweet love songs with very little complexity. No difficulty hearing any lyrics. Till There Was You is a beautiful showcase of Paul's singing at its best. I like the subversiveness of 'You've Really Got A Hold On Me,' where the singer admits the object of his affection treats him badly. That's about as edgy as it gets.
My first ‘Beatles’ album in this list! An exciting day for any fan. Personally, I think this is one of their weaker albums due to the fact they are still attempting covers and haven’t yet hit their creative peak (and oh boy, do they deliver). However, as it’s the fab four I can’t give it less than 4 as this album undoubtedly includes some of their classic hits!
even I as one their biggest fan would have to admit - they've got better ones.
I mean, that's Beatles, that's good
Me encantó. Un disco lleno de temazos y clásicos con un sonido súper fresco (considerando que son de los años sesenta).
Впервые в жизни слушаю битлов полностью, раньше слышал только отрывками отдельные треки. Честно говоря, ничего сверхиновационного не услышал, разве что It Won't Be Long - звучит необычно и заедает в голове
I love the Beatles, but although the musicianship is there, this doesn't have the composition strength of later albums. Standout song is All My Loving, which is great (Hold Me Tight is a bit of a stinker though). Serviceable covers played with verve (Money is among the best). A lower end four.
Sooooo good!!!
"The Beatles when they were shite," the top review on this site writes, immediately outing themselves as a ghoul without a soul. Is a song like All I've Got To Do melodramatic and juvenile... yes? Is it two minutes of pure soul, 22-year-old Lennon belting like he's Smokey Robinson? Hell yes!!! This is obviously still studio-driven early-era Beatles, but it's not like they couldn't pump out bangers. All My Loving is worth the price of admission on its own. The covers - The Music Man into the Marvelettes into Chuck Berry (!!!) is a generational run - are incredible, and were a real portal for me. Tell Tchaikovsky the news. I could never -objectively- look at a record like this. I can practically see the cartoons in my head when I hear Hold Me Tight. This is a borderline masterpiece. It presages the singular creative output to come.
3.5. Always like be some Beatles!
This album is quintessential Beatles with some of their best early hits. I feel like all of these songs are bops. No notes, I love me some Beatles!
Banger
I fell back asleep but it was chill
I love the beatles, but this is probably one of the weaker albums for me. Some classics on here and the start of greatness that comes later. Still worthy of lots of stars and love
very good beatles classic stuff
Pre-listening thoughts: love that we got this after our trivia team name was The Shitty Beatles the night before Post/during listening thoughts: yeah this sure is early Beatles! To be honest, I'm not sure why this album was included. It's great, I mean The Beatles are classic, but it feels like it was only included BECAUSE it's The Beatles. I feel like especially with Roll Over Beethoven on this album, this spot should've gone to Chuck Berry. I also said I didn't think I'd ever give a Beatles album lower than a five but this is like the worst the Beatles get. 8/10 DID I NEED TO HEAR THIS BEFORE I DIE: no Fav tracks: All My Loving, Till There Was You (MUSIC MAN MENTIONED), Please Mister Postman (although this isn't even a top 3 cover of this song), You Really Got a Hold On Me Least fav tracks: none
First Beatles day!!! This one had a few stinkers, but it was good and I could definitely hear elements of what this band would develop into
Even as 'packaged' as the Beatles were at this point in their careers, you can hear what they will be capable of.
The seeds are there. This doesn’t stand next to their legendary albums, but it was quite respectable in its own way.
I’m not a huge Beatles fan, but this is undeniably a great album. Favourite tracks: It Won’t Be Long, Money, All My Loving.
You say Beatles, I am probably gonna give it a high score. I have a serious soft spot for their early catalog in general. It's just so sing-along-able, and I love to do so. 4.25/5
Love that their voices aren’t actually incredible, but so pure, raw, and real. The harmonies are so nice. It’s fascinating how they figured them out. Wonder why there are so many covers on this album? Cohesive sound throughout the album is very pleasant and listenable. I can see how The Beatles became huge stars. Cute English guys with an extremely palatable sound.
Kort og godt. Ikke det bedste Beatles, men nem at nyde. Og måske vigtigst, så kender det sin besøgstid!
I own this because i inherited it from my mother and really cannot fault it. It is not something that i put on to listen to often but I really enjoyed listening to this and there are some great songs. Till there was you is easily the standout song. Solid 4 stars
A great introduction to the Beatles… chock full of classics. Not my favorite of theirs, but very happy to see this one pop up for me today.
Maybe their worst album
Not bad at all. Good stuff. I think this band will be pretty successful. They might catch on.
Some great Beatles songs on here and a few really duff ones and too many covers. All in all a decent second album on their way to much greater things!
I liked it a lot very good songs favorites are All my loving and Roll over Beethoven
This album was fun with so many hits, but many of the covers disrupted the momentum. Having said that, their version of Money (That's What I Want) is the best, for my money.
While I don't like early Beatles as much as their middle- to late-period stuff, I still enjoyed the hell outta this. Four stars.
Early Beatles classics
After getting three later albums of all-original material (Sgt. Pepper, Revolver, A Hard Day's Night), it feels weird getting an early record of theirs where nearly half the songs are covers. It feels even more bizarre that the album in question is still pretty good. For sure, the covers on With the Beatles were done in such a clear imitation that you can tell where each of the songs came from. "Rock and Roll Music" sounds a lot like Chuck Berry. "You Really Got a Hold on Me" sounds like Smokey Robinson. Both "Please Mr. Postman" and "Money (That's What I Want)" sound like they came straight out of Motown in the delivery. The young lads at this time weren't being experimental in their renditions. Yet, they still played these songs with the top-notch execution that you would expect them to play at this early in their career. Not to mention, the original songs on this record mostly hold up all these decades later. The opening run from "It Won't Be Long" through the George Harrison-led "Don't Bother Me" is still amazing. "Not a Second Time" is a decent cut towards the end. Even the Ringo-led "I Wanna Be Your Man" is a fun bop that Lennon and McCartney originally penned for the Rolling Stones. Overall, With the Beatles may not be an essential listen for a list of albums to listen to before you die in retrospect, but it's still a fun time.
Pretty classic Beatles sound here. It was nice to have the many covers add a layer of soul to the Beatles Britishness. They managed to nail a lot of the covers while maintaining their personal sound. I love that fact that they all got to sing on this album and the messy history of its many releases.
Really liked this. Even if it’s obviously not quite as good as the Beatles later work it’s still amazing. 4 stars
Kind of hard to rank this as it’s really good since it’s the Beatles but it’s definitely my least favourite from the ones I’ve heard(which is pretty much all of them by this point), it still has some good songs though like the first one and pretty much the entire second side of the album, definitely not their strongest though but I’m still gonna give this a low 4. Overall 7/10.
Dope
Fantastic Album, approached it with an open mind and really enjoyed it. Tbh, I didn’t think it was gonna be as good as it was.
Not my favourite Beatle's album but still worth a listen.
Høyrt lite på før, sidan eg høyrer mest på eldre The Beatles, men overraskande bra og friskt.
Obviously not the Beatles best work being so early in their careers but still a heap of fun to be had, especially All My Loving and You Really Got a Hold. Just love these four boys form Liverpool eh!
Va che bello con le canzoni tutte corte. Azz quelle che mi piacciono di più sono cover.
350/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌕🌑
Even on their early just-finding-my-feet days, this band was something else. The album starts with It Won't Be Long at full throttle and, while there are some slower songs, never really lets go. I'm not going to bother with "oh but they got better.." because obviously this isn't The White Album. This is great: short, snappy, intensely energetic, and fully committed.
Always love listening to the Beatles
Good old Beatles teen love songs.
3.5 overall since I zone out quite a bit when relistening to this but rounding up because Till There Was You is one of my favorite Beatles songs lyrically and instrumentally really enjoyed this throughout even if I zone out
Done
Oldie but goldie
This is very good. It's funny to hear early Beatles, because they are cool, but just very old-timey rock. I said earlier (for Revolver) that it was like the Beatles had discovered a bunch of new sounds but didn't know how to use them yet. Here, they have not discovered as broad a vocabulary, but use a narrower range of sounds very competently. I'll say I think if I were making 1001 albums, this wouldn't make the cut--there are many Beatles albums, and this is neither the best, nor the first, nor particularly trailblazing, nor the best of its era. 4 stars. That said its better than albums that I absolutely think do belong.
This is not The Beatles at their best, but you can start to see what they will end up with in these early songs. And so even if it's not fantastic, it's still pretty good.
There are a lot of classics on this album, but I had ZERO idea that the Beatles covered Mister Postman. Homophobic that they changed the lyrics so they wouldn't be in love with a man, I am brave for saying this.
You can see how they became The Beatles from a lot of these songs, but there are some fairly mediocre ones too. I always find their rendition of Roll Over Beethoven pretty funny - the intro riff is such a comically simplified version of the Chuck Berry version is sounds like when your buddy is just learning guitar.
Till There was You is lovely.
01) It Won't Be Long - 8,5 02) All I've Got to Do - 9,0 03) All My Loving - 10,0 04) Don't Bother Me - 8,5 05) Little Child - 8,5 06) Till There Was You - 9,0 07) Please Mr. Postman - 9,0 08) Roll Over Beethoven - 8,5 09) Hold Me Tight - 8,5 10) You Really Got a Hold on Me - 8,0 11) I Wanna Be Your Man - 8,0 12) Devil in Her Heart - 8,5 13) Not a Second Time - 8,0 14) Money (That's What I Want) - 8,0 TOTAL: 8,57 (86/100)
schönes beatles album aber mir fast zu old schooly aber flowed schon gut
4/5
Fun album, with definite glimpses of the band the Beatles would become. Few too many covers to be a classic album IMO.
I actually had never listened to this record before. It was hard to rate it because I was comparing it to other Beatles albums rather than just as a stand alone album like I do all the other albums on this list. I think overall it was fun with some high energy and some catch pop songs. I enjoyed it but honestly probably won't revisit it as a whole album ever.
I always feel conflicted with the early Beatles. Are they good? Yes. Are they unique? Well... I don't totally know. These are all covers (or mostly covers) and while they're good, the music sounds very similar to most music of the time. I think what they do really well is swapping vocals between John and Paul. They also really do blues and rock n roll really well. They're clearly talented, and this is certainly good. It just doesn't hold a flame to Sgt. Peppers or Abbey Road or White album or Revolver or Rubber Soul. Which then makes me feel like this record is only on the list, because the other ones are so prolific. Which to me, doesn't warrant a spot on the list.
Iconic because of the cover photo and because it broke them in the US. I love it because of all the doo-wop and girl group covers. Not only highlights how much girl groups influenced them, but shows how amazing they were at combining girl group vocals (lots of refrains and dual lead vocals) with Buddy Holly-esque songwriting. Also was the album that gave us She Loves You, which to me is the quintessential early Beatles record.
Decent
a really good album with a good blend of originals and covers, showing the Fab Four & their influences as they were in the early years, but I don’t know if I’d call it an essential Beatles record. Even among their early work, I personally prefer Please Please Me & A Hard Day’s Night. favs: It Won’t Be Long, You Really Got a Hold On Me, Don’t Bother Me, Roll Over Beethoven least favs: Little Girl, Hold Me Tight
I do not know what it is, but when I am listening to The Beatles, I found out that my mood was instantly lifted
I was initially going to skip this one. I'm glad I didn't.
Very good album. Never listened to the Beatles much but enjoyed this album. Could see myself re-listening to this, or more Beatles.
This was the first Beatles album I liked, and this will probably be very unpopular but may be my favorite still? I prefer how cohesive it is compared to future albums that are a bit too all over the place.
Released same day as Kennedy was shot. 22nd Nov. 1963. Album cover is a classic. A photo by Robert Freeman. Mix of cover songs like Roll Over Beethoven - Chuck Berry and Please Mr Postman - The Marvelettes. Originals like All My Loving - McCartney and Little Child - Lennon. The song writing is getting more complex after the Please Please Me album. They're evolving.
Some fire on this. Favorite track is I Wanna Be Your Man.
Another great Beatles album, this one had quite a few of my favorites of their older stuff! But alas the Beatles will always be my go to!
Lots of bops. Earned several claps from J (in between trying to drink the bath water). Released the same day as the JFK assasination…coincidence?? (yes)
Not a huge fan of the early Beatles (love their later music), but can understand the impact this had in the early 60’s; what a time this must have been. Still gets 4 stars from me for some classic songs from the Fab Four.
This is my favorite of the early-career stuff. But a lot of that credit belongs to Motown. And there are some real clunkers here too. Four stars.
I love the ones I know. No problem with the ones I did’t know. I am not a Beatles FANatic. 4 stars for respect.
7/10 Favorite Tracks: *Til There Was You*, Please Mister Postman Least Favorite Tracks: Not a Second Time, Money (That's What I Want).
It’s the Beatles and for that reason alone, it’s a classic. I like the Beatles but The White Album was just a couple days ago and I got my fix for a while. This album showed up in the list too soon.
A very solid album overall which charts the Beatles transition from a primary reliance on covers to singer-songwriter output. You really get a sense of the sound and pace which powered Beatlemania on this album. It’s not as experimental nor creative as later outings, but is a nice snapshot of the era which heralds the oncoming rush of the British invasion of American pop. A solid 4 stars in that context.
Love the length of songs. Love the Beatles. Lots of covers that were unexpected.
Well...I'm not quite a fan for early Beatles albums, not because they're not good, but they're simply not as good as their later works. However, this is still a talented pop rock album and i can enjoy this if I'm.feeling good. Besides, this is the album with "All My Loving","Roll Over Beethoven" and "Not A Second Time" in it...and that dumb "Don't Bother Me", this song.is silly to a point that i like it. It's no masterpiece(well, maybe a little) but it's still good. Just...listen to the music. Pretty Damn Silly Love Songs. A overall 4-4.5/5
banger fucking album
1 ou 2 ultra-classiques, pas mal de remplissage avec des covers plus ou moins réussies. Le potentiel est là, hâte de voir ce que va donner ce petit groupe de jeunes anglais à l'avenir.
Overall cheerful and cute. Some lyrics aged very poorly.
Hold me tight is such a sick song. The beatles have so much better, this is merely a 4.
Where are all the guitar solos and distorted power chords??? Palm-muted low E string chugs???? Anyways, it's the Beatles!! I liked recognizing the famous riff from Johnny B. Good in Roll Over Beethoven
Songs are simple, straightforward and largely about love (the screaming “Money” the notablest exception). Though they sound pretty tame today, one hears the certain wildness that must have scared middle-class parents, and obviously it’s edgier than the skiffling “Please Please Me” and “Love Me Do,” which have their folkie/busky charms. Still, one wishes for more weirdness and rough edges here. Despite picturing the clean-shaven mop-tops in their suits (more tameness), the links to both the leather-clad Hamburg toughs and the drugged-out, meditating hippie artistes come quite readily to mind also. They seem adolescent-y, which one supposes they were, and thus hard to fully credit or take seriously. Yes, it was still new, this rock music, and a landmark of the British Invasion, sure, and the Beatles played with more edge, one supposes, the late catalog is an order of magnitude richer. One wants to compare to Gerry and the Pacemakers, say, or the Dave Clark 5 to figure out what was different about the Fab Four and why/how this record presaged the genius (for that’s what it was, if one considers pop music to dabble in the realm of music) to come. Great cover photo, well judged cover photos keep one from rating this a 3, which it probably deserves but which would also feel sacrilege and can't be done.
beatles are ok
4/5 Iconic album that was fundamental to modern music.
4.5, not my favorite Beatles album but still a great one.
Beatlesiksi tykkäsin tästä tosi paljon! Sopivasti variaatioita ahtaahkoissa raameissa (vairhaisrockbeatles).
Levy alkaa lähes yhtä kovalla tasolla kuin bändin paras, A Hard Day's Night (juuri niin). Keskivälin jälkeen alkaa jonkinlainen suvanto, mikä - ja tämä kertoo saavutuksesta - johtuu covereista, tai tarpeettomasta (tai tarpeellisesta) turvautumisesta niihin. Laitoin silti heti uudelleen kuunteluun, ja niin muidenkin ptäisi.
early Beatles is still Beatles. great album, fav track Money
With The Beatles isn’t my favorite Beatles album, but you can definitely hear them starting to come into their own. Their original songs are stronger here than on Please Please Me, and even the cover songs—though not what you'd call essential listening today—are still well done and full of energy. It’s a solid early effort that shows the band leveling up and hinting at what’s to come.
I’m sure this was a great record for its time. I had some Beatles anthology albums so I know plenty of their hits, and i used to prefer their older bubblegum poppy stuff.. but as I get older I find this early stuff a bit cheesy and appreciate their later songs. It’s still the Beatles, and still good, but this album falls to a 4/5 for me today
Aantal onverwacht goede tracks die ik niet kende, waaronder: All I've Got To Do Don't Bother Me Till There Was You Verder beetje overbodige covers ("Please Mister Postman", "Roll Over Beethoven") en de klassieker "All My Loving". "Devil In Her Heart" klinkt als een Libertines-nummer.
Full disclosure, I am a lifelong unabashed Beatles fan, and own a lot of their albums. I had heard most of, if not all of these songs before but not as an album. I liked most of the songs, even most of the covers, although I thought a couple of them were pretty weak. I have always liked their cover of Til there was You, and always really enjoy hearing it. According to the Wikipedia article, George Harrison sang a couple of the covers that I had always believed was John Lennon. If the article is correct, it is really difficult for me to tell them apart here, unlike their later albums. I generally prefer the Beatles from Rubber Soul post, but all in all still think this is pretty good. For me, it’s 3.5 stars, rounded up to a four.
Incredible album, i’ve got 2 different pressings of “meet the beatles” with very similar track list. all the songs on here are great 🐞I LOVE THE BEATLESSSS.
This is my favorite Beatles album on the list so far. "All I've Got To Do" sounds a lot like "Tell Her No" by The Zombies. I think that song came out after "With The Beatles" though. Favorite song: "Please Mister Postman"
Классика, что тут сказать? Но другие их альбомы нравились больше
The Beatles were a good cover band and I would be perfectly happy listening to their covers. (Exception, "Till There Was You" which was about a schmaltzy as you can get.) The covers are a taste of the type of thing we would have heard in the Cavern Club or during their residence in Hamburg when they were still a struggling working band. Their self-written songs were just a hint of the greatness that was to come. I don't put this on par with their later outings but it's still a very good album.
So many hit songs. Typical album has maybe one or two.
The sound is more dated than their later work which is timeless, most of the better songs on this record are covers, having said that it's a great listen, something easy to listen through again and again, such talented musicians, particularly Lennon's vocals on this record
Go in both my ears you weirdos, get out my right ear. Fair enough though.
Compared to all the other Beatles albums that we've had, this one seems to only have only a couple of popular songs but the rest also sounded pretty nice. If they sounds alright nowadays, imagine how cool they would've been back in the day and since the rest of the music from that time was quite boring, this must've been amazing.
OK. Can see why people like it.
This has been the hardest album for me to review and rate so far. I like early Beatles music. And I don’t like early Beatles music. The “boy band” era for them is fun, peppy, and, for me, sometimes tedious. A lot of the songs start to sound the same. So “With the Beatles” was a test. I’d never listened to it. Wound up going through it twice. Honestly, I enjoyed a majority of the album. Starts strong with the first four songs. “Little child” loses me, but the next six are good. “Devil in her heart” and “Not a second time” are okay. And then it ends really strong with “Money (That’s What I Want).” I’m pretty sure I would play this album again and could see it making it into my rotation. I’m going 4/5
so excited to get started
This is such an odd little album. A simple, heartfelt collection of some fun songs and some pretty songs. Lots of covers. It kinda makes me feel like I’m listening to 4 boys recording an album in their garden shed. My highlights were Till There Was You (McCartney’s voice actually shocked me there) and All My Loving. I’ve always enjoyed earlier Beatles than later. And this is no exception.
Fun album full of good compositions, some great covers, top vocals and good instrumentation. Lacks the depth, variety and greatness of other/later Beatles releases. All tracks are good though but doesn’t have the replay-ability of other Beatles albums such as Abbey Road, which is to be expected considering the type of album it is and at what stage of the Beatles career it was released. All tracks are decent-good and none are skips. Includes some classic early Beatles highlights - “It won’t be long”, “Please mister postman”, “Roll over Beethoven”, “You really got a hold on me” & “Money (that’s all I want)”. Overall, whilst this doesn’t showcase how brilliant the Beatles would become it is still a very fun album, essential early Beatles and a very enjoyable listen. 4/5.
Covers & early hits. An easy listen for fans. Nothing earth shattering, but as far as early 60s boy band pop goes, it's a winner.
I mean, c’mon. It’s really good! BUT… Not even B-tier Beatles if I’m being critical (fine, it’s lower B-tier.) Still, With The Beatles *was* one of the first Beatles records I really grew on to as a teenager. Remember loving the stretch from “Till There Was You” to “I Wanna Be Your Man” growing up, in particular, but there isn’t a bad output on the thing. Best original composition probably goes to “All My Loving,” but typing this out I’m already second guessing myself. These guys aren’t half bad!
Definitely not my favorite Beatles album, but also still really good. The mixing is a little tough and the number of covers isn’t great.
Fav song: All I've Gotta Do Pretty good! The vocal harmonies on this album are supreme. Not the best Beatles album, but a banging one none the less.
Lots of good classic songs. I like The Beatles but also like other artists of that time more.
Not my favourite album of theirs, but it's full over overlooked tracks in my opinion. The start of something rather extraordinary...
3.5
Ah yeah, a nice snapshot of when the Beatlemania kicked off, quite representative, and also an example of the annoying missing off-album singles from around the same time, which was often the case with many of their popular songs not ending up on an LP until later collected releases. Also interesting presentation of the time how basically everyone covered everyone if a song was a hit. I was never into beat in general (way before my time), but it's a decent piece of their early output.
I grew up listening to all forms of the Beatles, from the early, bubble gum pop songs, like the ones on this album, to the complicated and more deep tracks in their later work. I appreciate both eras of Beatles, pre and post Sgt. Pepper's. This album is fine. No single song stands out as drop dead amazing, but it does what it was intended, make a lot of money. The music is tight, vocal delivery from Paul, John, and George are solid. Well worth the 33 minutes to hear the whole thing. 4/5
8/10
Can't help but compare it to early Stones albums. I liked it, but this confirms that I am more of a Stones fan. Still a solid album though.
After more than 350 albums, I finally have a Beatles one! This one obviously isn't their best one but, like, it's still the Beatles. Probably one of my least favourite Beatles albums but still 4*. Fav tracks: All My Loving, It Won't Be Long, Hold Me Tight
Beatlemania for life, baby The only reason this doesn’t get five stars is because it was an executive mistake to have them record so many covers
I see why girls in the 60s were going absolutely nuts over this
The Lennon/McCartney songs are like pre-TikTok dopamine factories
If you had bet me in the 1963 that four years later this same group would produce Sgt. Pepper I would have definitely lost that bet. On a totally different planet for their sound and style at this point.
I grew up with the Beatles, but it wasn’t until I was older that I realized my dad didn’t really have anything in his collection before Rubber Soul. Of course, I knew there were Beatles songs that pre-dated that album but I had never listened to any of those albums start to finish. Even after I went back to Beatles “oldies” (which is kind of mind-blowing they did this all in a decade because their doo-wop Help! sound is completely different from their post-Rubber Soul psychedelic sound, and those albums released the same year..what?!). Despite my familiarity with the Beatles discography, I had honestly never heard of With the Beatles. I looked at the tracklist and even then, minus the covers, I wasn’t familiar with the songs. How was this possible? And, what does this say about the album if there aren’t any hits on it? Why is this the first Beatles album I’m hearing on this list? Did I miss something? Well, apparently I DID miss something because this album is incredible. Do the Beatles ever miss? I’m not suggesting this is a masterpiece, and all things considered, it’s still probably one of my least favorite Beatles albums, but it’s still so good. I was most impressed by “Til There Was You,” which I was utterly shocked to find that not only was this a cover, it originally appeared in the Broadway musical The Music Man. All in all, this is classic Beatles “oldies” with none of the hits, and it’s good. The harmonies, the melodies, the arrangements, it all works, and it’s easy to see how the Beatles were so successful. I’m still not sure how they managed to transform their sound so much over the course of a decade, but I’m glad for it. The originals on here are great, but not as noteworthy as some of the other stuff they’ve done (save for maybe McCartney’s “All My Loving”). This one is a solid 4.5 for me, but I’m bumping it to 4 since we can’t give half ratings mostly due to there being so many amazing Beatles albums, and I’m still a little surprised this one made the cut. The Wikipedia article did shed some light on it and convinced me it’s worth the entry on this list, but I’m hoping it didn’t get in over other Beatles albums.
Incredible performances on vocals and instruments. Incredibly catchy songs.
Kinda really fire. Twangy and hopelessly romantic with a bit of aura. Many bangers that just hit the spot.
Nautin
Early Beatles are great. It really helps to understand the influences and get a sense of where they came from. Fun to think of this as the same band that would soon create albums like Sgt. Pepper or Let It Be. Also, “All My Loving” is an all timer for me. That said, this is the era of Beatles that I listen to the least. They were groundbreaking and yet still sound of a time on this album. Still enjoyed thoroughly.
As always, I like the Beatles. Although this album was not their best, I think that it was nice and it held my preferences.
a lovely classic. til there was you is a gem
The classes that has some songs that I forgot how much I appreciate just go to classic rock rock ‘n’ roll
While nowhere near as adventurous as many of the Beatles' later albums, this album is still a pretty fun listen. I'd probably put Please Please Me over this, but yeah. 7 or 8
Can’t go wrong with the Beatles
With The Beatles This was the Beatles second album, released just six months after their debut, featuring a mix of original songs and covers. Although the Fab Four were still only in their early 20s at this point, their experience of playing hundreds of gigs in seedy clubs has already made them into an incredibly tight and professional band, buzzing with energy and ideas. Their Lennon & McCartney team is kicking into gear and George gets a track too! https://album.link/i/1441164362
I already said it, I'm more into their late albums than their first ones, for all the experimentation paths they took. But these early albums are all solid (really tight, they know their business) & fun pop-rock albums, classic for an ear from our era, but I can understand the thrill it might have been to hear them at the time.
Not their best but still great
Not the most iconic of Beatles records, but an excellent example of their early career.
Godt album
so so good just wouldn’t listen to it on the reg
I've never been a huge fan of the early Beatles. It is still a good album (especially for 1963), but there are only a couple of songs that I really care about here. I think this one is right on the edge between a 3 and a 4 and leaning towards a 3, but it just feels wrong to give the Beatles a 3. I guess it is close enough that it can be rounded up to a 4. Low 4.
Not heard many of the album tracks before. 14 catchy 3 minute pop songs - hard to dislike
I’ve been a Beatles stan since the day I brought Rubber Soul to show and tell in 2nd grade. This being the first Beatles album we’ve gotten has put me in a bit of a spot. On the one hand, I believe The Beatles were sent from God and are by a significant margin the best band ever. On the other, I can see how this album can come across as fairly rudimentary and irritating to some. Their raw talent does shine through but it’s only a glimpse of their potential, which was realized at lightspeed. A few things stand out: - John’s vocals and charisma - The Beatles ability to arrange a simple song with a small but unconventional change or section that elevates it above any normal pop song. - Till There Was You is a crazy cover for a 22 year old. A show tune they composed in a bossa nova style. - Some of the covers are bad, by their standards, and the Beatles playing 50’s rock is not good. At this age it’s already clear they’re music fanatics and phenoms. What I’ve never understood is how they did all this without any kind of formal musical training. I think they all must have had a freakish ear and poured over records trying to figure out changes and melodies. That’s neither here nor there. Giving a 4 here, even though I feel all Beatles records deserve a 5. I think I’m making a new Beatles scale. On the Beatles scale it’s a 2 or 3 but adding 1-2 because it’s the Beatles.
Kind of impossible to evaluate the Beatles because whatever standards I have for rock/pop music is based on their influence. It’d be like saying you prefer a Tesla to a model-T - even making the comparison makes you sound ignorant. That said, if evaluating just on personal taste, this is a solid but not amazing album. The catchiness is there - and that’s the element that carries them through all their eras, even the experimental ones. Kinda crazy that it was only like 4 years between this and the white album (my favorite). I guess you can’t get from here to there that quickly without having a really strong songwriting foundation. And that’s what this album establishes.
Not my favorite Beatles but still great
‘All I’ve Got To Do,’ ‘All My Loving,’ ‘Don’t Bother Me,’ ‘Till There Was You,’ ‘Please Mister Postman,’ ‘Hold Me Tight.’ Some great originals, some enduring covers. It’s a copycat league and they copied as emulators and admirers. Do I prefer Chuck’s maiden recording of ‘Roll Over Beethoven’? You bet. Is Smokey’s ‘You Really Got A Hold On Me’ the better one? Uh-huh. Is this still a milestone album and essential listening? I know it is.
This is great, but it's not amazing yet.
Don't know many of the songs but it's quite a nice album!
It’s the Beatles, but it isn’t a no skips record.
Some early Beatles, pre-Capitol Records era. Lots of covers here with a few originals. Hard to believe after all this time there was one song I never heard before (Hold me Tight). This album seems very standard now, but in 1963-1964 this music was all the rage.
Got this one on annual "George quits the band" day! This album cover is the one that gave me the most trouble in college when I was trying to learn who was who, because hair is my major person-identifier. I think I've got it now though (Paul, Ringo, John, George, right? :p) Unfortunately I fear my highlights are just "ones I've heard before (minus 'Roll Over Beethoven' and 'I Wanna Be Your Man')", which is all my brain can handle at this time. All the songs are relatively short and sweet though. Highlights: 'It Won't Be Long', 'All My Loving', 'Till There Was You', 'Hold Me Tight', 'You Really Got a Hold on Me' (adverbs!)
I prefer the later Beatles but this was an enjoyable album
Really enjoyed this, whether it was just the nostalgia element or not I can't quite say. But I much prefered it to the white album. All good songs performed to a high standard. Brilliant. But not perfect. 4
John
Solid, not my favorite, but plenty of classics.
I'm not a Beatles fan, but there's no denying that this is a good album, in my view at least. Very clean, too vanilla, but good, tight musicianship. To give it less than four stars would be an insult to the talent of the Fab Four, even though I can never love their music.
Some great stuff, but also kind of annoying, if I’m being honest. Still giving it 4 stars because I wuv the Beatles. Interesting how much more of the lead singing John did in the early days.
hot take: Beatles are great
Do I like this album? Absolutely. However, I struggle to rate this album as high as other Beatles albums because there are *6* covers on this album: Till There Was You - Sue Raney Please Mr. Postman - The Marvelettes Roll Over Beethoven - Chuck Berry You Really Got a Hold on Me - The Miracles Devil in Her Heart - The Donays Money (That's What I Want) - Barrett Strong That makes 43% of this album covers. That said, it is a bop. "It Won't be Long" and "All My Loving" are highlights for me.
As much as I love The Beatles, I can't give this a 5/5.
You can tell these guys are talented and the covers are a credit to the good taste of the Beatles moreso than any kind of stealing. They made the songs their own and the end product is good and Beatley. They really sound like a 60s boy band here. This won't blow anyone away today, but this sounds like the Beatles and it's a stepping stone to their catalog that is fun to listen to.
I do love the early Beatles. I’m not as much of a fan of some of the covers here. I prefer to hear their sound with their own songs.
Beat, 1963 -> 4
Pure musical joy. The sound that made the Beatles. Absolutely love this version of the Beatles.
Nice
I enjoy this era immensely. Trying to encapsulate the correct wordage to describe, but just feel-good rockabilly with a side of song writing genius. Packs a punch, and f*ck I'll say it, this is punk.
very nice
The early Beatles. Still trying to find their way. As always for bands of that time, many tracks by other musicians, now called covers, are on this album. Nice and easy listening.
jo men man gillar ju beatles.
not my favorite beatles album but still can't go wrong with this one, no skips and catchy songs fav tracks: It wont be long, all my loving, till there was you, devil in her heart, money (That's what I want)
You can't have *all* the Beatles albums in this list, can you? I love the (relatively less known) opener "It Won't Be Long", and of course "All My Loving" is a classic. The covers of early American rock'n'roll staple songs are pretty cool, but it's not why we remember The Beatles today. Apart from that, *With The Beatles* sounds like a transition to greater things. This LP, along with the charming yet relatively subdued *Beatles For Sale*, are the two Fab Four records I'm not considering for my own list. *Let It Be* is also an arguable choice I guess, but as the last studio album the band released, Its historical importance cannot be underestimated. Now here's the most important takeaway : every other Beatles album should be on a list such as this one, ideally. And the mere fact that the number of LPs I will keep out from mine is WAY lower than the numbers of keepers speaks volumes about the cultural behemoth that the Beatles still are today. 3.5/5 for the purposes of this list of essential albums, rounded up to 4 8.5/10 for more general purposes (5 + 4.5) Number of albums left to review: the 80-ish extra LPs listed on this app, included because different past editions of the book have mentioned albums that have since been dropped in subsequent editions. Number of albums I'll keep in my own list: half, approximately Number of albums I *might* keep: a small quarter, approximately Number of albums I won't keep: a large quarter (including this one)
Love the Beatles. This album isn't their best. Their innovation and energy is missing in it.
NIet de beste van the Beatles, maar wel een 3.7 waard. Ik had de neiging om op de 5 sterren te duwen want, tja, the Beatles, maar als ik eerlijk ben is dit geen 5.
It was ok. I liked some of the songs.
The most powerful haircuts known to man
Early Beatles, still better than most.
One of the most prolific hit song making bands of all time.
very pleasant, classic beatles. second album, i had only heard a few. love 'please mr postman' and 'you really got a hold on me', nothing else blew me away but it was a nice listen. 4 stars?
Don’t love the early stuff as much as the later stuff, but “Love Me Do” is one of my favorites.
This is a great example of early Beatles. Good album but not my cup of tea necessarily. Catchy tunes but kinda boring.
Although it was an album recorded together and mostly live, it’s not an in the evolved state that the form took later in the sixties and beyond. For the quality of the songs and moreso the energy of the performances, a clear 4
clasic
Not a huge fan of the Beatles normally, but enjoyed the covers a lot
I mean, yeah? I can see why they were so popular, I guess.
Hattip to rock and roll in roll over Beethoven ;)
Great songs, great arrangements of other peoples songs, and just great fun all round. Obviously there is better Beatles to come, but most anyone would be very happy to sit and listen to this record
Good classic Beatles.
Reminds me of childhood. A classic of the mop top era.
Not their best work but for the year it’s pre good. Paul’s cheesy songs are great
Beatles worst album, but still enjoyable. Some good originals, some good covers, and some dodgey ones. But they were a tight unit and no one sounded as good. Out of all the Beatles albums I think this is the weirdest to include in this list unless they meant Meet the Beatles, the American equivalent which was the first Capitol release over there with She Loves You Banging Album cover too
Why is ringo all by himself :(((
Recording/production annoying with separate channels left and right but good album
4.5/5. Feels odd to give a Beatles record anything less than 5 stars. They still had a long way to go from their days of going yeah yeah yeah before they changed music forever. Is this what One Direction could’ve been had they stayed together?
It’s ok and revolutionary in its time. But in ‘24, I was patiently waiting for it to be done.
Very tempted to throw out a fiver I suppose. But it’s not exactly Abbey Road, is it? And there are a fair few covers. Simpsons: Yes
Standard Beatles music, was quite enjoyable tbf whilst cooking up some dinner.
You can hear the bubbles and see the feathers of their creative genius, but they're yet to grow into their most famous sound. Nonetheless, solid.
I love the Beatles. Everything the did, I enjoy. I especially like the covers on this album.
classic
Its the Beatles. Lots of nostalgia for me here. Songs are pretty tight, though a bit simple for these times... still, at the time cutting edge
All very sweet in a Fanny’s stepping out with Maurice, Audrey and Herb met at Sunday School, let’s all go to the dance type of way. I can’t say I would have gone all Beatle Mania on the back of this, but I guess you had to be there. I can see it though, and quite like it.
Classic early beatles, simple harmonies and beats
Great album. Not the best beetles album, but still great!
I feel as though this album shows all of its cards too early, as the beginning tracks are absolute classic after absolute classic. However, Don't Bother Me and beyond is the wild west. You'll definitely have some fantastic tracks peppered in there, but you have to get through a lot of boring, basic rock n roll numbers to get there. Even on this short album they feel as though they pad out the run time, and are unnecessary. Luckily, those peppered in good tracks are fantastic, from Till There Was You to Not A Second Time's amazingly simple piano solo, those tracks and more are highlights of the early Beatles era, and elevate the album. However, I could still see the argument that this is the weakest of the entire Beatles discography, and while I'd disagree, I'd at least hear you out.
This album is overshadowed by what the Beatles did only a couple years later. The Beatles here are showing themselves as series musicians. Even the cover states that. Beatlemania was birthed from this record. Meteoric in all aspects. This has a Pandora effect. .
I'd give this album 3.5 stars. I like classic Beatles, but I prefer some other bands like The Zombies if I want to listen to a similar sound. It is enjoyable, but, at this point, the real revolutionary stuff is the later stuff, of course.
Całkiem niezłe. Takie żywe i rokendrolowe może. O miłości i w ogóle. 4/5
Although a lesser Beatles album, it’s still the Beatles, which at worst is really good.
Favorite Track: All My Loving
Now I love The Beatles. This has some stone cold classics It Won't Be Long, All I Gotta Do, All My Loving, Til There Was You. For me the only thing that stops this from a full 5* is there are too many covers. The Beatles are good enough to have every song on every record theirs. Saying that it is obviously one of the first so they were finding their feet. Also my first introduction on album to the band so will always be special. Knowing what else is in the cannon means that it sits at four Surprisingly more raw than I remember and you can sense excitement, naievity, and togetherness in every note. High 4*
I didn't know most songs going in but all were enjoyable
Very nice album. Couple genuinely beautiful songs on here and some decent bops as well. Pleasantly surprised by these guys, they need to blow up soon. 4/5 since I can’t put 3.5
Yep, big fan. Not an albums I've listened to a lot but very good
★★★★½
its really cool to see what they had before they went and started to experiment with their sound and writing years down the line. I'm probably way more familiar with this era of Beatles than any other (thanks Mom), its a little samey here and there, but man if I didnt enjoy almost all of it.
Just a stellar collection of pop songs. Plus it includes “Till there was you” which is one of my favourite Beatles songs. It’s not as good as what would come later… but damn those loveable lads from Liverpool could write a catchy tune
Like the beatles much more than rolling stones 7.5/10
Very nice album. Went by very quick, so listened twice. Didn't notice any major hits.
You can never go wrong with The Beatles
Covers. Early stuff, not their greatest, but all the elements in there that would make them the greatest.
these guys climb the ladder!
Had never heard any songs from that Beatles album. Really good! 4/5 ⭐️
Early Beatles are still pretty solid. Feels a little cutesy today, but the appeal is still there for me.
I love the beatles. Not my favorite album of theirs, but 4 stars nonetheless
Classic!
Onion the classic early Beatles albums encompassing their early sound. Full of great originals and covers. All around good
The Beatles are always amazing, while I prefer the mid-later stuff from them there’s no denying this is classic. I think Please Please me does top this one though
Un classique. Difficile à écouter en travaillant
The Beatles are low-key influential… …and they were influenced (lots of covers here of course) but those first three songs especially are sooooo good
u can really tell the boys were coked up for this one
Great little album. Love the guitar lick in "It Won't Be Long". Nice bouncy feeling in "All My Loving" with an almost Fogerty-esque solo. Roll Over Beethoven is a decent cover but George's lead was rough.
The epitome of classic. What a great album.
Classic would like to hear the original version
I really started paying attention in the 80s when they had a song featured in Ferris Bueller’s Day Off. I then bought the two volume greatest hits cassettes. I have rarely listened to an entire album. This is the second album I have listened to and I did not realize how many covers they have done. Despite that, I really enjoyed this early Beatles album.
Super crisp, super tight pop baubles, here, played with conviction and some teeth, like a well-honed and gritty bar band (which one reckons they more or less were, despite the cleaned-up packaging since Hamburg). One senses just a little bit of menace beneath the mop-toppy sound (even on cuts like "Please Mr. Postman"). But this does feel more than shouting distance from Sgt. Peppers, or even Revolver. Paul goes full Perry Como on his (characteristically) soft ballad, "Till There Was You," suggesting how they might have turned into Gerry and the Pacemakers, but thankfully didn't.
this cover is what u see before u die listen to all beatles albums in mono btw its 100x better i love the beebles
IT'S STIIIIIINNNNGGG
I've owned the US version of this (Meet The Beatles) for most of my life and it omits all the covers, which I now realize is a crime. Never even knew they covered Smokey and The Miracles! Early Beatles are far from my favorite Beatles, but this is still pretty outstanding considering the context of the time. Here are four Brits who LOVE American rock 'n' roll, but aren't content in simply going through the motions of playing it. The originals are all built upon it, but the pop melodies (and harmonies) are their own. Even the covers go beyond simply playing someone else's songs. Their own spin is in everything from the vocal treatment to the arrangements.
Not my favorite period of the Beatles, BUT their sound totally changed the landscape of rock music and this album is a testimonial to that.
Un 4 porque son los Beatles, pero estas canciones parecen escritas por niños de 5 años...
Damn good. These were kids. But they can't all be Abbey Road.
It Won't Be Long All My Loving You Really Got a Hold on Me
Good album by the Beatles.
Pretty fun listen. Quite a few catchy songs but not the kind of music I'd listen to often
First thoughts are: Some of these songs are 50s prom bangers I imagine The Beatles where the One Direction of their day I had no idea “Rollover Beethoven” was a real song - all this time I thought it was a song created specially just for the soundtrack to the Beethoven film about the dog!
Great beatles record, good instrumentals and vocals, but the lyrics of all the songs are about love and such, so the premise of each song kind of blends in to eachother.
I know this is a hot take but their second album has been the most enjoyable to listen to so far. Just a bunch of good songs without any failed experiments.
Great Early Beatles album. Very early Rock and Roll
not my favorite Beatles album but still a great one.
very good album, typical of the era. Good sound typical of the Beatles.
Always preferred their later work, but this album is still fun
Simple and effective.
Lot of cover songs on here. It’s good music - just not a huge fan still. Lots of respect but it’s not grabbing me.
There has never been a band that matured as much as the Beatles in there sound and style. Lot’s of covers in this one, but the talent is there. It is fun to think that they were about to take over the world.
With the Beatles marks a significant step in the band’s evolution, showcasing a more refined and polished sound compared to their debut. The raw energy of their early performances is still present, but it's now tempered with greater musical sophistication. Their harmonies are tighter, and the songwriting, particularly from Lennon and McCartney, displays a growing maturity. Songs like All My Loving and It Won't Be Long highlight their ability to craft catchy, yet complex, pop tunes. Overall, With the Beatles represents the band coming into their own, balancing the youthful exuberance of their early work with a more sophisticated and polished sound. However, some might miss the rawness that characterised their earlier performances. NUMBER OF BANGERS - 6 STAND OUT TRACK - All My Loving
Top 25 album....
Great album.
very nice, less whacky than some beatles stuff but very peaceful
4.3 it only get better from here on out. Don't bother me was a standout.
Lovely album, this is the pleasure of pop music.
🥱
Even in this early cover-laden work, the Beatles are already showing the wide musical interests and influences that made them the greatest band of all time.
**"With The Beatles" by The Beatles: In-Depth Review** **Introduction** Released on November 22, 1963, "With The Beatles" was the second studio album by the Beatles. It followed the massive success of their debut, "Please Please Me," and was eagerly anticipated by fans and critics alike. This album represents a crucial moment in the Beatles' career, showcasing their growth as musicians, songwriters, and recording artists. In this review, we will explore the album's lyrics, music, production, themes, and influence, while also weighing its strengths and weaknesses. --- ### **Lyrics** The lyrics on "With The Beatles" reflect the band's transition from simple love songs to more nuanced storytelling, though the themes remain largely focused on relationships and emotions. The album features a mix of original compositions by Lennon-McCartney and covers of songs by other artists, demonstrating both the band's evolving songwriting skills and their influences. 1. **Original Songs**: The original tracks showcase the burgeoning partnership between John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Songs like "All My Loving" and "It Won't Be Long" exhibit a balance of youthful exuberance and emotional depth. "All My Loving," in particular, is a standout with its sweet, earnest lyrics expressing longing and devotion. McCartney’s wordplay in lines like “I'll pretend that I'm kissing the lips I am missing” reflects an early mastery of catchy, memorable phrases. Lennon’s contributions, such as "Not a Second Time" and "All I've Got to Do," delve into more introspective and mature themes. In "Not a Second Time," Lennon addresses feelings of rejection and disappointment, a shift from the straightforward romanticism of earlier songs. The lyrics of "All I've Got to Do" explore vulnerability and the complexities of emotional communication, hinting at the deeper and more personal songwriting that would characterize Lennon’s later work. 2. **Covers**: The album includes several covers, which, while not penned by the Beatles, were chosen with care to reflect the band’s taste and influences. Songs like "Please Mister Postman" and "Roll Over Beethoven" exhibit the band’s ability to reinterpret existing material with their own flair. Though the lyrics of these covers are not their own, the Beatles' delivery imbues them with a fresh energy, making them integral to the album's overall appeal. ### **Music** Musically, "With The Beatles" displays the band’s development as performers and their increasing confidence in the studio. The album is a blend of rock and roll, rhythm and blues, and pop, underscoring the Beatles' diverse influences and their ability to innovate within these genres. 1. **Instrumentation**: The band’s instrumental work on this album is more polished and varied compared to their debut. George Harrison's guitar work, in particular, shines on tracks like "All My Loving," where his rapid-fire triplet chords drive the song forward. His solos on "Till There Was You" and "I Wanna Be Your Man" are melodically rich, showcasing his growth as a guitarist. Paul McCartney’s bass playing also becomes more prominent and melodic, adding depth to songs like "All I've Got to Do" and "Little Child." Ringo Starr’s drumming, while still straightforward, provides a solid foundation that complements the energetic performances of the other band members. His distinctive fills and steady rhythms are particularly noticeable on tracks like "It Won’t Be Long" and "All My Loving." 2. **Vocal Harmonies**: One of the standout features of "With The Beatles" is the vocal harmonies. The harmonization between Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison is more sophisticated than on their debut album, with songs like "It Won't Be Long" and "Please Mister Postman" showcasing their tight, interlocking vocal lines. These harmonies would become a hallmark of the Beatles' sound, influencing countless bands in the decades to follow. 3. **Song Structures**: The album largely adheres to the verse-chorus structure typical of pop music at the time, but the Beatles introduce subtle variations that hint at their future experimentation. For example, "All My Loving" begins with a verse rather than a traditional intro, creating a sense of immediacy. "Not a Second Time" features a bridge that modulates to an unexpected key, a technique that would become more prevalent in their later work. ### **Production** The production of "With The Beatles," overseen by George Martin, is a significant step forward from "Please Please Me." Recorded at Abbey Road Studios, the album benefits from improved studio techniques and a better understanding of how to capture the band’s sound on tape. 1. **Sound Quality**: The sound quality on "With The Beatles" is notably crisper and more balanced than on their debut. The album was recorded on two-track tape, which allowed for greater separation between instruments and vocals. This separation is evident in the clarity of the vocals and the definition of each instrument, particularly on tracks like "All My Loving" and "Don't Bother Me." 2. **Use of Reverb and Echo**: Martin’s use of reverb and echo is more restrained but effective, enhancing the mood of certain songs without overpowering them. On tracks like "Till There Was You," the subtle reverb gives the song a warmth and intimacy, while on "Not a Second Time," the echo on Lennon’s vocals adds to the song's emotional weight. 3. **Arrangement Choices**: The arrangements on the album are carefully considered, with Martin and the band working together to create a sound that is both polished and energetic. The use of handclaps, tambourines, and other percussive elements adds texture to the songs, making them feel dynamic and lively. The inclusion of a solo vocal line, like McCartney’s lead on "Till There Was You," contrasts with the full band’s performance, showcasing the group’s versatility. ### **Themes** Thematically, "With The Beatles" is largely concerned with love and relationships, a continuation from their debut album, but with more nuanced and varied expressions. 1. **Love and Longing**: Many of the album’s songs deal with themes of love, longing, and heartbreak, reflecting the typical concerns of youth but with a growing complexity. "All My Loving" expresses a sincere and hopeful love, while "All I've Got to Do" touches on the anxieties and insecurities that come with emotional intimacy. 2. **Heartache and Rejection**: Songs like "Not a Second Time" and "Don't Bother Me" introduce themes of heartache and rejection, with lyrics that explore the pain of unrequited love or the end of a relationship. These songs mark a departure from the more straightforward, optimistic love songs of their earlier work, indicating a maturation in the band’s lyrical content. 3. **Youthful Rebellion and Joy**: The album also captures the youthful energy and sense of fun that were integral to the Beatles' early appeal. "I Wanna Be Your Man" and "Money (That's What I Want)" are exuberant and rebellious, with a raw energy that resonates with the spirit of the early 1960s. ### **Influence** "With The Beatles" had a profound influence on both the Beatles' career and the broader music landscape. It cemented their status as a global phenomenon and helped to shape the sound of the British Invasion that would dominate the mid-1960s. 1. **Impact on Popular Music**: The album's combination of catchy melodies, tight harmonies, and energetic performances set a new standard for pop and rock music. The Beatles' ability to blend different musical styles, from rock and roll to Motown to show tunes, demonstrated the versatility of pop music and expanded its possibilities. This eclectic approach influenced countless artists and helped to broaden the scope of what pop music could be. 2. **Cultural Influence**: "With The Beatles" also had a significant cultural impact. The album’s release in the UK and subsequent success in the US laid the groundwork for the Beatles’ massive influence on popular culture. Their image—captured in the iconic album cover—became synonymous with the youthful, rebellious spirit of the 1960s. The album’s success contributed to the Beatles' status as cultural icons and paved the way for the British Invasion of the American music scene. 3. **Technical Influence**: From a technical standpoint, "With The Beatles" influenced the way albums were produced and recorded. George Martin’s production techniques, including the use of double-tracking and careful attention to arrangement, set new standards in studio recording. These techniques would be further refined on subsequent Beatles albums and would influence the production methods of countless other artists. ### **Pros and Cons** **Pros**: 1. **Strong Songwriting**: The album features some of the Beatles’ best early songwriting, with catchy melodies, clever lyrics, and a mix of emotional depth and pop sensibility. 2. **Vocal Harmonies**: The tight vocal harmonies are a highlight, demonstrating the group’s unique chemistry and adding a rich, textured sound to the album. 3. **Musical Versatility**: The Beatles’ ability to seamlessly blend different musical styles makes the album varied and engaging. Their covers of rock and roll and Motown songs, alongside original compositions, showcase their wide range of influences. 4. **Production Quality**: George Martin’s production is a significant step up from their debut album, with clearer sound quality and more sophisticated studio techniques. 5. **Cultural Impact**: The album’s influence on popular music and culture is undeniable, helping to establish the Beatles as one of the most important bands of the 20th century. **Cons**: 1. **Lack of Cohesion**: The inclusion of cover songs alongside original compositions, while showcasing the band’s influences, can make the album feel slightly less cohesive compared to later Beatles albums that consist entirely of original material. 2. **Lyric Simplicity**: While there are hints of the deeper, more complex songwriting that would come to define the Beatles’ later work, the lyrics on "With The Beatles" are still largely focused on straightforward themes of love and relationships, lacking the thematic variety of their subsequent albums. 3. **Production Limitations**: Despite the improved production, the album was still recorded using relatively basic technology by today’s standards. The use of two-track tape limited the complexity of the arrangements and the separation of sound, which would be dramatically improved on later albums with the advent of multitrack recording. 4. **Repetition of Themes**: The album’s focus on love and relationships, while well-executed, can feel repetitive at times. The lyrical themes are not as varied or innovative as those on later albums, which may limit its appeal to listeners looking for more diverse subject matter. ### **Conclusion** "With The Beatles" is a pivotal album in the Beatles’ discography, marking a significant step in their evolution as artists. The album’s strengths lie in its strong songwriting, tight vocal harmonies, and the band’s ability to blend different musical styles into a cohesive whole. George Martin’s production adds polish and clarity to the recordings, making it a more refined offering than their debut. However, the album is not without its limitations. The inclusion of cover songs, while well-performed, detracts slightly from the album’s overall cohesion. The lyrics, though well-crafted, are still somewhat simple and repetitive, focusing primarily on themes of love and relationships. Despite these minor shortcomings, "With The Beatles" remains a landmark album that helped to solidify the Beatles’ status as one of the most influential bands in history. Its impact on popular music and culture is profound, and it serves as an important bridge between the Beatles’ early work and the more experimental, groundbreaking albums that would follow. For fans of the Beatles and students of music history alike, "With The Beatles" is an essential listen that captures the energy, creativity, and potential of a band on the cusp of greatness.
Classic. Not 100% polished yet, but still The Beatles! I always loved their version of "You Really Got a Hold on Me." And of course "All My Loving" is a must.
A really fun album but not the Beatles at their peak.
Beatles. 4
my first beatles record! containing 8 original songs and 6 covers, “with the beatles” is a brilliant display of the talent of the early beatles, showcasing the beautiful vocals of paul, george and john. notably, the vocal harmonies on this album were very prominent, helping to define their sound as a band. i particularly enjoyed “till there was you” and “please mister postman” - both covers which were done brilliantly by the band. when considering this album, i was also aware of how young the band actually were - george harrison was only 20. to produce a record of such quality at that age is deserving of 4/5 stars.
This album is the introduction to a massive change that came to the music industry. However, this one absolutely reeks of debut. Sloppy covers that don’t outdo the originals, slapdash arrangement, short run times. This records best moments are when they do their own work and experiment a little. The experimentation isn’t as drastic as their later records, but you can still hear it on here and it’s what immediately set them apart from their contemporaries. I love this album, but understand it has flaws. Great stuff. 4/5
Always impressed with their work
Typically great and short Beatles album. Just a shade off the top.
I don't typically listen to the early Beatles - I prefer "Rubber Soul" onwards - so it has been a while since I put on "With the Beatles." Going back to it, I was actually surprised by how fresh it sounded - particularly the self-penned songs: Lennon and McCartney were clearly growing in confidence and finding their own voice. While it was definitely patchy - some of the covers sounded pretty dated, and not all of their own songs hit the mark - I had a renewed sense of why and how the Beatles made such a huge impact all of a sudden.
4.2 - So I like this, but I feel like they were so heavily produced at this point. Super safe and PG
Very straightforward bubblegum pop music with a couple of great songs, some great covers, and the rest only decent. Not the best of the Beatles, but better than most of the shit out there. 4.4 stars
Still miles ahead of most bands (especially at the time), but not one of their stronger albums when viewed objectively. The hits really hit, and the rest is still great, but it is one of the lower Beatles albums in my book.
Un sonido un poco repetitivo pero buenas canciones. 4
Yep. Beatles. Love The Beatles. :). I Dunno I mean it was unremarkable as a Beatles album so there but I was vibing. Very beach boys-y at times tbh
Was amazed by how many of these I didn't know.
It's a great album. So many catchy sounds. Early Beatles.
Fun
Delightful pop tunes, these guys know how to make a song sound catchy. Ringo is superb as always, as well as Paul but having every instrument jammed on one side makes things get lost easily. Especially when that harmonica came in. Not The Beatles best work, iconic album art and a few classics but mostly just the same stuff. Still, no Beatles album is anything less than at least a 4
Great old favorites. Mix is a little funny on some songs this was the Remastered version on Spotify.
i didnt like the stereo. the classic rock was pretty good, however. fav: till there was you
I do like
Writing about the Beatles is like Dancing about Astronomy... wat? Dig these lads. There's more historic value than anything else to "With the Beatles." Still magical, the early Beatles changed popular music like nothing before or since. The recording I heard today on Apple Music has obviously been cleaned up for the digital age and is a little out of context, but after a few minutes the ears become accustomed to the sound. In fact, the cleaned up digital versions gave a freshness to the sound that you don't get when playing an old scratchy vinyl. On the other hand, these songs are somewhat famous for their exquisite production and engineering, which were designed for the technology of the time. Meaning that vinyl was the way god (George Martin) intended. There are a lot of technical avenues I want to go down, like how there's spanish rhythms all over the place, how the vocal harmonies seem to always resolve perfectly, how Ringo brings much-needed energy to tunes like Roll Over Beethoven (and every other song on here for that matter, many of which would be real yawners without him, more on that next time I get a Beatles record), but it doesn't matter in the end. Why does everyone love the Beatles WITHOUT EXCEPTION? Just listen to it.
when I was a young fellow, I remember fondly listening to a tape cassette called "Beatles Ballads". I was always going to add a star purely for Till there was you, great song with nice memories attached. This feels like it's essential listening as the "before" photo for the band, and as a good example of the sound of bands around this era. I love what they did later on, but lots here felt ...unessential? It was good, but not great. :)
Classic. good vibes. Fun pour travailler
8/10
Solid Beatles album from before their more experimental projects. 4/5
i mean it's full of catchy songs what's not to love imo
An important album, even if it has more than its share of Motown covers.
Not as rich as some of their later albums, but still a great listen. Does a good job of capturing the manic, upbeat energy I associate with early Beatlemania.
Listned in the 2009 remastered version.. sounds so good
I enjoyed it but was surprised by the number of covers on the album. I don’t think it’s the best Beatles album but it was interesting to see this stop on their journey.
OK. It's not their best album. Which is kind of like saying "this isn't the best Ferrari". My firt tip would be to try and liten to it in mono. The 'stereo' mix is horrible. Also the covers are ... well, covers. This is a snapshot of the Beatles as things started to go a bit mental. Coming off the back of the first album, and the mania that followed. This is their difficult second. The one that usually kills bands. It was released 8 months after the first. This is what you did in the 60s. People apparently forgot you existed if you didn't release at least two LPs a year. They recorded it a series of spare 5 minute sessions in between tearing around the country trying no to be mauled by rabid fans. It's not far off from being a live recording. So it's patchy, it's raw. But the songs that they found time to write themselves are like little, gleaming nuggets hinting at what is to come. I actually really like George's first ditty 'Don't bother me'. There is a little video on Apple music that plays after the album. There is a quote in there something like "it's the nearest we've got to knowing what we sounded like before becoming the clever Beatles".
8/10. The Beatles are great!!! :)