The White Album

Well, of course. Unlike other albums in the 1001 Albums project that I’ve commented on thus far, this album is one that I’ve owned and listened to hundreds of times over many decades. So these comments will be of a different nature. They will not reflect an analytical and synthetic appraisal of a new experience. Instead, they will bring (nearly) a lifetime of experience to bear on the declamation of a capstone assessment. I will not, however, charge tuition. Listened to in context from a distance of 53 years, it is plain to see that this album was artistically definitive at the time. Lennon and McCartney turned the musical world in a direction we are still following. It elevated mainstream rock from “culture-caused” to “culture-causing”. The tracks on this album are discrete, in that they each represent distinct musical compositions. This distinguishes it from the previous Sgt. Pepper and Revolver, each of which had unifying elements of composition and style. Despite this, it is revealing that no worldwide distribution singles were ever released from this album. More on this below. What unifies The White Album is not composition and style, but its determination to assert freedom from recording a “product” and forcing the production team to attend to the needs of the music itself. On every track, the musicians are now in charge. The White Album has been described (justifiably) as the first postmodern rock album. While this is true, many of these observers don’t seem to understand what postmodernism is. Without going into a long discussion on the philosophy of history, a brief description will enhance any listener’s appreciation of this particular album. Postmodernism is the philosophical/cultural development of the twentieth century that is characterized by the transcendence of the ‘settled’ verities of the Enlightenment (that is, it goes beyond modernity). Hence, it is “post-“ modern. A highly respected progressive Methodist pastor once asked me how was it possible that something could be “post-“ modern (He mistakenly equated “modern” with “up-to-date”). I explained it like I did in the previous paragraph and he nodded in a sincere attempt to overcome the disconnect I had just created in his entire worldview. Shortly thereafter he began losing his mind, although I’m not sure the two events are related. Anyway, The White Album is postmodern. Listening to it today with the digital tools we have at our disposal (Wikipedia, Genius, etc.), ‘boomers like me learn some things about the music we never knew before. We can correct some erroneous assumptions. For example, I never knew Ringo Starr did not play drums on “Back in the U.S.S.R.” Running out of time here, so I’ll continue this in another venue as time allows.

I might get some hate for this, but I'm not a huge fan of this album. Let me explain. Obviously, the Beatles are great - and there are enough great songs on this album (some that got plenty of radio play and other lesser-knowns) to warrant a 5-star rating. But - there are a lot of duds on this album too. It sounds like the Beatles were just like, "let's record everything and throw it on there because we're the fucking Beatles and people will go ape-shit no matter what we do." Which, to be fair, is true - but it seems like there was a little lack of quality control. Part of this is likely contextual. Were they really "the Beatles" on this album - or just a bunch of guys recording their own shit and trying to get it included in the final product? There's Paul's songs, and John's songs, and George's songs - shit, even Ringo's songs - but only a handful of "Beatles" songs. Plus - what's with all the animal references? Piggies, and birds, and monkeys, and racoons. I feel like - more than any of their other albums - this one is full of songs where the story behind the song is probably more interesting than the actual song in a lot of cases. There's something to be said for that I suppose. It's a must-hear if you're interested in Beatles history, but if you just came for the music - it's a bit of a roller coaster.

Two bangers amongst a flock of bollocks

Like I even have to rate this.

I mean, it's the White Album.

youtube.com/watch?v=BD5TA0FVNf0

What a strange, lovely, and perfect album

This is an amazing album and it was made at a time the band was incredibly dysfunctional. There are a number of gems and imo this album contains John's best songwriting.  While John’s songs are the highlight, Paul also has a couple of good songs. To be sure, he also has a lot of hot dog songs. Paul is still Paul.  Side 1 The album kicks off with a bang w Paul’s Back in the USSR.  I recall pointing out previously (I think in comparing John's and Paul's parts of A Day in The Life) that John's writing, being so much more creative,  attracts / allows his bandmates to be creative.  Dear Prudence is another example of this as Ringo lays down some killer drumming. (Same comment on Ringo's drumming applies to I’m so Tired)  It's unfortunate that Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da  made it on this album. Paul sure does write some weenie stuff. I would have preferred they left this one off and made Revolution 9 three minutes longer lol  While my Guitar . . is my favourite Harrisong. Clapton's guitar playing is top shelf. Happiness is a Warm Gun is the best song on the album. It's a beast and a strong finish to Side 1.   Side 2 Side 2 starts with another of Paul's weenie songs but wakes up with I'm So Tired.  The song makes me feel sleep deprived and I can hear the colour grey when I listen to this track. Black Bird is a powerful anti-black racism song by Paul. This message was as appropriate as ever in 1968 but the message was so subtle I never got that it was anti-racism until someone told me years later. Was it just me? Part of me thinks that Paul was camouflaging  the message since the listeners who might not approve of the anti-racism message were probably the same folks who would buy songs like Uncle Albert after the inevitable split with John.  Bob Dylan, known for having cryptic lyrics,  was far less subtle with his anti-black racism message in the opening line of Blowing in the Wind. Paul was always more of an Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da type of guy.  George's Piggies is less subtle and his anti-establishment message is loud and clear.  OK some might label Rocky Raccoon fluff but I really like that song. Ringo's singing on his composition Don’t Pass Me By really is very good and entertaining. Our Canadian brother Jack Fallon lays down some excellent fiddle on this tune.  Why Don't we do it in the Road? OK, mom always said "if you don't have anything nice to say, then don't say anything at all". For one song I will bite my lip and take this advice.  I Will is a hot dog song but Paul’s voice on this ballad  is at it’s best. Julia is John's  beautiful ballad about how he misses his mom. I understand Paul made the decision on ordering the songs and purposely put John’s ballad Julia after I Will since the different tempo and relative singing makes John's voice sound comparatively bad. What a weiner.  Side 3 Yer Blues is one of the best rock and roll songs ever recorded. This song might, on its own, justify a 5 for this double LP.  If you have a chance, check out the live version of this song performed by The Dirty Mac. Great song by a great band but it’s the only song the band ever recorded.  Our loss. On Sexy Sadie Lennon displays his venom to the Maharishi in the way only John could. I read that the Maharishi was trying to get some of the American women between the sheets. I know it was the sexual revolution and all but one of the things about being in the enlightenment business is you can't bang the hot Americans who visit you. I read that when the  Maharishi asked why they were leaving, Lennon responded "Your the one who is suppose to be so fucking cosmic, why don't you tell us why we are leaving." John's song hits the point so well but, unfortunately, he was still in trouble for his “We’re more popular than Jesus” comment so decided not to stir the pot and changed the word "Maharishi" to "Sexy Sadie". Too bad for everyone named Sadie since they now have a vicious song written about them.  Helter Skelter is a good rocker by  Paul. The false endings are fun and the song eventually ends with the classic line "I got blisters on my fingers" I recall years ago reading that John screamed those ending words but later saw an interview where Ringo says the words were his. This makes more sense. You get calluses rather than blisters from playing guitar too much .   Side 4 Revolution is an excellent song. I like this acoustic version more than the hard rock version released as a single. Revolution 9 is still bizarre but much less bizarre today than it must have been in 1968. I recall Revolution 9 and Helter Skelter were Charles Manson's favourite songs. I wonder if Paul was more pissed that his song was associated with a mass murderer or that somebody liked his song and Revolution 9 the same amount. (He's such a TubeSteak.) The best thing I can say about Rev 9 is that it makes the following song such a welcome change. Good Night  is the lullaby I have sung to my children forever. When I play this LP, the needle always comes off the album around 8 minutes before Good Night starts. (DUH - I wonder why?) I completely forgot what album this song was on and haven't heard anyone other than me sing it for decades. It was so nice to hear Richard Starkey's  lovely version.

This album is very long! And 90% of it is my favorite music of all time. The other 10% inspired some of the most horrific murders of all time. You win some you lose some.

Every Beetle album past Rubber Soul gets 5 stars, because, duh. They pretty much influenced all popular music for the next 30 years. The White Album is special because it showcases the Beatles both collectively and individually. Not a bad track on this double LP, even Revolution #9 is good in it's own way.

There aren’t words.

Here's my hot take on The Beatles. Everything I hear about them centers around how excellent/original they were, or how overrated they are, or the dynamics between the band members, or hidden messages in their songs. No one talks about just how freaking weird their music is. I can't think of too many bands that have lyrics as strange as The Beatles. I was surprised to see that The White Album was 31 tracks long, especially since there weren't really any "filler" tracks. So from a value perspective, this record was an A+. The album was eclectic, as only a 31 song album could be, and I liked most of it. Back in the USSR is probably my favorite Beatles song (what can I say, I like jams) so that was a nice way to start off the record. Paul and John have near perfect rock music vocals, to my ear, which adds to the quality of the record. Overall, I think this lived up to the hype. My personal enjoyment: 3.5/5 Did it belong on this list: 5/5

Mediocre album, it isn‘t terrible; has like 3 good songs but it is too long for my taste. (beatles are overrated)

Scattered gems among a pile of gold.

Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9... Number 9...

Time for my hottest take yet. I've listened to this entire album like 4 times now and every time it's the same thing: I start really enjoying it but by the time the second disc starts I'm so insanely over it. The best songs (Back in the USSR, Glass Onion, While My Guitar Gently Weeps, Blackbird) are all around the beginning of the first disc and the rest just feels like bland filler. Come on, I know that nobody reading this has "Cry Baby Cry" in their "Favorites" playlist on Spotify. Revolution 9 is unironically one of my favorite disc 2 songs because at least it makes me feel something (existential dread), but still something. I like the Beatles but I genuinely believe that this is one of their worst records.

Amazing

Some good tracks but a lot of nonsense as well. Still beyond me why so many people are obsessed with the Beatles.

An extraordinary odyssey that ends with a warm embrace.

Some of the best music ever made!

This was excellent to re-visit, as I was an avid fan of the Beatles in middle through high school. Having heard everything at least 5 times already, it was lovely noticing all the little details (usually instrumental licks or riffs here and there) I've missed before.

Such a sick variety of songs that you’re never bored or feel the length of this project. This time around Happiness is a Warm Gun has become a favorite

The album that changed my life. I would quite literally not be the person I am without it. These days, it’s only my third favorite Beatles album, but still likely my fifth favorite of all-time by anyone. Just massively important, personally and otherwise. I love every single second of it and wouldn’t change a thing about it. Eternally grateful. I’m so lucky to live in a world where this exists. 5+/5

The Beatles are so omnipresent in our culture that I don’t often go back & listen to them. Playing this entire album made me realise, once again, how amazing they were. Even the duff/joke tracks are fantastic. But then I’ve always liked Rocky Raccoon more than most 😁

All I knew from this before was While my Guitar Gently Weeps and the Revolutions. I still think "Weeps" is my favorite song from the album (for nostalgia reasons), but I really understand now this album has received universal praise since it's release (and also why parents thought rock was devil music). This album is disjointed in all the right ways, basically inviting you to want to learn more about the Beatles and their story. All four of the members have songwriting credits appear somewhere on the album, and it's apparent especially when Paul and John weren't writing together. Fookin hell, I didn't think I would actually be able to write more than Alex on any particular entry here. Looks like I'm the winner this time, hehehe...

I don’t know how this can’t be five stars.

Yes it’s long and yes it suffers from that thing all double albums suffer from in that its maybe bloated in places. And yes it takes a great deal of willpower to not skip past Revolution 9. However the fact of the matter is there are simply to many brilliant tracks here to list. A staggering, unrivalled collection of songs in one place. On the White album The Beatles are having fun, and they want you to have fun too.

- before listening to this album I’ve been of the firm belief that any album above 20 tracks should be thrown in the trash. Listening to this album has not changed that

I mean cmon. It’s the beatles. Can’t wait for abbey road

One of my favorite albums of all time. This is a freewheeling expression, going in a million directions, different genres, styles, and moods piling up one atop another. Jokes, jams, and profound statements coexist as one. I can think of nothing else quite like this. Additionally, several of the best individual Beatles songs are on here. Highlights: "Dear Prudence," "While My Guitar Gently Weeps," "Martha My Dear," "I'm So Tired," "Blackbird," "Rocky Raccoon," "Yer Blues," "Helter Skelter," "Revolution 1," and "Revolution 9".

On earlier Beatles albums I used to have a hard time telling John & Paul apart, but here it was much easier - even though I always thought Helter Skelter was a John song. It seems like everybody is doing their own thing, but it makes for a lot of variety, which you need for a double album. Side 4 drags a bit but it was good to hear the original Revolution. It was a smart move to make a single of the more aggressive version. I like George Harrison’s contributions and even the Ringo stuff is OK especially the lullaby for John’s son that he sings to close it out. And of course the album will always have a great historical impact because of it's influence on Charlie Manson.

This is easily in my top 10 favorite albums of all time.

Haven’t personally sat and listened to any Beatles album before from beginning to end. I know as a child no one in my family owned any of their albums. Very curious how the next 99 minutes will be… I recall hearing most, but not all, the songs on The White Album before (from the can't recall hearing category is "Honey Pie", one of my favorites during this listen). There were also some songs that I have heard somewhere in the past, but completely forgot about ("The Continuing Story of Bungalow Bill", “Rocky Racoon”). I think what surprises me most (but really shouldn’t) is how whimsical this all is. Maybe because I mostly associated this album with Revolution 9 and Helter Skelter/Charles Manson I hadn’t expected that. Glad to have cleared up a terrible overgeneralization. Very much enjoyed The White Album's wild eclecticism. Only took me 53 years to get here but I am very glad I did.

Masterpiece. Even if you strip out the seemingly "throw-away" tracks (which actually are an important part of blending it all together) you would still have enough tracks to make a classic double album. Admittedly, this might be a tough listen to a non Beatles fan.

Any time I listen to the Beatles I'm never not astounded that they existed for such a short period, pulled songs out of the ether as it was nothing, released them on records year-after-year, and we're still talking about them more than 50 years after they split up. And that McCartney was still in his 20s when they split. This should probably lose points for 'Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da' and 'Why Don't We Do It In the Road'. It's a far easier job to name the worst Beatles songs than the best songs. Worth listening to the extended version for the 'Esher Demos'

Julia is one of my favorite Beatles songs

already listened to this so many times. loved every bit of it.

Cool

These guys are pretty good. I should listen to them a lot more. Seriously though, I dug into the history of this album and loved both the songs and the history.

One of my favorite albums of all time. I could spend all day talking about each of the tracks, but I'll just focus on the overarching nature of the songs. The key aspect is the diversity in genre and styles. The Beatles had just come back from their trip in Rishikesh with nearly their entire career under their belt. Each of the Beatles had creative freedom to do whatever they wanted in their songs, despite the constant bickering in the studio. Many are acoustic written during their Rishikesh trip others like "Glass Onion" follow from their psychedelic trend since Revolver, and others are like nothing else in their catalog (most notably the ska "Ob-La-Di Ob-La-Da" and metal "Helter Skelter"). But despite these differences, the album flows seamlessly from track to track. It's incredibly smooth and there aren't any unintended rough cuts between contrasting songs. I've always been able to tell people exactly what the next song on the album was without having memorized the track listing... only by listening to the current song. "Back in the USSR" which the airline landing calming down the mood from the energetic opening to something exactly the opposite, serene and blissful. Or the sudden "ay oh" and chords from the folk "Bungalow Bill" to "While My Guitar Gently Weeps." Maybe it's because the first half of each song is so distinctive that you immediately know the sudden stylistic shift from track to track. A lot of these tracks don't belong on any other album except this one. They're a lot simpler, and often very weird, but distinctively Beatles. There aren't any bad tracks. Some cases could be made. "Honey Pie" is experimental and could be forgettable by its unmelodic nature, but that trippy sound is ingrained in my mind. "Why Don't We Do It In the Road" is catchy and fun and doesn't disrupt the flow or character of the album. I always interpreted it as McCartney making fun of Lennon's rough vocals, especially since it's followed by "I Will." Yoko's vocals in "Bungalow Bill" is a little annoying, but it grows on you, and I love McCartney's vocal and lyrical refrains. "Rocky Raccoon" is one of the first songs I really paid attention to lyrics, and I recall over a decade ago watching a fan-made claymation on Youtube. I read too much into "Don't Pass Me By" with the conspiracy theories. To me, the climax of the album felt like it started with "Helter Skelter" despite there still being a half hour left. My favorite transition is from the frightening "Helter Skelter" to the peaceful "Long Long Long" that feels like the quiet following a storm. I always preferred the album "Revolution" to the single, but that's probably because I would only hear the single on the radio, while I've listened to this album hundreds of times. "Savoy Truffle" has been a personal favorite of mine. Not that it's on of my favorite tracks on the album, that would be an impossible task for me to decide on. But that no one talks about or references it nearly as much as I do. I love that midway transition so much. Then the avant-garde "Revolution 9" freaked the hell out of my 11 year old mind. I was really confused and frankly scared my first few times hearing it, and I remember recording it on my phone then back-masking it. I blame this song for me liking weird avant-garde songs. Album ends on a lovely note, another quiet after the storm, kinda like the closing track "Radio 4" on PIL's Metal Box. I always underestimate the effect that Beatles music had on my life. If not for the Beatles, I would not be here writing these reviews. I believe it was this album in particular that gave me an appreciation for all sorts of music built on rock and pop. And it may have extended to allow me to appreciate different styles of art, and in general, different people's perspectives. Maybe that's a stretch. Not bad for an album I discovered myself as an 11 year old just because I heard the word Beatles thrown around on the radio along with popular songs I liked.

It's the Beatles and it's hard to rate any of their work as anything but excellent. That being said, this album is as much of a release of a bunch of material prior to their break-up and could've potentially benefited from a single album's treatment.

Girl she’s messy

An hour and 20 minutes of relentless twaddle in 2 and a half minute chunks with the exception of one good song - While my guitar gently weeps and a couple of OK tracks - Yer Blues and Helter Skelter. Why this band is considered the greatest ever is completely beyond my comprehension.

This is silly.

There's too much to say about this album. It's just terrific. Picked up on a lot of new things listening this time: disquieting stereo effects, interesting fade-outs and transitions between songs, lyrics I've never quite caught ("trying to make a dove-tail joint"). Such diverse musical styles but nothing sounds out of place. I love it mucho.

Lives up to the hype.

Pretty cool, and interesting to see where people have joked about this before, plus "When my guitar slowly weeps" is just such a banger

Beatlemanico

Still perfect. Still not a fan of Revolution 9.

It is a concept album... and we are here for this...

You can tell that this album is being pulled in all sorts of directions by each of the members. But despite the length and clear fillers, below other Beatles work, to me it’s a masterpiece.

Obviously ground breaking, a classic. Incredible etc.. probably will never listen through again so I don't have to put up with tracks like Revolution 9

klsddikrt

5.0

First Beatles album was amazing way to end Fall 2021 semester!! Time to start Spring 2022 Semester Music!!

Know this album from my youth, have always been a huge Beatles fan. Definitely one of the top 3 albums by this band.

An absolute stone-cold classic. An album you can listen to on repeat forever and never get sick of.

Nothing like a great Beatles album to whet the labium.

Yes

Yeah this was pretty class. Potentially their most versatile album? Like there are so many different sounds thrown in here and they all sound pretty great.

I had never listened to this whole album. I owned and loved Sgt Pepper and listened to that over and over again back in the day, but I couldn't afford many albums, and so I had Beatles compilations. They threw every kind of thing in this one, didn't they? I found some old loves, and some new favorites (including, but not limited to, Glass Onion, Bungalow Bill, Savoy Truffle). I liked the blues songs the least. I didn't finish the album in my first session, so when I was able to get back and listen to the rest, the first "song" was Revolution 9. Oh. Oh. Was it a local radio station that ended broadcasting each night with "Good Night"?

The greatest album ever made by the greatest band. Simple. I could pick any three tracks from this album - even Revolution 9.Best Tracks: Back In The USSR, Happiness Is A Warm Gun, Helter Skelter

Classic

If this album isn't the greatest music, well check out the album art... Har! Some of my favourite Beatles songs on this one, love it.

Incredible.

Great

Iconic.

Impeccable

🔥🔥🔥

A genre-bending masterpiece. A work of art. 1. Back In The USSR - Madness of an opener 10/10 2. Dear Prudence - And a banging follow up 9.5/10 3. Glass Onion - Not a favourite but a big tune 8/10 4. Ob La Di - a marmite Beatles track, I fucking love it 9/10 5. Wild Honey Pie - have a weird soft spot for this 8/10 6. Bungalow Bill - as above 8.5/10 7. While My Guitar - A triumph from George the #lad 10/10 8. Happiness Is A Warm Gun - One of Lennon's finest 10/10 9. Martha My Dear - The best of 'Paul's granny shit'. 8.5/10 10. I'm So Tired - A big tune 9.5/10 12. Blackbird - Genius in it's simplicity 10/10 13. Piggies - fucking weird man haha 6/10 14. Rocky Racoon - paints an interesting picture 8.5/10 15. Don't Pass Me By - a right old thigh slapper 8.5/10 16. Why Don't We Do It In The Road - a fairly average Beatles track 7/10 17. I Will - delightful 9/10 18. Julia - classic 10/10 19. Birthday - it's alright 8/10 20. Yer Blues - aye class 8.5/10 21. Mother Nature's Son - As above 8.5/10 22. Everybody's got Something To hide - ballsy 8.5/10 23. Sexy Sadie - big tune 9/10 24. Helter Skelter - colossal tune 10/10 25. Long, Long, Long - absolutely fucking love it v underated 10/10 26. Revolution 1 - The original version but not the best 9/10 27. Honey Pie - inoffensive 7.5/10 28. Savoy Truffle - one of my least favourite tracks 6/10 29. Cry Baby Cry - Lovely tune 8/10 30. Revolution 9 - once is enough really ain't it, only listen to it cos it's long skipping a track on the vinyl 4/10 31. Good Night - A perfect ending, reminds me of something from one of the proper old Disney films 7.5/10

this album has many of the great songs from the Beatles. It is fit together in a continuous way. Really a great album to own.

An absolute joy and marvel of an album.

This album has some of my favorite Beatles songs, but I’ve often overlooked many of the other songs. Despite a couple duds, still a great album!

The best.

Very cool awesome album very distinct songs

Superb. Is it a concept album? Or just a Beatles Masterpiece? Early signs of George's brilliance.

very good album

A few tracks maybe shouldn't have made the cut, but still...

ONe of the history best albums

Wowza what an album, never really listened to the Beatles before this and holy cats am I dumb

This might be my favorite Beatles album. It definitely has some all-timers on it, like Blackbird (my favorite Beatles track) and While My Guitar Gently Weeps (maybe my 3rd favorite after Hey Jude).

Fantastic album from front to back. Great songs, great flow to it. Feels like an album. 2 discs and I never got bored.

best album

The Beatles experimental album. Every song has unique feeling to it. But John's and George's songs are better than Paul's. If i had to choose the the most revolutionary song I'd choose "Helter Skelter", for what a pioneer it was for metal genre.

An absolute classic

Great album, but Revolution 9 is such a strange Song 😅

Amazing album, everything holds up well, even though I played it virtually every day for awhile in high school.

Classic.

Well, duh. This is the best record by The Beatles. Sgt. Peppers and Abbey Road come in a close 2nd/3rd though. That being said, the White Album is amazing. So many incredible tracks and a complete effort by all four members. Revolution 9 still confuses me, but hey - Yoko and experimental this or that. Whatever. It doesn't matter. Best Beatles album hands down, and possibly #1 album on this list. 6 stars!

I mean, it's the Beatles

❤️‍🩹

Another fantastic Beatles album. Has something for everyone.

I love this album top to bottom. It's exactly the kind of album I like and I like this one in particular.

Everywhere you can be, one song at a time.

Rating: 10/10 Best songs: all

the greatest!

Shelter Skelter was a genuine surprise and a delight. Punk! I thought the beatles were all more like While My Guitar Gently Weeps which I enjoy too and know is good but it doesn't surprise and delight me. Maybe because I've heard too much like it.

One of the best albums ever

it’s the beatles. you know

Already knew it well. How could it not be a 5?!