The Beatles Discography: Ranked

Powerstars · 01-06-2013, 10:01 AM

Oheydere. I'm a huge fan of The Beatles. I have the box set, and I'm always looking for new material from them, like solo material or the Anthology series. So, I decided to rank their official discography from weakest to strongest. In case you're not filled in on their official discography, here are the albums I'll be placing on the list:

Please Please Me (1963)
With The Beatles (1963)
A Hard Day's Night (1964)
Beatles For Sale (1964)
Help! (1965)
Rubber Soul (1965)
Revolver (1966)
Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967)
Magical Mystery Tour (1967)
The White Album (1968)
Abbey Road (1969)
Let It Be (1970)
Past Masters (1988)

So, without further ado, we'll get started on this top 13!

Powerstars · 01-06-2013, 10:10 AM

13: Yellow Submarine

While this album has the classics, "Yellow Submarine," and "All You Need Is Love," and hidden gems like "Hey Bulldog," there is a huge, unforgivable flaw. Instead of including all the songs from the movie, half of this thing is filled with George Martin's orchestral score from the movie, which is good in it's own right, but should have been released separately. That said, "Hey Bulldog" has one of the most underrated riffs in Rock history and "It's All Too Much" is a psychedelic masterpiece. I feel this could have been a great Beatles album, but they had to tack the score onto the end of it.

12: The White Album

For every amazing track on this album, there are two filler tracks. For every "Back In The USSR," there's a "Wild Honey Pie" and "Revolution 9." That said, when the songs on this are good, they're really freaking good! There are the obvious choices like "Blackbird," but then there are more obscure gems like "Long, Long, Long" and "Don't Pass Me By." Even some of the filler tracks are enjoyable. For whatever reason, I feel myself drawn to stuff like "Honey Pie," because The Beatles don't do much stuff like it. I really like it when they go experimental.

Powerstars · 01-06-2013, 01:24 PM

11: Beatles For Sale

Some of the covers on this album that people hated are the reason I like it. It sounded pure. The best covers are "Rock And Roll Music" and "Words Of Love." Other highlights include "I'll Follow The Sun" and ""No Reply" It just feels so raw and pure, sort of like a live performance. Very off the cuff. That's why I like it so much. I do think it could use a bit of clean-up with the filler, though. Tracks that seemed like filler include "Honey Don't" and (Please don't hurt me, it's my opinion) "Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey."

10: With The Beatles

Another one overflowing with covers, but they're a lot better this time around. I find this album to be grossly underrated, along with all of the hidden gems on it! Everyone seems to hate the cover of "Devil In His Heart," which was one of my favorite tracks on the album. Other overlooked tunes include "All I've Got To Do," "Not A Second Time," and "You've Really Got A Hold On Me." Other then that, it has some more popular songs, like "All My Loving." The covers on this one were fantastic!

Powerstars · 01-07-2013, 04:13 PM

9: Past Masters

Very enjoyable collection of songs, but that's it's biggest issue; it's not an album, it's a collection. A good, interesting collection, mind you, but a collection. I really can't say much.

8: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Don't shoot me, please! This is my opinion, and I find this album highly overrated. This is because of various things. For one, it was short for a Beatles album. For two, "Within You Without You" was too long and boring, and it was George's only effort on the album. For three, the transitions between tracks on the CD version is awkward, especially songs that were meant to go together, like Sgt. Pepper/With A Little Help.

TboneFrank · 02-18-2013, 12:24 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Powerstars

8: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

Don't shoot me, please! This is my opinion, and I find this album highly overrated. This is because of various things. For one, it was short for a Beatles album. For two, "Within You Without You" was too long and boring, and it was George's only effort on the album. For three, the transitions between tracks on the CD version is awkward, especially songs that were meant to go together, like Sgt. Pepper/With A Little Help. [/CENTER]

Um...I might have to shoot you.

For one, the album is like an average of 5 minutes longer than all of their previous releases and the later Let It Be.

For two, George's song is one of the most experimental things the Beatles put on record and I can't imagine the album without it. He took the sitar way beyond it's introduction on Rubber Soul. Nowadays with all the world music we've had since George's bold use of the sitar in this song the way he envisioned it the sitar doesn't sound that revolutionary anymore. Back then it was mind-blowing and deserved all it's praise for being on a pop album so front and center. "Within You Without You" with it's heavy instrumental structure wouldn't work confined to your typical 3 minute pop song back then. Bands like The Beatles were trying to break out of that shell ever since Dylan broke the 3 minute time barrier for a hit single with Like A Rolling Stone.

For three, the awkward transition you mention is not a reason for claiming the album is over-rated. It's just a criticism of the sloppy transfer they did when they mastered the CD decades later.

I like your thread tho...The Beatles always brings on interesting discussions.

Brad Stengel · 03-28-2013, 01:23 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by TboneFrank

Um...I might have to shoot you.

For one, the album is like an average of 5 minutes longer than all of their previous releases and the later Let It Be.

For two, George's song is one of the most experimental things the Beatles put on record and I can't imagine the album without it. He took the sitar way beyond it's introduction on Rubber Soul. Nowadays with all the world music we've had since George's bold use of the sitar in this song the way he envisioned it the sitar doesn't sound that revolutionary anymore. Back then it was mind-blowing and deserved all it's praise for being on a pop album so front and center. "Within You Without You" with it's heavy instrumental structure wouldn't work confined to your typical 3 minute pop song back then. Bands like The Beatles were trying to break out of that shell ever since Dylan broke the 3 minute time barrier for a hit single with Like A Rolling Stone.

For three, the awkward transition you mention is not a reason for claiming the album is over-rated. It's just a criticism of the sloppy transfer they did when they mastered the CD decades later.

I like your thread tho...The Beatles always brings on interesting discussions.

Honestly, if they replaced "Within You, Without You" with "Strawberry Fields" and "Penny Lane" the album would be a bajillion times better. I used to do that whenever I'd make cassette copies of it. Then again it's the ****ing Beatles that made this choice, who the hell am I to critique.

As it stands I find Sgt. Peppers overrated, and more and more as the years go on I see more people with this opinion. I think the initial shock of such an experimental album being so mainstream has wore off after 40ish years, and now we can listen to it as music moreso than a pop-culture artifact. When you take that mystique away from this record, it doesn't leave nearly as much as we've read to believe.

edwardc77 · 04-16-2013, 07:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Stengel

Honestly, if they replaced "Within You, Without You" with "Strawberry Fields" and "Penny Lane" the album would be a bajillion times better. I used to do that whenever I'd make cassette copies of it. Then again it's the ****ing Beatles that made this choice, who the hell am I to critique.

I always thought that if The Beatles replaced "Yellow Submarine" with "Rain" on Revolver,that would make the album perfect.....

Powerstars · 05-27-2013, 11:43 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by edwardc77

I always thought that if The Beatles replaced "Yellow Submarine" with "Rain" on Revolver,that would make the album perfect.....

"Rain" is an awesome song, but I like Revolver the way it is.

Oh Danny Boy · 07-23-2013, 05:11 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Brad Stengel

As it stands I find Sgt. Peppers overrated, and more and more as the years go on I see more people with this opinion. I think the initial shock of such an experimental album being so mainstream has wore off after 40ish years, and now we can listen to it as music moreso than a pop-culture artifact. When you take that mystique away from this record, it doesn't leave nearly as much as we've read to believe.

The Beatles are the most over rated band ever, a good boy band, but nothing more. But if the Beatles are the most over rated band ever then Sgt pepper joins them as the most over rated album ever.

Not only at the same time but also in the same building as when the Beatles were working on Sgt Pepper, S.F. Sorrow and Piper at the Gates of Dawn we being created. Now those are two truly revolutionary albums of the 60's.

Unknown Soldier · 08-09-2013, 02:46 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Oh Danny Boy

The Beatles are the most over rated band ever, a good boy band, but nothing more.

Sounds like you've only ever listened to about two or three of their songs.

Quote:

Not only at the same time but also in the same building as when the Beatles were working on Sgt Pepper, S.F. Sorrow and Piper at the Gates of Dawn we being created. Now those are two truly revolutionary albums of the 60's.

I know all three of those albums very well and would say the Sgt.Pepper was the most accomplished of the three and Piper at the Gates of Dawn actually the most overrated of the three.

01-06-2013, 10:01 AM	#1 (permalink)
Powerstars Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 450	The Beatles Discography: Ranked Oheydere. I'm a huge fan of The Beatles. I have the box set, and I'm always looking for new material from them, like solo material or the Anthology series. So, I decided to rank their official discography from weakest to strongest. In case you're not filled in on their official discography, here are the albums I'll be placing on the list: Please Please Me (1963) With The Beatles (1963) A Hard Day's Night (1964) Beatles For Sale (1964) Help! (1965) Rubber Soul (1965) Revolver (1966) Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (1967) Magical Mystery Tour (1967) The White Album (1968) Abbey Road (1969) Let It Be (1970) Past Masters (1988) So, without further ado, we'll get started on this top 13!

01-07-2013, 04:13 PM	#4 (permalink)
Powerstars Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 450	9: Past Masters Very enjoyable collection of songs, but that's it's biggest issue; it's not an album, it's a collection. A good, interesting collection, mind you, but a collection. I really can't say much. 8: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Don't shoot me, please! This is my opinion, and I find this album highly overrated. This is because of various things. For one, it was short for a Beatles album. For two, "Within You Without You" was too long and boring, and it was George's only effort on the album. For three, the transitions between tracks on the CD version is awkward, especially songs that were meant to go together, like Sgt. Pepper/With A Little Help. __________________ Last.Fm My New Journal Favorite Album Of The Moment: They Might Be Giants - Glean Last edited by Powerstars; 02-01-2013 at 03:04 PM.

01-06-2013, 10:10 AM	#2 (permalink)
Powerstars Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 450	13: Yellow Submarine While this album has the classics, "Yellow Submarine," and "All You Need Is Love," and hidden gems like "Hey Bulldog," there is a huge, unforgivable flaw. Instead of including all the songs from the movie, half of this thing is filled with George Martin's orchestral score from the movie, which is good in it's own right, but should have been released separately. That said, "Hey Bulldog" has one of the most underrated riffs in Rock history and "It's All Too Much" is a psychedelic masterpiece. I feel this could have been a great Beatles album, but they had to tack the score onto the end of it. 12: The White Album For every amazing track on this album, there are two filler tracks. For every "Back In The USSR," there's a "Wild Honey Pie" and "Revolution 9." That said, when the songs on this are good, they're really freaking good! There are the obvious choices like "Blackbird," but then there are more obscure gems like "Long, Long, Long" and "Don't Pass Me By." Even some of the filler tracks are enjoyable. For whatever reason, I feel myself drawn to stuff like "Honey Pie," because The Beatles don't do much stuff like it. I really like it when they go experimental.

01-06-2013, 01:24 PM	#3 (permalink)
Powerstars Music Addict Join Date: Jan 2013 Posts: 450	11: Beatles For Sale Some of the covers on this album that people hated are the reason I like it. It sounded pure. The best covers are "Rock And Roll Music" and "Words Of Love." Other highlights include "I'll Follow The Sun" and ""No Reply" It just feels so raw and pure, sort of like a live performance. Very off the cuff. That's why I like it so much. I do think it could use a bit of clean-up with the filler, though. Tracks that seemed like filler include "Honey Don't" and (Please don't hurt me, it's my opinion) "Kansas City/Hey Hey Hey." 10: With The Beatles Another one overflowing with covers, but they're a lot better this time around. I find this album to be grossly underrated, along with all of the hidden gems on it! Everyone seems to hate the cover of "Devil In His Heart," which was one of my favorite tracks on the album. Other overlooked tunes include "All I've Got To Do," "Not A Second Time," and "You've Really Got A Hold On Me." Other then that, it has some more popular songs, like "All My Loving." The covers on this one were fantastic!