Win Janszoon Over to the Beatles

Paedantic Basterd · 03-02-2012, 05:29 PM

If I were doing such a thread, this format would give me greater motivation to follow through on my promise. I've taken probably 15 recommendations for hiphop albums before that people have merely listed, and I've maybe listened to two of those. The human element and the recommender's concern for my tastes makes me feel more enthusiasm for the topic at hand.

Mrd00d · 03-03-2012, 02:05 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

I wondered the same thing at first, but this is the way Jans wants to go about the whole thing. No problem there. It gets people involved and we can all comment on his reviews afterwards.

I think you still need Please Please Me, With The Beatles, A Hard Day's Night, and Beatles for Sale. I'm sending you Let It Be tonight.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

Because this way I actually feel obligated to do the write-ups and the person who sent me the album has a stake in reading my little review. It also means the people making the recommendations will most likely put a little more thought into their choices. It's easy to just rattle off a couple album titles when someone asks for a recommendation, but if you have to actually make an effort to send it to the person you're probably going to consider what you send a bit more. I'm actually pretty surprised that you think this is so weird since this is far from being the first thread on MB to follow this type of format.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Burning Down

Yeah, I would say that the "Send someone something they don't listen to" or "Weekly Music Trading Post" threads follow a similar format to this.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Pedestrian

If I were doing such a thread, this format would give me greater motivation to follow through on my promise. I've taken probably 15 recommendations for hiphop albums before that people have merely listed, and I've maybe listened to two of those. The human element and the recommender's concern for my tastes makes me feel more enthusiasm for the topic at hand.

Right right! It wasn't meant to be taken offensively. I was merely curious and the answers provided have satiated my curiosity. I understand now. Personally, I would have done it the torrent and ask way, which probably would have gotten less interaction/response than your method, so I've learned something - because I never would have thought to make a thread this way. And as you mention that it's not uncommon here on the boards... well, I've never sent anyone any albums and no one has sent me any... err... Skaligojurah sent me an album once and Bob for an album club... but that was ages ago. I am missing out and need to get more involved in those types of threads. I never ventured into or seen Jackhammer's Give me an album and I will review it thread or Urban's Thread Of Reappraisal, and I've been meaning to, but haven't ever gotten involved with the trading post. Right right.

Lisnaholic · 03-02-2012, 07:07 PM

It sounds as if Janszoon, like so many people, has been over-exposed to The Beatles, so that it`s difficult to hear anything that sounds fresh in any way. Certainly, most of the best albums have been sent his way already ( James getting in early with the one I would`ve selected, Revolver )
So, prompted by Burning Down`s mention of it, I`m sending Beatles For Sale, which is such a patchy album that it`s not played so often. Nonetheless, it has some great tracks, with Lennon exploring his sombre side for the first time, and it also shows the mid-career Beatles loosening their belts a little, playing for pleasure rather than trying to write yet another smash hit. if the Beatles journey is like some well travelled highway with lots of traffic, this album is like a little cul-de-sac that you go into by mistake, realise it`s quite nice, and then drive out of to join up with everyone else again.

Burning Down · 03-02-2012, 07:48 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Lisnaholic

It sounds as if Janszoon, like so many people, has been over-exposed to The Beatles, so that it`s difficult to hear anything that sounds fresh in any way. Certainly, most of the best albums have been sent his way already ( James getting in early with the one I would`ve selected, Revolver )
So, prompted by Burning Down`s mention of it, I`m sending Beatles For Sale, which is such a patchy album that it`s not played so often. Nonetheless, it has some great tracks, with Lennon exploring his sombre side for the first time, and it also shows the mid-career Beatles loosening their belts a little, playing for pleasure rather than trying to write yet another smash hit. if the Beatles journey is like some well travelled highway with lots of traffic, this album is like a little cul-de-sac that you go into by mistake, realise it`s quite nice, and then drive out of to join up with everyone else again.

Okay great, because the only copy of Beatles for Sale that I have is on vinyl, and it's like 45 years old so who knows how good it would sound if I managed to digitize it. I certainly agree that there are a lot of great songs on that particular album. Unfortunately, it tends to get overlooked when discussing the Beatles' entire discography.

I also love listening to their albums in order of release. You really get to hear how much they evolved and matured as musicians by doing so. And they sure matured a lot during the 7 years in which they released albums.

Howard the Duck · 03-02-2012, 10:59 PM

with regard to the OP, i don't think i'm a very good person to do that

definitely prefer the Beach Boys or the Stones more

Dr_Rez · 03-02-2012, 11:53 PM

Jans have you been won over yet?

**Goofle** · 03-03-2012, 04:23 AM

**Janszoon** · 03-03-2012, 12:27 PM

Okay, first review...

Abbey Road

Pedestrian was kind enough to send me this one and I have to say I think it was a pretty good place to start for me. Unlike several other Beatles albums, I'm not entirely sure I had ever listened to this all the way through until a few days ago and I was actually unfamiliar with most of the songs. As Lisnaholic guessed a few posts ago, one of my biggest problems getting into the Beatles has been overexposure so starting of with a bunch of tracks that were new to me was a nice, fresh place to begin.

The album began auspiciously for me with "Come Together", one of the few Beatles tracks I've always acknowledged enjoying even if I didn't like the band. There's just something about that sinewy bass line and reverby shoot me rhythm that I really dig. This is quickly followed up by "Something", a song I had completely forgotten even existed but which I also have always liked, a pattern that has repeated itself quite a few times for me while listening to the albums I've been sent. "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" was another similar experience—a song I had forgotten I knew. Though it's not quite as good as the preceding two tracks, I still like it and enjoy the contrast between the super-poppy sound and the fairly dark lyrics. I had a similar reaction to "Octopus's Garden" as well—just a silly song but really fun. The two weakest points on side one were "Oh! Darling" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", for very different reasons. "Oh! Darling" seemed kind of ho-hum compared to some of the other tracks. It's not bad but as a stab at middle-of-the-road R&B it was a little bland. "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", on the other hand, I found kind of directionless, but even though I don't think it's particularly satisfying overall, I really like the last three minutes or so of the song. It almost sounds like some kind of proto doom metal to my ears, which was surprising but very cool.

Side two opens with "Here Comes the Sun", a song I've always had slightly positive but mostly neutral feelings toward. I have to say, though, listening to it on headphones for the first time ever has given me a new respect for it. I really enjoy all the subtle details that are mixed in here, especially those sweet analogue synths. The rest of this side is interesting. Honestly, on first listen I found it really weak and uneven, but after listening to the album four or five more times it's really grown on me, though I still think it's a little uneven. I found the heavy Beach Boys influence on "Because" and "Sun King" of particular interest since I've been listening to a hell of a lot of Beach Boys' music lately and I really enjoyed both songs. A few of the tracks, namely "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Polythene Pam", "Golden Slumbers" and "The End" were just sort of there for me, not bad songs really but nothing too exciting. The remaining songs, however, I loved. "Carry That Weight" is another song I knew and liked but had forgotten about. "Mean Mr. Mustard" is cuddly fun in a Nilsson-esque way (he was actually present for the recording of a bunch of this album, interestingly enough). "Her Majesty" is brief but cool. And "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" is probably my favorite song on this side. I love the lead guitar, and having listened to most of their discography at this point, I'm fascinated by how much better the guitar playing is here than on some of their older stuff, a point which I'll probably be revisiting in other reviews.

Anyway, thank again for sending this, Ped. I'm not sure it won over to the band completely but listening to Abbey Road many times over the past few days was certainly no chore. I do enjoy it and it's definitely something I'll continue listening to.

Mrd00d · 03-03-2012, 01:08 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Janszoon

"Maxwell's Silver Hammer" was another similar experience—a song I had forgotten I knew. Though it's not quite as good as the preceding two tracks, I still like it and enjoy the contrast between the super-poppy sound and the fairly dark lyrics.

"I Want You (She's So Heavy)", on the other hand, I found kind of directionless, but even though I don't think it's particularly satisfying overall, I really like the last three minutes or so of the song. It almost sounds like some kind of proto doom metal to my ears, which was surprising but very cool.

The end of She's So Heavy is what it's all about. I wanted to show you this video because it really added a new dimension to the song, whether the Beatles ever intended this meaning is up for debate...See if this does anything for you:

Also did you catch the Maxwell's animated video I posted in this thread the other day? I think it's at the bottom of page one or two...

**Janszoon** · 03-03-2012, 02:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrd00d

The end of She's So Heavy is what it's all about. I wanted to show you this video because it really added a new dimension to the song, whether the Beatles ever intended this meaning is up for debate...See if this does anything for you:

Heh. That's interesting. I assume that's from Across the Universe, right? I may have to check that movie out.

Quote:

Originally Posted by Mrd00d

Also did you catch the Maxwell's animated video I posted in this thread the other day? I think it's at the bottom of page one or two...

Just watched it and liked it a lot. It goes perfectly with the song and seriously made me laugh out loud a couple times.

Quote:

Originally Posted by blastingas10

She's So Heavy is just great. It shows some very tasty guitar licks and a nice little solo, it demonstrates some good guitar playing from John; a very dark little arpeggiated chord progression and some nasty organ play. I remember hearing someone say that it could almost be Sabbath song. That shouldn't be taken too literally but it just exemplifies the darkness of the song and goes to show that The Beatles can do more than make upbeat pop songs.

Yep, I agree. It doesn't precisely sound like Black Sabbath or anything, but like I mentioned in my review it certainly has some doom metal tendencies.

03-02-2012, 07:07 PM	#3 (permalink)
Lisnaholic ...here to hear... Join Date: Nov 2010 Location: He lives on Love Street Posts: 4,444	It sounds as if Janszoon, like so many people, has been over-exposed to The Beatles, so that it`s difficult to hear anything that sounds fresh in any way. Certainly, most of the best albums have been sent his way already ( James getting in early with the one I would`ve selected, Revolver ) So, prompted by Burning Down`s mention of it, I`m sending Beatles For Sale, which is such a patchy album that it`s not played so often. Nonetheless, it has some great tracks, with Lennon exploring his sombre side for the first time, and it also shows the mid-career Beatles loosening their belts a little, playing for pleasure rather than trying to write yet another smash hit. if the Beatles journey is like some well travelled highway with lots of traffic, this album is like a little cul-de-sac that you go into by mistake, realise it`s quite nice, and then drive out of to join up with everyone else again. __________________ "Am I enjoying this moment? I know of it and perhaps that is enough." - Sybille Bedford, 1953

03-02-2012, 11:53 PM	#6 (permalink)
Dr_Rez Registered Jimmy Rustler Join Date: Sep 2007 Location: USA Posts: 5,370	Jans have you been won over yet? __________________ Best chance of losing virginity is in prison crew Always Checks Credentials Crew nba > nfl crew Shave one of my legs to pretend its a girl in my bed crew

03-03-2012, 12:27 PM	#8 (permalink)
Janszoon Mate, Spawn & Die Join Date: May 2007 Location: The Rapping Community Posts: 24,593	Okay, first review... Abbey Road Pedestrian was kind enough to send me this one and I have to say I think it was a pretty good place to start for me. Unlike several other Beatles albums, I'm not entirely sure I had ever listened to this all the way through until a few days ago and I was actually unfamiliar with most of the songs. As Lisnaholic guessed a few posts ago, one of my biggest problems getting into the Beatles has been overexposure so starting of with a bunch of tracks that were new to me was a nice, fresh place to begin. The album began auspiciously for me with "Come Together", one of the few Beatles tracks I've always acknowledged enjoying even if I didn't like the band. There's just something about that sinewy bass line and reverby shoot me rhythm that I really dig. This is quickly followed up by "Something", a song I had completely forgotten even existed but which I also have always liked, a pattern that has repeated itself quite a few times for me while listening to the albums I've been sent. "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" was another similar experience—a song I had forgotten I knew. Though it's not quite as good as the preceding two tracks, I still like it and enjoy the contrast between the super-poppy sound and the fairly dark lyrics. I had a similar reaction to "Octopus's Garden" as well—just a silly song but really fun. The two weakest points on side one were "Oh! Darling" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", for very different reasons. "Oh! Darling" seemed kind of ho-hum compared to some of the other tracks. It's not bad but as a stab at middle-of-the-road R&B it was a little bland. "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", on the other hand, I found kind of directionless, but even though I don't think it's particularly satisfying overall, I really like the last three minutes or so of the song. It almost sounds like some kind of proto doom metal to my ears, which was surprising but very cool. Side two opens with "Here Comes the Sun", a song I've always had slightly positive but mostly neutral feelings toward. I have to say, though, listening to it on headphones for the first time ever has given me a new respect for it. I really enjoy all the subtle details that are mixed in here, especially those sweet analogue synths. The rest of this side is interesting. Honestly, on first listen I found it really weak and uneven, but after listening to the album four or five more times it's really grown on me, though I still think it's a little uneven. I found the heavy Beach Boys influence on "Because" and "Sun King" of particular interest since I've been listening to a hell of a lot of Beach Boys' music lately and I really enjoyed both songs. A few of the tracks, namely "You Never Give Me Your Money", "Polythene Pam", "Golden Slumbers" and "The End" were just sort of there for me, not bad songs really but nothing too exciting. The remaining songs, however, I loved. "Carry That Weight" is another song I knew and liked but had forgotten about. "Mean Mr. Mustard" is cuddly fun in a Nilsson-esque way (he was actually present for the recording of a bunch of this album, interestingly enough). "Her Majesty" is brief but cool. And "She Came in Through the Bathroom Window" is probably my favorite song on this side. I love the lead guitar, and having listened to most of their discography at this point, I'm fascinated by how much better the guitar playing is here than on some of their older stuff, a point which I'll probably be revisiting in other reviews. Anyway, thank again for sending this, Ped. I'm not sure it won over to the band completely but listening to Abbey Road many times over the past few days was certainly no chore. I do enjoy it and it's definitely something I'll continue listening to. __________________ A Night in the Life of the Invisible Man Time & Place 25 Albums You Should Hear Before the Moon Crashes into the Earth and We All Die last.fm

03-02-2012, 05:29 PM	#1 (permalink)
Paedantic Basterd Music Addict Join Date: Sep 2010 Posts: 5,184	If I were doing such a thread, this format would give me greater motivation to follow through on my promise. I've taken probably 15 recommendations for hiphop albums before that people have merely listed, and I've maybe listened to two of those. The human element and the recommender's concern for my tastes makes me feel more enthusiasm for the topic at hand.