'Help!' was The Beatles first British album release for 1965. Side one of the LP was the soundtrack for their movie Help!
The album kicks off with the song of the same title 'Help!' This classic John wrote in 15 minutes still held the trademark excitement of Beatlemania but it contained Lennon’s more raucous vocals. The upbeat song kicks off with the powerful chorus as heard in 'She Loves You' previously - 5/5.
The second song of the album is ‘The Night Before’ written by Paul. This upbeat rocker keeps the album flowing with McCartney’s powerful vocals. This number seems to me as a song where The Beatles are losing their pop ‘innocence.’ The thought of ‘The Night Before’ is becoming more intimate than just holding hands and a kiss - 4/5.
‘You’ve Got To Hide Your Love Away’ is one of my personal favourites on this album. It’s a perfectly produced piece of acoustic/folk-rock. John reveals his Dylan influence in this song, keeping a fairly simple melody but retaining a meaningful lyric – 5/5.
‘I Need You’ is one of Harrison’s underrated numbers. The use of synchronized guitar gives a good backup to George’s vocal. This song brings out Harrison’s true patience and grace – 4/5.
‘Another Girl’ is another enjoyable McCartney tune which contains the rock and roll style as used in ‘The Night Before.’ This song has a folk/rock/country feel with the occasional nice licks played by George here and there - 4/5.
‘You’re Gonna Lose That Girl’ is a track which predominantly relies on the use of backing vocals. Instrumentally it has a fairly nice solo amongst it but seems fairly empty. It’s not my favourite on the album to be honest purely because it seems a little uninspired – 3.5/5.
‘Ticket To Ride’ is a great heavier track on the album. This song gives more of a live sound. It uses more climactic instrumentals, has a great bridge and includes nice licks scattered in the piece. ‘Ticket To Ride’ is quite a unique 1965 rocker because it holds a certain louder quality rarely heard at this point in time – 5/5
‘Act Naturally’ is probably my least favourite song on the album. This particular cover track is a little ‘too country’ for me. Ringo’s vocals suit the song but I’m not particular excited by the style of song or Ringo’s fairly monotonic vocals – 2.5/5.
‘It’s Only Love’ is one of John’s truly unknown and underrated jewels. Although he said himself he didn’t like the vocals, this song has a great message and brilliant saddening melody - 5/5.
‘You Like Me Too Much’ seems again like ‘You’re Gonna Lose That Girl’ it doesn’t have a overly inspiring message or meaning. It has a nice instrumental break but definitely not a Harrison or ‘Help!’ standout - 3/5.
‘Tell Me What You See’ is also a fairly hidden song. It is a nice tune and very listenable. It has a begging chorus and an answer and reply vocal performed by John and Paul - 4/5.
‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’ is a very upbeat folk-rock ballad song. Paul’s delicately sung vocals are accompanied by a simple but beautifully fluent melody. ‘I’ve Just Seen A Face’ has an amazing urgency, musically and vocally, which is recognised with the pace and lyric of the song – 5/5.
‘Yesterday’ is no doubt one of the greatest written ballads of all time. It is an absolute masterpiece, melodically and vocally. Inspired by heartbreak, McCartney’s beautiful vocals accompanied by a string orchestra and picking acoustic guitar really displays The Beatles beginning of musical maturity – 5/5.
‘Dizzy Miss Lizzy’ is a fairly dismal rock and roll finish to the album. Only two covers were released on the LP and this was one of them. A repetitive guitar riff doesn’t allow for the most surprising track, although Lennon’s vocal is enjoyable - 3/5.
This album has some amazing points. It contains three number one hits and a few hidden jems here and there. The two biggest let downs on the album are 'Dizzy Miss Lizzy' and 'Act Naturally.' This is probably a compliment to The Beatles consistent song writing, but i just don't see anything in these fairly dismal cover songs. The Beatles definitely begin to show their musical and lyrical maturity on this album.
Recommeded: (No order)
- Help!
- Yesterday
- Ticket To Ride
- It's Only Love
- You've Got To Hide Your Love Away
