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The Beatles Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Release Date: 1967 06 01 Running Time: 39:43 Label: Capitol With Revolver, the Beatles made the Great Leap Forward, reaching a previously unheard-of level of sophistication and fearless experimentation. Sgt. Pepper, in many ways, refines that breakthrough, as the Beatles consciously synthesized such disparate influences as psychedelia, art-song, classical music, rock & roll, and music hall, often in the course of one song. Not once does the diversity seem forced -- the genius of the record is how the vaudevillian "When I'm 64" seems like a logical extension of "Within You Without You" and how it provides a gateway to the chiming guitars of "Lovely Rita." There's no discounting the individual contributions of each member or their producer, George Martin, but the preponderance of whimsy and self-conscious art gives the impression that Paul McCartney is the leader of the Lonely Hearts Club Band. He dominates the album in terms of compositions, setting the tone for the album with his unabashed melodicism and deviously clever arrangements. In comparison, Lennon's contributions seem fewer, and a couple of them are a little slight but his major statements are stunning. "With a Little Help From My Friends" is the ideal Ringo tune, a rolling, friendly pop song that hides genuine Lennon anguish, à la "Help!"; "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds" remains one of the touchstones of British psychedelia; and he's the mastermind behind the bulk of "A Day in the Life," a haunting number that skillfully blends Lennon's verse and chorus with McCartney's bridge. It's possible to argue that there are better Beatles albums, yet no album is as historically important as this. After Sgt. Pepper, there were no rules to follow -- rock and pop bands could try anything, for better or worse. Ironically, few tried to achieve the sweeping, all-encompassing embrace of music as the Beatles did here. Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide Tracks: Title Composer Time 1 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band Lennon, McCartney 2:02 2 With a Little Help from My Friends Lennon, McCartney 2:44 3 Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds Lennon, McCartney 3:28 4 Getting Better Lennon, McCartney 2:47 5 Fixing a Hole Lennon, McCartney 2:36 6 She's Leaving Home Lennon, McCartney 3:35 7 Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite! Lennon, McCartney 2:37 8 Within You Without You Harrison 5:05 9 When I'm Sixty-Four Lennon, McCartney 2:37 10 Lovely Rita Lennon, McCartney 2:42 11 Good Morning Good Morning Lennon, McCartney 2:41 12 Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise) Lennon, McCartney 1:18 13 Day in the Life Lennon, McCartney 5:33 Releases: Year Type Label 1987 CD Capitol 2002 CD EMI 1998 CD Toshiba EMI 1987 CS Capitol 1991 CS Capitol 1978 LP Capitol 1987 LP Capitol 1991 LP Capitol 2008 LP EMD Int'l 1992 LP EMI/Parlophone 1982 LP Mobile Fidelity 1967 LP Parlophone 2004 LP Toshiba EMI

Group Members: Stuart Sutcliffe Pete Best George Harrison Paul McCartney John Lennon More >> Similar Artists: Peter & Gordon The Monkees The Searchers The Hollies Gerry & the Pacemakers More >>

Influenced By: Fats Domino Roy Orbison Little Richard The Isley Brothers Buddy Holly More >> Followers: Nic Armstrong The Redwalls The Lovethugs The Singles The High Dials More >>

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