Rubber Soul

Appearing at the end of 1965, Rubber Soul was a beautiful, gleaming revelation. After three years of continually expanding, ground-breaking pop/rock music, the Beatles had suddenly reached a position of unquestionable sophistication and maturity. From this moment on, no one could truly seriously question the group's talent, integrity or power to make good on what seemed the endless promise of their phenomenal mass success. Here was a masterpiece, beyond question, and it gave occasion for every loyalist to turn to the still-doubting holdouts and confidently say, "I told you so." Of course, virtually all of the Beatles' music up until this point was more than perfectly valid as an aesthetic/cultural expression of the highest order. Still, this was something different. The songs on Rubber Soul were more grown up, more refined and reached deeper into the heart of both what the lyrics expressed and the music implied. It was also their most beautiful-sounding record ever, with detailed textural nuances and subtle, yet exciting, arrangements. No group had ever sounded this good, this cohesive. Paul McCartney's extraordinary inventive, yet non-intrusive bass playing and Ringo Starr's tasteful, intelligent drum patterns laid a solid foundation for McCartney, John Lennon and George Harrison to weave their most exquisite and heart-felt tapestries of song craft yet. It's not as though this developed in a vacuum, however. The musical revolution that the Beatles had inaugurated had by now grown into a fertile, bubbling sea of creative activity. Most artists fell well short, but extraordinary efforts by the Rolling Stones, the Animals and the Kinks, for example - had kept plenty of pressure on the group to stay on top, or rather just ahead of the pack. The one artist that challenged them, however, for complete artistic domination was Bob Dylan. The Beatles had known about Dylan since 1963, but as great a songwriter as the young man was, he posed no real threat to the Beatles' firmly established position as the biggest act on the planet. That was simply because Dylan was a folk singer, and the Beatles were rock. But in the course of 1965, the cocky American genius casually plugged in an electric guitar, and on two increasingly powerhouse albums, completely rewrote all the rules. Next to electric Dylan, the Beatles suddenly seemed to some to look old fashioned, quaint - perhaps even a little silly. Ingeniously, and practically, the Beatles responded by pulling out the lyrical and attitudinal perspectives of Dylan's work just enough to apply it intelligently to their own unique style of music. The result - this album - was one of the great "fusions" in the history of music. The Beatles remained a pop/rock band - indeed, remained the Beatles - but with a new focus and clarity of vision that matured not only themselves, but their audience, literally overnight. If the Beatles weren't capable of doing out-doing Dylan, the music on Rubber Soul was something that even Dylan couldn't touch - heart-rending, perfectly pop-crafted art that revealed the inner sentiments of their creators directly in a way to which their audience could understand and feel. It was a mind-blowing combination of technical perfection and vulnerable honesty that kicked up the stakes in mid-sixties rock yet another notch. And god, it sounded beautiful. The same day that Rubber Soul came out, the Beatles also released a two-sided hit single. One can only imagine if the group had decided to jettison the two weakest songs on the album and replace them with "We Can Work It Out" and "Day Tripper," just how much MORE impact it would have had. How much perfection can one handle, anyway?

Christmas gift for grandson who specifically wanted this great Beatle album.

As a passionate vinyl collector and a dedicated fan of The Beatles, I was eagerly anticipating the re-release of "Rubber Soul" on vinyl. I'm delighted to report that this re-release lives up to the hype and is a must-have for any vinyl enthusiast. Here's why this vinyl re-release of "Rubber Soul" is worth adding to your collection: Pros: Sonic Brilliance: The timeless tracks of "Rubber Soul" have never sounded better. This vinyl edition captures the nuances of the original recording, delivering a warm and immersive listening experience that true vinyl aficionados crave. High-Quality Pressing: The attention to detail in this re-release is commendable. The vinyl pressing is of excellent quality, with minimal surface noise and a pristine sound that does justice to the album's legacy. Packaging and Presentation: The album's artwork and packaging are faithful to the original release, which adds to the nostalgic charm. It's a treat for fans who appreciate the historical context of vinyl records. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ In conclusion, the re-release of "Rubber Soul" on vinyl is a true delight for classic vinyl enthusiasts and Beatles fans alike. Its sonic brilliance, high-quality pressing, and thoughtful packaging make it a standout addition to any record collection. Whether you're reliving the magic of The Beatles or discovering their music for the first time, this vinyl edition of "Rubber Soul" is a must-have. It's not just an album; it's a piece of music history that continues to captivate listeners across generations. Don't miss the opportunity to experience this timeless classic in its full analog glory.

Nice and clear at a variable rate beauty.

One of my favorites from the Beatles!!!

Great sound - probably my favorite Beatles album. One point is that the last track - 'Run for your life' - is listed with an addional note that says there is a 'Rubber Soul mini-documentary (Insert into Computer To View)'. No signs of any such file - at least not on my iMac! The album cover has the Quicktime logo, which is, I suppose, an indication of some video file. Anyone else notice that?

Best Beatles CD ever!

Great album great band I think the greatest band they were the first Rock band

ビートルズの『Rubber Soul』が初めてCD化された1987年、私は高校3年生でした。当時、なけなしのバイト代を握りしめて『Help!』『Revolver』と共に、まとめ買いをした日の高揚感は今も忘れられません。 公式ベスト盤（赤盤）への収録数が6曲と最も多かったことから、購入した3枚の中で最も期待が大きかったのが本作でした。しかし、初めて針を落とした（ボタンを押した）瞬間の記憶は、実は「がっかり」したものでした。初期の疾走感溢れるロックンロールを求めていた当時の私には、ミディアムテンポやスローナンバーが並ぶ本作は、どこか物足りなく響いたのです。 その認識が変わったのは、初期の作品から順を追って聴き直した時でした。耳が肥えていくにつれ、「In My Life」や「Michelle」が持つ楽曲そのものの圧倒的な強さに気づかされ、いつしか本作は私にとって欠かせない愛聴盤の一枚となっていました。 最近、手に入れたアナログ盤に改めて針を落としてみました。シタールが異国情緒を運ぶ「Norwegian Wood（ノルウェーの森）」、シャンソンの薫り漂う「Michelle」、バロック風のピアノが胸を打つ「In My Life」。一曲一曲の完成度は凄まじく、まさにビートルズ黄金期を支える鉄壁の布陣だと再認識させられます。 個人的には、楽曲単体のエッジの鋭さでは次作『Revolver』に軍配が上がると思っています。しかし、リバプール・サウンドという枠を飛び出し、アルバムを「シングル曲と埋め合わせの詰め合わせ」ではなく「一つのトータルな作品」として再定義した本作のエポックメイキングな功績は、計り知れません。 アーティストが初めて「アルバムというキャンバス」に向き合った、その確かな手応え。30数年の時を経て、レコードの溝から響くその音は、今もなお瑞々しい変革の息吹を伝えてくれます。

Que decir de los Beatles, buen disco y una recomendación para aquellos que todavía no escuchan al mejor grupo de rock de todos los tiempos

tres bon titre de chansons

Boa mixagem, disco excelente.

L'album de transition de fin 65, influencé par Bob Dylan et le folk rock. On passe au stade supérieur avant les véritables chefs-d'oeuvre des "années studio". Ici la version anglaise pour compléter ma collection qui comprenait déjà les pressages mono et stereo français et le pressage américain (qui malgré ses 11 titres au lieu de 14 est un des meilleurs albums des BEATLES en version US). La sitar sur "Norwegian Wood" marquera durablement l'histoire du rock et John Lennon fait de l'introspection dans "In my life". Superbe album!