The Beatles released their sixth album in three years at the end of 1965 - a golden year for British and American music. Distilling the influence of the inspirational records of Bob Dylan and the soul singles released by Atlantic, Motown and Stax, they created an album of startling originality. Upon its release, their contemporaries were left trailing in the dust, wondering how The Beatles had done it.
Despite a pressing deadline, the group had set themselves the creative challenge of making an LP that was entirely self-composed. They succeeded with melodic songs that provide fascinating examples of the group's aspiration to write more ambitious words for their music. For example, the reflective lyric of "In My Life" conveys both sadness and hope. "I'm Looking Through You" and "You Won't See Me" have a darker atmosphere than earlier relationship songs. So does "Girl" with its beguiling central character. Musically, the heartbeat of the album is the combination of Ringo's inventive drumming and Paul's melodic bass playing - as demonstrated by the rhythmic pulse of "Drive My Car". On top of this foundation, the intricate harmonies sung by John, Paul and George are interwoven throughout the album. This vocal blend, heard on tracks such as "Nowhere Man," "Michelle" and "The Word," is one of the most distinctive qualities of 'Rubber Soul'.
Surrounded by all the madness that came with their fame, the studio served as a safe refuge and a space where their imaginations could run free. A month of sessions was scheduled in Abbey Road, allowing The Beatles to try out adventurous recording techniques and add exotic instrumentation, such as the use of a sitar on "Norwegian Wood (This Bird Has Flown)". "The sitar on it blew my mind!," Brian Wilson of The Beach Boys recalled. "I was so impressed with that album and that sound." He responded by working tirelessly on the innovative songs and arrangements devised for his group's next album, 'Pet Sounds'. 'Rubber Soul' has continued to inspire subsequent generations of musicians. As Dave Grohl recalled: "It was the one that everyone in Seattle listened to. I think it's why I got hired to be the drummer in Nirvana, because I said the word 'Beatles'!" 'Rubber Soul' is the pivotal album in The Beatles' catalogue. Where once there had been songs of innocence, now there were songs of experience. — Kevin Howlett
*Affichez les mêmes albums mais avec des versions ou des codes-barres différents.