Like any good red-blooded young American Beatle fan, my studio album collection consists of the British versions of the band’s long-players. I didn’t get to Meet The Beatles like my pop. I was With The Beatles, though.
The wacky tracklists included in the recently reissued American versions is all well and good for nostalgia, but for the completist or the younger fan, you can’t go wrong with the original British LPs and the ultimate singles collections, Past Masters 1 and 2.
Which brings me to Beatles For Sale, the mop-tops’ fourth studio effort and the last of the early Beatles sound. It really has no American equivalent other than Beatles ’65, an American mess of Hard Day’s Night tracks, singles, and a couple cuts from Beatles For Sale.
One of the most fun 14-song, 35-minute records of the Beatles early career, For Sale finds its way through a handful of covers that give nods to Carl Perkins and Chuck Berry, among others.
The originals, as usual, are outstanding. Opener “No Reply” still gets me with its catchy rythym and vintage vocal reverb. Lennon continues to shine on “I’m A Loser,” another personal fave.
For a non-album era album, it’s sure got a lot of pop. For Sale is whole lotta fun with cuts like “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party” and “Eight Days A Week.” “Baby’s In Black” and “I’ll Follow The Sun” are the band’s first and last crack at Orbison-style lament, with lovely results. Though overall it is not nearly as adventurous as Revolver or even Rubber Soul, For Sale offers a glimpse of the band in their Sullivan Show-accommodating prime.
Simple lyrics. Great chord changes. Pop genius. In 35 minute or less or your money back. The Beatles can keep the $40.
