First off I need to mention that this review is based upon a mistake. I listened to the whole album in stereo on earphones which only work in one ear, the right. I only realised this was a mistake halfway through the LP. Rather than go back and change my notes or listen to the mono version I decided to stick with what I had because it gave some interesting insights.
Drive My Car – A perfect opener. I always liked this track; it’s a perfect pop song with added interesting bits. It wasn’t until I listened to it this time around that I noticed the little gem of a guitar solo. With one earphone it really stands out. One earphone also emphasises the bouncy piano and makes the cowbell really noticeable.
Norwegian Wood – I love the melody, its one I can never remember so it’s always a surprise when I hear it. George’s sitar is special. When listening with only one working earphone all I hear is the guitar so the song turns into a simple acoustic tune without the edge of the sitar.
You Won't See Me – This is a favourite. The bass here is great and the song is pretty much perfect. With one earphone the stereo version shows just how much detail is in the vocals.
Nowhere Man – The guitar has a lovely tone to it and the vocals are lovely too.
Think For Yourself – Again I love the guitar, its unusual here and it sets this track apart from the songs that have come before it. Perhaps is shows that George’s sound isn’t necessarily John and Paul’s sound.
The Word – With one earphone the underlying bass is really emphasised giving the song a nice groove.
Michelle – A nice bit of tempo-variation for the album. Listening in stereo and not hearing the bass or backing vocals gives the track a bit of a country feel.
What Goes On – On one earphone Ringo’s vocals seem unnoticeable, in fact its John’s voice in the backing vocals that stands out. Hearing the song this way really lets George’s Carl Perkins-influenced guitar shine through. A nice country-sounding tune.
Girl – Reminds me very much of ‘Michelle’, but that’s no bad thing. It gives this side of the LP a break from all the up tempo pop.
I'm Looking Through You – One of my favourites. Another pop number.
In My Life - My mum’s favourite and possibly mine too. It’s at least my favourite slow Beatles song and has an impossibly lovely melody. I always believed John had written all the words, at least that’s what I read and this track seems to be his masterpiece. Other Beatles tracks may have bigger ideas or more technical detail but this has majesty and heart. The harpsichord solo is inspired and always surprises me. It doesn’t overstay its welcome and listening through only the right earphone cuts out the drums leaving the harpsichord solo. This would have been a good song to end the album with.
Wait - Another of those songs that you forget how it goes until you hear it. The percussion is just right. Great tambourine.
If I Needed Someone – The vocals are produced just right. Listening in stereo on one earphone emphasises the harmonies and the guitar tone. The guitar is tasteful, not overpowering and adds just the right amount of colour.
Run For Your Life – One earphone singles out the guitar here and again George’s Carl Perkins influence colours the song. A good rhythm.
Hearing the album in an usual way has been a real eye-opener. In future I think I’ll listen to all Beatles albums if not in mono then with either the left or right earphone only.
What an enjoyable, uplifting album Rubber Soul is! I never realised. It’s one of those albums everyone knows the songs from but most people haven’t heard in the right order. I never knew there was so much piano on the record either. Just the right album to take on the joy of Jeff’s return to the live stage.
If I’ve learnt anything from Rubber Soul it’s that a lot more detail goes into Beatles records than I first thought, especially the vocals, and that George’s guitar is often inspired and always tasteful.