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I’m on kind of a Beatles kick after seeing Love in Las Vegas, so I think I’ll plow through all the Beatles albums and post some thoughts. Since the songs are so familiar to me, I’ll rate each from one to five stars, and generate an amusing “Best Beatles Songs” list.

My ratings may seem a bit harsh - but they’re relative to other Beatles songs - two or three star ratings appear often because the four and five star songs are so incredible.

I’m sad to say that I find this a rather weak Beatles album. The only items of note for me are a sour dejection in John’s songwriting, but a positive indication that he’ll be writing more autobiographical, introspective songs from here out. The Beatles were outgrowing their pop music roots. Some attribute these growing pains to weariness with touring and the pressures of Beatlemania. The result is the first tired, and almost boring Beatles album for me, with a few glimmers of the future in John’s writing but dragged down by several lackluster covers.

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= 5 stars

This was a new kind of Beatles song, unabashedly autobiographical and personal. Several songs on A Hard Day’s Night seem like warm-ups to this one. The Paul McCartney harmony vocal where he’s practically shouting (”I nearly died”) only add to the bittersweet feeling of loneliness and emptiness at the situation of rejection and infidelity (plus this particlar hook is similar to When I Get Home but put to much better effect, here). A great song, and the first demonstration that Lennon and McCartney would move past songs about girls, money, and being busy to something greater.

I’m A Loser

= 4 stars

Now John says he’s a loser, and the song convinces you. There’s a different emotion here when John sings alone. Unfortunately, the Can’t Buy Me Love chorus and guitar solo doesn’t sound loser-like at all. And I’m even sadder to report that this song, the album opener, and Eight Days A Week are the best of this album.

Baby’s In Black

= 3 stars

Other than the opening guitar lick, the only other thing to recommend this song are the John and Paul harmonies. The country twang I just never could get behind.

Rock And Roll Music

= 2 stars

John performs a cover that chugs along nicely, but now that we know these guys can write cool, original songs, who needs it?

I’ll Follow The Sun

= 4 stars

A nearly perfect acoustic guitar Paul McCartney song. I only deduct a star because there are better ones to come, and the guitar solo whimpers… if you can even call something so short and inconsequential a solo.

Mr. Moonlight

= 1 stars

I reserve a fair amount of annoyance for this song. There’s so much wrong with it, from the night club vibe to the cheesy organ, or the caveman-like drum before the title lyrics. I think the Beatles have outgrown the lounge act by now.

Kansas City/Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey

= 1 stars

Another half-baked cover, and as mentioned before, who needs it?

Eight Days A Week

= 5 stars

The fade in: genius, like a ray of sunshine. The soaring John melody (with a shiver-inducing Paul harmony), the hand claps, and the middle containing a precious pause below John and Paul’s voices. I find so much to like about this song that it comes across as too short. A great pop song like this - you want to hear again as soon as it’s over.

Words Of Love

= 4 stars

This is a Buddy Holly cover. Not much to say, so I won’t. But I do give it four stars because it is a different sound than the carbon-copy covers that have come before, and I’m feeling a bit guilty for doling out so few stars on this album.

Honey Don’t

= 2 stars

Ringo takes a nutball turn at a song that’s completely silly and has more in common with Don’t Pass Me By than should be realized.

Every Little Thing

= 3 stars

This is a decent song whose unusual harmonies during the chorus always caught my interest. I don’t care for the timpani and piano, though.

I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party

= 3 stars

Another country-ed up song. John’s dejection is heart-felt; I just don’t love it.

What You’re Doing

= 2 stars

I’m not a big fan of this one either, from the twangy guitars, the strange drum intro, and the “join in” vocals.

Everybody’s Trying To Be My Baby

= 3 stars

Here’s George, singing a song that’s not as great as his previous cover of Roll Over Beethoven, rending it rather pointless.

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