Was the Magical Mystery Tour Really Magical?
Debating the Psychedelic Rock aspect of the Beatles album, The Magical Mystery Tour.
Today's spin is brought to you by, The Beatles.
Let us discuss this album for a moment, shall we? This album is touted as being psychedelic rock and the changing point of their sound.
1. Full disclosure, as a kid I thought it had some trippy sounds but after today's spin I am not so sure.
I've listened to my fair share of psychedelic rock and psychedelic acid rock to know a little bit (just enough to get in trouble, like I'm probably doing now). This album doesn't really have that same psychedelic feel as say the 13th Floor Elevators or Ultimate Spinach.
2. To me this album is manufactured pop music. Sure it has moments that may pass as psychedelic rock, but for the most part is isn't.
Granted, I absolutely love this album so that's not up for debate but the validity of calling it psychedelic rock is up for debate.
Just my thoughts. What are yours?
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The Beatles - Magical Mystery Tour
Capitol Records, 1967, Los Angeles Pressing
Hi Joe. I like ballsy statements like this one. In my opinion, one of the reasons why this record is so highly regarded is not so much as exhibit A of psychedelic rock (because, I agree with you, it’s not), but rather, because it brought some psychedelic elements to the mainstream. My two cents!
Regardless of what we (or anyone) call it, the album was a product of its time, and that alone makes it momentous. I think Paul and John (however calculatingly "market-aiming" they may have been) were anxious to flex their songwriting (and arranging) muscles with all these new sounds and influences floating around, "Pet Sounds" chief among them (as you so rightly remind us, Joe)!
So, "psychedelic/schmychedelic".....it's the album we got from the most prodigious artists of the time, and the mirror they held up to the world (from December '66 thru April '67) with all its cultural, humanitarian, and pop cultural angst. Magical? Maybe not, but certainly momentous!