Features
Friday, October 12 2012
Reconsidering the Beatles at Their Psych Height with ‘Magical Mystery Tour’
Even with all of the incredibly strong material which continued to stretch out what was possible with pop music, the U.S. version of Magical Mystery Tour is never really given the love it deserves. The album represents not just the height of their psych phase but also the end of it.
Tuesday, February 28 2012
Bill Frisell on John Lennon: Talking About 'All We Are Saying'
The unique jazz guitarist talks about All We Are Saying -- his recent cover album of 16 John Lennon tunes -- as well as how the Beatles changed his life, and how back in the day, owning an instrument meant you were automatically in a band.
Friday, October 28 2011
The Beatles in Hamburg: The Stories, the Scene and How It All Began
When the Beatles went to Hamburg in 1960, in the company of gangsters and prostitutes they changed their sound, wore black leather, lost their bass player, sacked their drummer, developed a vast repertoire of raucous rock ’n’ roll songs, and fashioned a new hairstyle.
Wednesday, November 24 2010
There's No Heaven: The Death of John Lennon
The murder of John Lennon was more than just the end of the Beatles. It was the end of a specific segment of pop culture.
Wednesday, November 24 2010
We All Shine On: A Tribute to John Lennon
PopMatters presents our eight-day tribute to the revolutionary, the pop smart avant-garde idealist who let his art and his actions do all of the talking (even when he had lots to say personally).
Columns
Monday, October 17 2011
Old Country Comfort: How the British Might Save American Music (Again)
The British saved rock 'n' roll, reignited the blues, and may just make country music more American.
Wednesday, July 14 2010
Fooled by Skepticism
Skepticism has been fueling pop culture for decades. Just ask John Lennon or Pete Townshend. Lately it’s just been fooling pop culture about science.
Wednesday, October 27 2004
Now He's 64: A Late Lennon Landmark
Sixty-four-year-olds aren't what they used to be, and if John Lennon were still alive, he would probably not be living the quaint parlour scene played out in McCartney's ditty.
Reviews
Monday, November 12 2012
Epistles of John: 'The John Lennon Letters'
"Containing only the work of JW Lennon, with additional work by JW Lennon and a helping hand from JW Lennon, not forgetting JW Lennon. Who is this JW Lennon?" -- from one of John Lennon's childhood documents.
Wednesday, November 7 2012
'Magical Mystery Tour' Is Not as Bad as Everyone Says
Magical Mystery Tour is an occasionally awesome mess full of odds and sods and in some regards an appropriate artistic hangover from the Summer of Love.
Tuesday, July 3 2012
Animation Never Said It Wanted a Revolution, but It Got One With the Beatles 'Yellow Submarine'
When it debuted, Yellow Submarine wonderfully captured the essence of the Beatles while revitalizing feature animation in the process. Thanks to its long-awaited release on Blu-ray, every one of us now has all we need.
Monday, June 11 2012
'Revolver': An Admirable Look at Beatles' Evolution
Robert Rodriquez's book is well-written, well-researched, and presented to us by an author with a sense of authority that makes you eager to read -- and listen to -- what he has to say.
Friday, April 20 2012
Who Breaks a Butterfly on the Wheel? 'Richard Hamilton: Swingeing London 67(f)'
Freedom contrasts with detention. Those who celebrate celebrity as part of the sex and drugs culture must be captured. As the decade intensifies, the dream of liberation meets its waking moment.
Blogs
Wednesday, June 12 2013
The Top Eight Songs About Other Famous People
You're so vain but this song is about you.
Monday, February 25 2013
Celebrating George Harrison’s Birthday With His Biggest Solo Hits
On what would have been his 70th birthday, let's take a look at his seven biggest hits.
Monday, December 3 2012
CONTEST: The Beatles Remastered Vinyl Prize Pack
Enter to win the Beatles' remastered stereo vinyl Help!, Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band and A Hard Days Night.
Tuesday, October 9 2012
John Lennon’s Biggest Solo Hits in the US
In celebration of what would have been his 72nd birthday, we take a look at the Lennon singles that American audiences sent up the charts.
Friday, August 10 2012
Counterbalance No. 93: John Lennon's 'Imagine'
I hope someday you’ll join us for a discussion of John Lennon’s 1971 opus—it’s the 93rd most acclaimed album of all time. And the world will live as one.
News
Friday, January 11 2013
‘Love Me Do’ Now in the Public Domain, But the Law Is About to Change
PHILADELPHIA — You’re going to hear sooner or later, and feel rather old when you do: The Beatles’ first single, “Love Me Do,” is now…
Thursday, November 15 2012
For the Beatles, a Long and Winding Road Back to Vinyl
LOS ANGELES — The prime directive in returning the Beatles’ album catalog to vinyl is ridiculously simple. Sean Magee, the Abbey Road recording studio engineer…
Thursday, July 26 2012
New Beatles collection out on iTunes
LOS ANGELES — A new compilation of 14 of the Beatles’ most musically, socially or politically influential songs was released Tuesday as a digital iTunes…
Monday, July 9 2012
Ringo Starr still wants to give peace a chance
ATLANTA — Ringo Starr’s hands must be cramping by now. No, not because of the drumming. The former Beatle, who’s bringing his All Starr Band…
Friday, June 22 2012
Relaunching ‘Yellow Submarine’: Beatles-inspired classic out in restored version
MIAMI — When the Beatles-inspired “Yellow Submarine” was released in 1968, its promoters linked it to classic myths and landmark tales of fantastic voyages such…
