A New Direction (1965)

As upcoming bands during the mid-1960s such as the Rolling Stones, the Yardbirds, and the Zombies were swiftly releasing new music, the Beatles continued to top charts with their new releases. In 1965, the Beatles released their fifth studio album titled Help! While I am personally not a fan of the Beatles, I do not mind this album. Help! features two singles ("Help!" and "Ticket to Ride") along with the most covered song ever written, "Yesterday", written by Paul McCartney. The album features fourteen different songs; most of them with a folk-rock sound. Along with twelve songs being original material, the two remaining songs are covers.

While listening to the album, I immediately noticed the increased use of keyboards and acoustic guitar throughout various songs such as "You Like Me Too Much" and "Another Girl." Personally, I enjoy the transition towards a more folk-rock kind of sound rather than the typical upbeat Beatle pop song. Despite the direction forward with a new sound, two or three of the songs on the album reflect the Beatles past, including "Help!" and to conclude the album with a bang, "Dizzy Miss Lizzy." One of my favorite songs off the album with the folk-rock sound has to be "I've Just Seen A Face." The song begins with a ominous finger-picked lick on an acoustic guitar, and then transitions into a faster, western-style song with an upbeat tempo. Accompanying the song is a constant acoustic strum by Lennon and later on a solo.

The album begins with the song classic single "Help!"and transitions into the newer style of songs the band wrote. According to John Lennon years later, he apparently altered the song from a "piano-driven ballad" to an upbeat kind of song due to "commercial pressures." I wonder if the song would have still received its popular attention if it were a ballad.

In addition to "Help!", two songs on the album "I Need You" and "You Like Me Too Much" feature the quiet Beatle on lead vocals—George Harrison. Usually just strumming the guitar and occasionally providing background vocals, I think that Harrison did very well on those two songs! Until I researched the album online, I never realized that George was lead vocals on those songs.

Overall, like their previous and future albums, the LP would skyrocket to the number one spot on various charts in multiple countries—including the United States. I do believe that the album deserved the spot as it was a new transition for the Beatles in their music. While most of the songs were written in a folk-rock style, select few had the "old-Beatle sound." All of the songs on the album serve a purpose in the composition of the album, and I do not think any were included as fillers. As for one who does not usually listen to the Beatles, I would recommend this album to anyone who enjoys the folk-rock style of music, or anyone who wants to appreciate classic hits!

Fun Fact: The original title of the film and song "Help!" was intended to be called "Eight Arms to Hold You."

The Beatles in Obertauern, Austria filming scenes for "Help!"