If you’ve known me for any extended amount of time, then you know that my all time favorite band is The Beatles. One of my blogging goals for 2015 is to have a regular feature and because I’m completely random, I will be featuring a Beatles album monthly. This is exciting because it gives me a chance to relisten to these albums again. I’m not exactly reviewing it (as I am not a music reviewer) but instead enjoying it as a fan.

Honestly this is probably the weakest of all of the Beatles albums. While there are some stellar contributions on here, some of the songs seem like the band is putting in as little effort as possible. The cover songs chosen seem fluffy and to be honest quite forgetful. It sort of feels like the studio and their manager wanted them to continue to cash in on their popularity (hence the title) and a lot of the songs on here seems like they were chosen as filler material. To be honest, I personally did not realize this album existed until much later in my liking of the band. It’s kind of a forgettable album as there are no lead singles coming off of it.

One song of note is John’s “I’m a Loser” because it’s more autobiographical and not just a silly love song. It’s quite emo. I use that phrase a lot but really there’s no other way to describe this song. “Eight Days a Week” is such a great sing along song. I heard Paul sing it in concert two years ago and it’s just the perfect song to get everyone in a good mood.

• No Reply (Lennon/McCartney) – Lead Singer – John w/Paul
• I’m a Loser (Lennon/McCartney) – Lead Singer – John w/Paul
• Baby’s in Black (Lennon/McCartney) – Lead Singer – Paul/John
• Rock and Roll Music (Berry) – Lead Singer – John
• I’ll Follow the Sun (Lennon/McCartney) – Lead Singer – Paul
• Mr. Moonlight (Johnson) – Lead Singer – John
• Kansas City/ Hey-Hey-Hey-Hey! (Leiber and Stoller/Penniman) – Lead Singer – Paul
• Eight Days a Week (Lennon/McCartney) – Lead Singer – John
• Words of Love (Holly) – Lead Singer – John/Paul
• Honey Don’t (Perkins) – Lead Singer – Ringo
• Every Little Thing (Lennon/McCartney) – Lead Singer – John/Paul
• I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party (Lennon/McCartney) – Lead Singer – John/Paul
• What You’re Doing (Lennon/McCartney) – Lead Singer – Paul
• Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby – (Perkins) – Lead Singer – George

Standout Songs: Eight Days a Week, I’m a Loser

Personal Favorites: What You’re Doing, I’ll Follow the Sun

Least Memorable: I Don’t Want to Spoil the Party, Everybody’s Trying to Be My Baby, Words of Love, Honey Don’t

While I totally love “I’ll Follow the Sun” because it says exactly how I feel when I realize I need to move on from someone, I also really enjoy “What You’re Doing”. The beat is very much on point and the song as a whole feels quite simple. But the lyrics are words I’ve thought or said to and about people so it’s almost as if they wrote that song based on my experiences alone.

I’d also like to mention the cover. The out of focused shot and the non smiling faces make them look less like teen pop idols and more towards the direction of the deep thinking rockers. Granted I can’t say the same thing for a lot of the songs on the album but what’s good on here is very good.

Next month: Help!