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12.23pm
26 March 2012
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Into the Sky with Diamonds said
I agree except for one thing: this album does not to feature any of their great harmonies.
I was just about to vehemently disagree with you, but then I glanced over the White Album again and realised that you are quite correct. I guess the gradual dissipation of studio teamwork, as well as the stark duality between hard-rockin' numbers and solo acoustic numbers, put blissful pop harmonies aside for 1968. There are a couple of exceptions though: what about the absolutely spot-on doo-wop parody harmonies in the last section of Happiness is a Warm Gun? The epic blasts of harmony in the background of Helter Skelter? Or the surfin' Wilson brothers homage in the bridge of Back in the USSR?
The great harmonies disappeared after Rubber Soul.
Hmm, they became subtler possibly, but again there are exceptions. Gotta love the complex bloom of voices at the beginning of Paperback Writer (like a book opening), the shimmering Eastern harmonies in the chorus of Rain, the "TAXMAAAAN" cries that mirror the Batman theme tune of the time, the gorgeously understated dreamy backing "oohs" in Here, There and Everywhere and I'm Only Sleeping, the entirety of And Your Bird Can Sing, the lush "it's wonderful to be here" welcomes of the band to contrast with Paul's yelling compere in Sgt Pepper's, "see how they ruu-un" in Lady Madonna, and I don't even know where to begin with all the lovely harmonies on Abbey Road (although Because, as you pointed out, would be an obvious start).
12.55pm
9 May 2012
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In top 3 for sure, actually for me it is my 2nd favorite album in tie with Revolver.
1. Rubber Soul
2. White Album/Revolver 
4.45pm
29 November 2012
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Ben Ramon said
Into the Sky with Diamonds said
I agree except for one thing: this album does not to feature any of their great harmonies.
I was just about to vehemently disagree with you, but then I glanced over the White Album again and realised that you are quite correct. I guess the gradual dissipation of studio teamwork, as well as the stark duality between hard-rockin' numbers and solo acoustic numbers, put blissful pop harmonies aside for 1968. There are a couple of exceptions though: what about the absolutely spot-on doo-wop parody harmonies in the last section of Happiness is a Warm Gun? The epic blasts of harmony in the background of Helter Skelter? Or the surfin' Wilson brothers homage in the bridge of Back in the USSR?
The great harmonies disappeared after Rubber Soul.
Hmm, they became subtler possibly, but again there are exceptions. Gotta love the complex bloom of voices at the beginning of Paperback Writer (like a book opening), the shimmering Eastern harmonies in the chorus of Rain, the "TAXMAAAAN" cries that mirror the Batman theme tune of the time, the gorgeously understated dreamy backing "oohs" in Here, There and Everywhere and I'm Only Sleeping, the entirety of And Your Bird Can Sing, the lush "it's wonderful to be here" welcomes of the band to contrast with Paul's yelling compere in Sgt Pepper's, "see how they ruu-un" in Lady Madonna, and I don't even know where to begin with all the lovely harmonies on Abbey Road (although Because, as you pointed out, would be an obvious start).
I do have to mention one of my favorites on The White Album (and overall Beatles songs), Dear Prudence. Some great harmonies on there.
8.32pm
12 November 2012
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I love how the white album shows all four members spreading out in different directions. it's sad because it's a reason why they broke up, but it's also good because the songs are great. There are harmonies on the album, but not many. When the Beatles were a tight group, many of the songs had harmony vocals. On the White Album and Let it Be, there are much less, maybe because of the tension.
4.57am
10 August 2011
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The Beatles could have harmonized in their sleep (and sounded great). And sure, any time they sang together they would harmonize.
But their best harmonies took work; they were crafted.
In "If I Fell" Lennon and McCartney are singing two different melodies throughout.
After Rubber Soul/Revolver, they seemed to no longer be interested in expending their time in such a fashion. (I consider "Paperback Writer" to be part of the Rubber Soul/Revolver period).
Ben Ramon said, "the "TAXMAAAAN" cries that mirror the Batman theme tune."
Love it. Can't believe I never made that connection considering I was a fan of both.
11.07pm
6 December 2012
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Into the Sky with Diamonds said "The great harmonies disappeared after Rubber Soul."
I mostly agree (and there sure were some great harmonies on that album, just listen to Nowhere Man), but there were some really good ones after Rubber Soul, although I guess they weren't as frequent and "We're all such great friends"-sounding, if that makes any sense. Still, what about Because? IMO those harmonies are as good as the ones in Nowhere Man.
Btw I love the Batman reference. 
Do you want to know a secret? Read my username backwards. ~ ~ ~ - - - . . . - - - ~ ~ ~ Also known as Egg-Rock, Egg-Roll, E-George, Eggy...
☮ & <3
1.17am
10 August 2011
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Egroeg said, "What about Because?"
Absolutely! See my post on page 4.
3.06am
14 December 2012
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I was actually JUST listening to it! As I type, I am listening to Help! though. Definitely my favorite.
12.37am
17 December 2012
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I love the white album more than any other commercially available thing in the world, and will even listen to Paul's "fruity" songs when they come on (ho ho!).
First heard the mono mix only a couple of years ago and was ecstatic – a 2nd version of the best thing ever!
The best bit on it, I find, is the approx. 9 minutes beginning side 2 (Martha My Dear to Piggies) – not necessarily because of the songs themselves (which are all lovely), but because it's so audacious to sequence them like that.
My favourite side as a whole is probably 3, even though I used to be frightened of of Helter Skelter.
8.10pm
11 February 2013
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Yes! I love the white album, It is definitely in my top three. It includes some of my favourite songs and some of the most underated songs I think such as mother natures song, while my guitar gently weeps and I will. It is a very varied album and I always really enjoy listening to it!
3.37am
14 January 2013
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Yes, I love it. Its within my top 5 and it was the first album I listen to all the way through (I received the albums out of order).
Ben Ramon said
the "TAXMAAAAN" cries that mirror the Batman theme tune of the time
My spouse pointed this out to me a while ago. I never made the connection before that. Was it coincidence or intentional? 
9.11am
27 December 2012
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I love every Beatle album released in the UK except Yellow Submarine.
"When I was a robber *Piano Chord* in Boston Place"
"Let's hope this turns out pretty darn good huh"
"Pete may be the best, but Ringo is the star"
Paul:"Don't be nervous John"
John:"I 'm not"
5.03am
8 November 2012
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An artist who really loves the White Album:
Rutherford Chang – We Buy White Albums
Q: Tell me about your current exhibition “We Buy White Albums”.
A: My collection of White Albums is on display at Recess, a storefront art space in SoHo. It’s set up like a record store with the albums arranged in bins by serial number, and visitors are invited to browse and listen to the records. Except, rather than sell the albums, I am buying more. I currently have 693 copies.
More at the source.
parlance
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