"Revolver" is the seventh studio album by the Beatles, released on August 5, 1966. This album, which followed a three-month break for the band, marked their final recording project before retiring from live performances and saw their most extensive use of studio technology up to that point. It is considered one of the greatest and most innovative albums in popular music history, noted for its range of styles, diverse sounds, and lyrical depth.
The album was recorded during a period of significant cultural change in London and is often seen as the start of the Beatles' psychedelic era. It reflects their interest in LSD, Eastern philosophy, and avant-garde techniques, addressing themes such as death and spiritual transcendence. Notable tracks include "Tomorrow Never Knows," which features Indian drone and tape loops; "Eleanor Rigby," with its string octet; and "Love You To," incorporating Hindustani classical music.
In the UK, Revolver was released with 14 tracks, while in North America, Capitol Records issued a version with only 11 tracks, omitting three that appeared on the June 1966 LP Yesterday and Today. The album topped charts in both the UK and US, though it faced some controversy in the US due to John Lennon's remarks about the band being "more popular than Jesus."
Revolver is credited with expanding the boundaries of pop music, revolutionizing studio recording practices, and inspiring genres like psychedelic rock, electronica, and progressive rock. The album's cover, designed by Klaus Voormann, won the Grammy Award for Best Album Cover, Graphic Arts. It has been highly acclaimed in numerous rankings, including being listed as the best Beatles album by some critics. It was certified double platinum by the BPI and 5× platinum by the RIAA. A remixed and expanded edition was released in 2022.
