Magical Mystery Tour: A playlist of influence…
Published on October 18th, 2012 | Jonny Abrams
The recent re-release of The Beatles’ Magical Mystery Tour film had Rocksucker going back to the album for a thousandth listen or so, and our desire to write about this glorious work without repeating what’s been said a million times already – dig the rampant exaggeration – led us to have a think about which of our favourite recordings from the last three decades remind us of a track from Magical Mystery Tour, and why. This is what we came up with…
“Magical Mystery Tour”
Supergrass – “Going Out”
Ecstatic acid harmonies; giddy psychedelia; revelling in the freedom opened up by its own grinning possibilities.
“The Fool on the Hill”
Gorky’s Zygotic Mynci – “Miss Trudy”
Wistful woodwind; playful character portrayal with a devastatingly melancholic core.
“Flying”
The Flaming Lips – “Approaching Pavonis Mons by Balloon”
Positively airborne; triumphant yet gentle trajectory; ever so warm and fluffy
“Blur Jay Way”
The Olivia Tremor Control – “Can You Come Down With Us?”
Claustrophobic psychedelia; ominously hushed vocal; a paranoid fog upon LA (or, in The Olivia Tremor Control’s case, Athens, Georgia).
“Your Mother Should Know”
The Divine Comedy – “A Woman of the World”
Slyly swinging would-be Gershwin number that weaves in and out of keys, throws in some campy backing vocals and occasionally clears the way for minor-key water-gazing.
“I Am the Walrus”
The Apples in Stereo – “Strawberryfire”
Slow, authoritatively clattering drums (okay, Ringo drums); detached, lysergic vocal delivery.
…or any song you’ve ever heard that has uses the cello psychedelically.
“Hello, Goodbye”
Blur – “Tracy Jacks”
Hits planes of easy-going rapture inaccessible to most bands; beautiful use of overlapping vocals parts; extended instrumental outro.
“Strawberry Fields Forever”
Gomez – “We Haven’t Turned Around (X-ray)”
Should be fairly obvious, this one.
“Penny Lane”
Pugwash – “It’s Nice to Be Nice”
Trotting, chiming piano chords; all-round air of the ridiculously in love with life; Thomas Walsh’s ever-so-McCartney-ish line “…and did you hear about so-and-so?”
“Baby You’re a Rich Man”
Cornershop – “Sleep on the Left Side”
Lightest and brightest of grooves; Indian influences assimilated seamlessly; dizzyingly high and funky with it.
“All You Need is Love”
Super Furry Animals – “For Now and Ever”
A vampish, ridiculously loved-up drunken sway; triumphant and final; as playfully embracing as can be.
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About the Author
Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.
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