by Jayne Clarkson

Created on: June 18, 2009   Last Updated: November 20, 2009

The Beatles albumn, "Yellow Submarine" was released in January 1969, a year after the animated film of the same name was released . Not a critical darling at the time , this soundtrack album , was considered a mish mash of previously released songs and orchestral instrumentals . The Beatles themselves , pretty much disregarded the album , focusing more on their preceding release "The Beatles".

So what does the "Yellow Submarine " have to offer the music enthusiast? As a soundtrack album, the musical range is entirely different from a more conventional Beatles release. There are instrumentals alongside acknowledged classics and as such at times, the collection of music can seem rather disjointed. However,there are many highlights .

Side one is composed ,entirely of Beatles material, yet it does have a rather haphazard and repetitive feel. The opening song , the title track , "Yellow Submarine ", had already premiered on the 1966," Revolver". The context of the track on the soundtrack album is , of course entirely different from that on the innovative "Revolver". Then, it had provided Ringo with a novelty lead vocal . A chirpy escape from the otherwise groundbreaking songs that comprised "Revolver".

On "Yellow Submarine", however, we revisit the song as an old friend. It has become ,with the jangling opening chords, the centrepiece of the film. It does suit this position . Over the years ,it has become loved sentimentally by many ,as much for it's frailties as it's triumphs. Ringo is not a very tuneful singer but he is well loved , and the comedy and warmth of his delivery shines through.

George Harrison's , "Only a northern song", provides a glimpse of psychedelia from the whirling organ chords , to the opening line;

" If you're listening to this song ,you may think the chords are going wrong".

The cheeky humour mocks the listener all the way through. It seems quite an strange mixture, taking into account the manic brass notes in the background. Yet this apparently disingenuous combination, reveals how musically effective The Beatles were . Revolutionary music combined with the ability to laugh at itself and you.

Track number three , the shouty , comedic " All Together now", is a radical departure from the track before it . Featuring as the final song of the film, to be placed so early in the soundtrack album seems strange. Almost like a latter day nursery rhyme, the fact that it has been placed in the middle of side one amongst stronger offerings, seems to

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