The Beatles – Revolver

My copy has no dirt, no clicks or pops, it sounds clear and have an outstanding soundstage.
So I think for the price it os a great buy, if you do not have this one on one of the early presses

https://www.powmagazine.org/powmagazine/r-evolve-r-beatles-release-special-edition-the-pow-magazine-review/

January 1, 2023. Cleveland, Ohio. During Darwin’s second voyage aboard the HMS Beagle, the young biologist observed Chiasognathus grantii, a Chilian stag Beetle, for which was later given its casual name, Darwin Beetle. This Beetle, marked by its immense mandibles, provided further evidence of natural selection, thus changing the direction of science forever. Giles Martin is not Charles Darwin; however, the lesser Martin has provided Darwinian evidence of psych rock’s evolution, the 1966 fab four masterwork, Revolver. Rock music has never been the same.

With heavy doses of psychedelia, chamber-pop, and hindustani sensibilities, Revolver employs the full capabilities of four individual artists and the endless possibilities of Abbey Road Studio’s modern multi-track facility. Under the capable direction of producer and the senior Martin, Revolver pushes the edge of western pop melody towards the Beatles’ bigger-than-Jesus trajectory. In 1966, sound and culture were rapidly changing, and Revolver remains the score.

Revolver pushes the edge of western pop melody towards the Beatles’ bigger-than-Jesus trajectory.

Dub this remix of Revolver, the “Giles Beatle”. This smartly cellophaned Revolver: Special Edition remains loyal to its 1966 stereo mix: Newly wrapped, hardly distinguishable, yet deeply enjoyable. Give your $30 bucks to wax-man, and you are off, Yellow Submarine included.

The track list is the same. Side one begins with the cryptic, dueling Beatle count-in: “1 – 2 – 3 – 4 / 1 – 2 – 3…”. Then its Paul’s signature Taxman bassline. “Taxman” remains a raucous, Batman-themed rocker, part Tory battle cry. Humming economic/political commentary be damned, “Taxman” is an aisle-crossing ripper.

Next is the somber Ms. Rigby. Prominently featuring the George Martin double string arrangement, “Eleanor Rigby” eschews contemporary pop structure for baroque lyrical lamentation. McCartney’s fictitious, yet vivid Liverpudian snapshots give way to postwar modernism. A sock darning minister give sermons unheard. A faceless rice collector lives in vague, lonely dreams. Rigby is a masterpiece of simplicity, and we are only on song two!

True that Lennon, Macca, Harrison, and Starkey were not unfamiliar with speedy stimulants (Dr. Robert) and London’s loudest weed (Rubber Soul: The Beatles’ reefer album), but acid propelled the Fab Four into musical possibilities unheard and unseen prior to Revolver. Dig Revolver’s hidden paen to love and LSD: “Love You To”. George Harrison, writer, guitarist, sitarist, Beatle, and human, expands our collective notions of pop. “Love You To” is the intersection of top 40 and deep metaphysics. Here Harrison piques Eastern philosophy into a micro-dose, three minute, Western consumable. Surely, Harrison writes with more than his bride, Pattie Boyd, on his expanded mind: “Make love all day long/ Make love singing songs”. “Love You To” is miles beyond the Cavern Club salad days.

With Revolver, the lads saved their best for last. “Tomorrow Never Knows” is the song that continues to define the Beatles’ divergence from pop superstars into transcendent art rock immortals. While Lennon invites you to “Turn off your mind, relax, and float downstream”, Revolver‘s closing psych anthem is well beyond the tantric flow of lysergic sodden lyrics. “Tomorrow Never Knows” is the culminating studio perfection of swirling effects, droning tambura, choral layers, and buzzing guitars. Still, Ringo is the star on this performance. Sir Richard Starkey’s driving, motorik rhythm makes the Beatles engine hum into transcendent aural paradise.

Harrison piques Eastern philosophy into a micro-dose, three minute, Western consumable.

Has revolver evolved? Is it possible to perfect perfection? Does the 180-gram re-issue reveal the “meaning of within”? I don’t think so. That is, unless the meaning of the Giles Martin edition of Revolver is a Beatlemania cash grab. Do you need an excuse to buy a new, high-quality copy of the Beatles’ penultimate record? I don’t think so. Dig Revolver: Special Edition for the fun of a parlor room, hi-fi drag race: 1966 versus 2022. Either way, I want to tell you, this bird — the Giles Beetle — can sing!

The lack of quality control at GZ Media makes this pressing virtually unplayable. Clicks, pops, dirt. Same old, same old. How can anyone allow a Beatles album to be pressed by a sloppy company like GZ Media? It's obvious they're an artless bunch who are only and solely in it for profit.

Rega P6 + Goldring 1022GX

There is NO IDG on this lp. Yes I know others say there is but there’s not. Please take it from someone who’s mixed No1 hit LPs and singles and has a true reference system. What there is is some serious flaws in the pressing. This is my second, not as bad as my first, but still going back. It’s important for the greatest LP of all time. For the record I have the 2009 box the MoFi box and original UK stereo and monos. I prefer my OGs. Just more air and excitement IMHO .

I got my third copy after two faulty editions. It is MUCH better sound wise. More air and beefier bottom. So in the interests of being fair this LP has the propensity to be superb if you get the right copy.

I really didn’t think much of the reviews until I actually listened to She Said She Said. The distortion is awful, and the sound quality drops quickly from Yellow Submarine to She Said. Everything else sounds fine though.

I disagree with previous commenters, who wrote about inner groove distortion etc. Surface noise: well, I give a deep vacuum cleaning to every new records, so on my copy there is no noise, no pops, clicks. It is not only necessary to wash used discs, but also a brand new one. Problem solved.
Well: I think it is a very good, very pleasent remastering and pressing. It is the best stereo mix and pressing? No. It is a very fine digital remaster. Thats all & don't expect more. This release is the result of decent work, I enjoy listening to it. Worth the money.

Sounding good. Just good for digital. I have a original 1966 UK - nothing compares.

Giles actually managed to remaster something half decent for once; unfortunately they used the worst pressing plant in the world. Horrible inner groove distortion on the last two tracks of side one.

Pretty crummy Inner grove distortion starting near the end of "Yellow Submarine" and all the way through "She Said",

Here, There and Everywhere sounds fantastic and in my opinion it's the best mixed song on this record. These mixes are the definitive way to listen IMO.

Great mix, but I honestly don't know whether it's worth rolling the dice for a decent pressing when you can grab the CD or FLACs.
Avoid GZ Media as much as possible!

The best stereo mix I have heard of this album. The 2009 remaster is horrible and the vintage presses are better than the 2009 one, but the stereo mix was never that great (instrument on one side and vocals on the other side - felt quite unbalanced).

The bass on this sounds artificially boosted which takes away Paul’s natural bass tone and loudness of it affects the overall dynamic range. The mid range is good and the highs are clear and rich. Soundstage is superb!

My main complaint is how dirty this record is even after multiple wet cleaning.

I believe the mono press of this album is the best way to experience it. Until I get one, I am happy to have this in my collection.

Edit: Since I wrote this review, I had a chance to hear the 2014 Mono release. I played it with my stereo cartridge so not a fair assessment.

I prefer this remix much more. While the mono release just has a tad bit more of analog punch and the instruments are a bit more defined (no bass boost!), the soundstage is not as wide as this release and some of the details are buried in the mix. I find this release to have a more balanced sound. This could very much be due to my preference for stereo over mono.