The Beatles - With The Beatles

With The Beatles is the second studio album by British rock band The Beatles, originally released in November 1963 via Parlophone Records.

With The Beatles is a sequel of the highest order - one that betters the original by developing its own tone and adding depth. While it may share several similarities with its predecessor - there is an equal ratio of covers-to-originals, a familiar blend of girl group, Motown, R&B, pop, and rock, and a show tune - With The Beatles is a better record that not only rocks harder, it's considerably more sophisticated.

The Beatles could deliver rock & roll straight ("I Wanna Be Your Man") or twist it around with a little Latin lilt ("Little Child” one of their most underrated early rockers). Lennon and McCartney wrote sweet ballads (the achingly gorgeous "All I've Got To Do") and sprightly pop/rockers ("All My Loving") with equal aplomb; and the propulsive rockers ("It Won't Be Long") were as richly melodic as slower songs ("Not A Second Time").

Even George Harrison's first recorded song, "Don't Bother Me", is a standout, with its wonderfully foreboding minor-key melody. Since The Beatles covered so much ground with their originals, their covers pale slightly in comparison. But there are sublime moments, such as Lennon's soaring interpretation of "You Really Got A Hold On Me".

The heart of With The Beatles lies not in the covers, but the originals, where it was clear that, even at this early stage, The Beatles were rapidly maturing and changing, turning into expert craftsmen and musical innovators.

This remastered LP pressed in Europe was reissued in 2012 as part of The Beatles in Stereo Vinyl series, with Remastered Audio on 180 Gram Heavyweight Vinyl and reproduced artwork.