Happy Belated 40th Anniversary, Sgt. Pepper.

This weekend was a jammed/packed one with friends of mine graduating from college & all of the usual craziness...like Deerhunter @ Whirlyball!!! (I'll be posting a review of that show tomorrow) Amid all the hustle and bustle, I totally spaced on my post for the 40th Anniversary of The Beatles' "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" which made it's mark on the world, June 2, 1967. Since Saturday, I've read/listened to quite a few peoples' comments on the album. Most touched on how innovative and groundbreaking it was, which I totally agree with. My opinion, which is different than that of someone who actually listened to the album when it first came out, is tainted by the slew of musicians who came after & were influenced by The Beatles and their groundbreaking album. So I won't give an opinion of the album per say, I'll just share my memory of truly listening to it for the first time. I first heard Sgt. Pepper's around 1981 (I was six), my dad thought it would be a good idea to school me in the ways of great rock music through vinyl copies of The Who, Led Zeppelin, 13th Floor Elevators, Can, Yes, Hendrix, and The Beatles. I didn't quite understand how amazing the music he was introducing to me was...at least at the time. It wasn't until after my "I only listen to metal/punk/death metal" phase (around 15) that I started to get back into some of my dad's LPs. One of the first records I put back on was Sgt. Pepper's, I distinctly remember listening to it with my headphones on for almost an entire day. I ditched hangin' out with my friends that day, and very loudly told my mom that "No, I don't want dinner right now, mom! Yes! I'm sure!". I couldn't help playing certain tracks over & over before moving on to the next one. The title track alone kept me lifting the phonograph needle for like an hour and a half! All culminating in what I can only describe as an epiphone/mini-breakdown during one of the many listenings of "A Day In The Life". I suddenly felt like there was so much I needed to be thinking about that I'd been neglecting, like if I died tomorrow the regrets would be countless. Of course I was 15 and everything seemed to be overwhelming and dramatic. But I can't help thinking that it was somewhere in that moment, that day I spent with this album, that my mind woke up and every thought since then has been built upon that foundation.

I recently did an animation for a series of short films based on this album, called "Return to Pepperland". I'm going to try and see if I have legal permission to post it here (it uses a cover of the title track). Hopefully I can, I'd love for everyone to see what it is I actually do (besides blog incessantly).

EDIT: Here ya' go!