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Four scousers who changed the world (© Cat's/Corbis KIPA)

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How does Revolver sound on the new mono and stereo? Unlike Rubber Soul, it's something of a mixed bag. Taxman has much more punch in mono, and the stark hard-panned separation of rhythm section left and vocals right on the stereo disc makes us wish that the stereo image had been given the same treatment that revitalised Drive My Car.

Eleanor Rigby is another case in point. 1999's Yellow Submarine Songtrack album featured a beautifully-remixed and remastered stereo version of the song that saw Paul's lead vocal moved into the centre of the stereo picture, positioning it perfectly within the string octet and backing harmonies.

Here, they've reverted to the 1966 stereo mix. This means that you can hear the ADT drop out clumsily in the middle of the first 'Eleanor' as the lead vocal moves into the right channel alone, then re-centre during the word 'all' in "all the lonely people". It's far from seamless, and frankly infuriating on headphones.

Of course, anyone contemplating purchasing either or both of these box sets is likely to own the superior Yellow Submarine Songtrack version already. We just don't understand why the decision has been made to revert to an inferior stereo document here; surely the object of these box sets should have been to compile all of the best possible mixes in one place and leave fans with the last word?

"In some cases, better stereo mixes exist elsewhere already, and in others, the mono versions simply have more impact."

Yellow Submarine (the song) also suffers on the new stereo Revolver disc: a better stereo remix was released a decade ago.

That said, it's far from being all bad. This is still Revolver we're talking about here after all. Predictably, on the new stereo disc, Tomorrow Never Knows is majestic.

The verdict

Should you buy The Beatles In Mono, and The Beatles Box Set: Remastered In Stereo? If you are a completist, absolutely. Just don't expect the stereo box to be the last word. In some cases, better stereo mixes exist elsewhere already, and in others, the mono versions simply have more impact.

Compiling that definitive Beatles iPod playlist has just become even more complicated than it was before… and until such a time as you can purchase the mono albums outside of the box set, whether digitally or on CD, it will remain an expensive exercise.

Read part two here. From Sgt. Pepper to their bitter break-up, we put the rest of The Beatles' newly-remastered catalogue under the microscope.

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