 The December 1965 release of the Beatles' "Rubber Soul" signified a watershed for the pop album, transforming it in scope from a collection of singles with lesser-quality tracks to a distinct art form, filled with high-quality original compositions.The album garnered recognition for the Beatles as artists from the American mainstream press, anticipating rock music's cultural legitimization as an art form.Writing in 1968, Gene Sculatti of "Jazz & Pop" recognized "Rubber Soul" as "the definitive 'rock as art' album" and "the necessary prototype" that major artists such as the Rolling Stones (with "Aftermath") and the Beach Boys had felt compelled to follow.