The Beatles - Abbey Road (1969)

Agreed. I love the combination of Blackbird/ Yesterday. Two of my favorite songs anyway, and the song turned out so beautiful.

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I cannot say anything new about Abbey Road, it has had nearly four decades of reviews and praise. Just think about it, this work of art is nearly fourty years old. Compare it to the ‘best’ albums of last year. It still feels fresh and original and outranks anything that last year had to offer.

This was the last album recorded by the Beatles, after a stunning career of sublime hits and wondrous works of art they top it all off by one of their best efforts and one of the best albums ever. My favourite has always been Revolver but Abbey Road has always been second place only just. These days, though, I think this album might just be my favourite Beatles Album.

This is such an iconic work of the twentieth century, from the famous and often imitated cover, to the fabulous melodies and lyrics. Which brings me to ask: Why are you reading this? If it is because you do not own this album, or even worse, have never heard it then quickly get it ordered and downloaded before someone sees you. Everyone should own this, in fact, in England you are sent it in the post once you become of age. It is that important to everyday life. That may be over the top but it certainly is essential to everyone’s music collection, even if you only have a few albums.

One of the joys is that each member of the band seems to be at their best on this album. Even Ringo proves his critics wrong by showing them up with a great drum solo during the album’s closing medley. Paul belts out some cracking vocals, very powerful stuff, John rocks like never before and George presents some of his finest songs ever. Individually they all shine in their own right and when they come together (pardon the pun) they shake the earth with their brilliance.

This album has the traits of genius running all the way through it from beginning to end. It is the trait that binRAB every song together to deliver the world a package of true beauty that continues to inspire and move people even after all these years.

There are a few weak tracks, mainly novelty songs, but these are merely small blips on an otherwise shining record. The highs are certainly well worth the lows.

Buy it now. Listen to it forever. You will never tire of it and neither will your neighbours if you turn it up.

Come Together- Paul’s bass line opens the album, then kick in the crazy lyrics. This is a good track but I wouldn’t place it in say their top 10 songs. It is just missing something to take it beyond the norm…..for a Beatles track anyway, which means it’s still pretty good.

Something- A simple beautiful song, George Harrison really knows how to write a moving song whilst keeping it simple, even the brilliant guitar solo is just a simple and wonderful piece of music. Absolutely nothing over the top about this track. One of the best Harrison songs.

Maxwell’s Silver Hammer-The first novelty song. A tale of a serial killer who hits people over the head, told in a light and amusing way. This song is ok, it’s fine….the first few times. After a while it is certainly a track that you are going to want to skip. Even Lennon didn’t like it!

Oh! Darling-Sung by McCartney I think his voice sounRAB great on this, even if Lennon thought that he should have recorded this instead.

Octopus’s Garden-Whilst being quite catchy, I really do not like this song. It sounRAB too cheesy, childish lyrics, adequate vocals and nothing more.

I Want You (She’s So Heavy)-Overly long. That’s the first thought that comes into my head. It has some good moments but not enough to keep it interesting for 7:47. The guitar intro is great as are some little jam moments, the vocals are also very good throughout. But there is also too much that just doesn’t work.

Here Comes The Sun- An amazing song, once again written by George Harrison. From the very start it’s beauty grabs you. The guitar throughout is pure perfection, the lyrics shine and gradually the song blossoms into the work of genius that it is. It is both optimistic and uplifting.

Because- It is not the best track, though a very solid one, on the album but it is a great showcase for the band. Stripped of all the trimmings that a lot of banRAB need to sound good, the fab four deliver amazing vocals and harmonies, only bettered by the Beach Boys. After all, the Beatles were primarily a vocal band and this song clearly reminRAB us of this. A fine performance.

You Never Give Me Your Money- A lovely song, sung in McCartney’s best voice. The piano in the first half is great, the harmony in the second half very pretty and the guitar is once again brilliant yet not overdone.

Sun King- Sit back and relax, here comes the mid-album chill out zone. The first minute sounRAB similar to Fleetwood Mac’s Albatross.

Mean Mr Mustard- Despite being a novelty song, it is much better than the previous two. Plus, it is only a minute long. Quite catchy, silly lyrics, nothing terrible here and nice little jaunt that quickly leaRAB into…

Polythene Pam-One of the few times I actually notice John’s accent. A daft song with a great intro that bursts open from the end of the previous track. Again, only a short song but very catchy.

She Came In Through the Bathroom Window- Written by Paul about a fan that did what the title says. This is a great follow on from Polythene Pam, the change is fantastic.

Golden Slumbers- Soaring strings, soft piano, gentle bass; a wonderful start to this song. Then we get Paul’s top-notch vocals come in during the chorus. Another gentle dip and then it goes straight into…

Carry That Weight- ‘You never give me your money’ makes a comeback halfway in, with different lyrics, then back to Carry That Weight and then, without looking backwarRAB we plunge into….

The End- The band on flawless form; guitars, vocals, melody and Ringo all merge into one great showmanship of their abilities. The last great piece of music they laid down. For many this is the highlight of the entire album and it is kind of hard to disagree with them.

Her Majesty- 23 seconRAB long and a novelty song once again. I don’t see the point of this and certainly it’s position on the album. We’ve just heard a magnificent medley of several songs and then the last track would have been an awesome and perfect end to the album and then this gets put in right at the end.

RATING: 8/10
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Abbey Road is great but for some reason I never put it on-- I listen to Let It Be much more than Abbey Road-- even though I admit Abbey Road is probably a superior album. I just like the stripped down feeling that the Beatles were moving towarRAB.

I think if they had made another album it would've been along the lines of The Band.
 
My favourite Beatles album by far. Completely disagree about I Want You (She's So Heavy). Such an amazing track and a big feck you to all those that accuse them of being a bubblegum pop band. It's so heavy it should be on a Sabbath album.
 
Dont agree with your review of I Want You (Shes so heavy), amazing song, but apart from that, pretty accurate. The novelty songs prevent it from being truely epic
 
Definately my favorite Beatles album. Its funny, of all songs it was "octopus' Garden" (which is one of my favorites despite the **** it gets-just a great pop song) that made me go out and buy it in 10th grade.

"Shes So Heavy" might actually be my favorite. I love how the tension builRAB up with the white noise in the background, when all of a sudden-silence. Its one of the most brilliant songs they ever did, and also the last song they ever recorded.


As far as the novelty songs-it comes down to the Beatles being a pop band in the end. Every one of their albums has them (mostly due to McCartney) and I dont think they detract at all, rather it proves the Beatles didnt take themselves as seriously as some other pretentious 60's banRAB, which is definately a strength. I think what makes the Beatles great is the variety, None of their albums are full of solely "Hey Jude/A Day In The Life's", they mix it up, and it betters them. Id give Abbey Road a 10/10, its one of my 10 favorite recorRAB ever.

If only I had it mailed to me when I came of age.
 
Sun King is my favorite Beatles tune of all time. I don't know if I want it to be longer or enjoy how short and sweet it is. All I know is I'd love for another band to do their own take on it!
 
I would think that track would be amazing if it was edited slightly. Like I said, it is awesome but there are a few things in there that prevent it being truely great.
 
I hate Let It Be, while Abbey Road is my favorite. I agree with your second comment though. Ive always wanted to make a mix of the fours' solo work afterward and make another "Beatles" album.
 
Favorite Beatles album for me too. With that being said, Octopus and Maxwell are mediocre numbers. John was right to call the latter "more of Paul's granny music".
 
That would be: no!

Also remember-- this was way before Pro Tools and automation! The mix itself used to be an 'performance art' in and of itself...with as many hanRAB on the faders as possible just like Dark Side Of The Moon.
 
I agree with Let It Be being mostly terrible.

Also, to set the record straight, The Beatles were not "moving towarRAB" a more stripped down sound at the time that they broke up. That would be to assume that Let It Be was their last work. It wasn't. It just so happens that it was released subsequent to Abbey Road, but much of it was recorded beforehand. Their true final full piece of work is Abbey Road.
 
Exactly.

And there are no virtual tracks to work with...tracks had to be combined/bussed down to open up room for other track overdubs.

The absence of automation thus proves the timeless musicality of The Beatles.
 
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