Amazon.com essential recording: The Beatles' last days as a band were as productive as any major pop phenomenon that was about to split. After recording the ragged-but-right Let It Be, the group held on for this ambitious effort, an album that was to become their best-selling. Though all four contribute to the first side's writing, John Lennon's hard-rocking, "Come Together" and "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" make the strongest impression. A series of song fragments edited together in suite form dominates side two; its portentous, touching, official close ("Golden Slumbers"/"Carry That Weight"/"The End") is nicely undercut, in typical Beatles fashion, by Paul McCartney's cheeky "Her Majesty," which follows. --Rickey Wright
Can't Look Away... So I was just idly surfing Amazon, reading reviews and whatnot when I decided to search the Beatles' catalogue. Abbey Road is the first you get when you punch the group's name in. The reviews, naturally this being the most popular band ever, were mostly positive. Positive reviews tend to bore me, so I decided to look at the negative (1 star) reviews instead, just for a laugh. But the thing is I've always been a bit insecure about my love of the Beatles. There is always a voice in me questioning "what if it is all hype? What if there's really nothing spectacular about them and you're just following along with the rock critics and fans?". Some of the 1 star reviews brought these feelings back as I tried to recollect what this album sounded like. It really didn't seem spectacular at all. The songwriting seemed superficial and the instrumentation seemed mediocre. Logic forbade me to continue to praise them. So then I put the boys to the test and grabbed this album and gave it a listen (I'm listening to it now actually), and all I can say is, well, I like it. Alot. There is a certain charm in the melodies and lyrics, often times playful but somehow epic, even meaningful in an insane way. The Beatles inhabit a pop music dreamland on this album. Everything sounds perfectly placed, all the parts nuanced. It always sounds oh so cheesy when I think of it afterwards, but when I've got a Beatles album on, I am inside it and I am happy. A cheerful trance of sorts. I'm sure once this album is over and a few days have passed I will again wonder why I let the Beatles fill space in my CD collection. I may even regret writing this review, or this 5 star rating, then I'll listen to them again.
Finally So it occured to me one day that I didn't own a single Beatles CD. Can you even believe it? Arguably the best band in all of rock and roll and not even a greatest hits on my shelf.
Since I'm a tad obsessive when it comes to stuff, I decided I didn't want any run of the mill Best Of, but instead wanted to go through and buy the albums from these boys the way they were originally sent out, so I decided I'd start with the albums that were what many considered to be innovative and the ones I knew I always wanted but never got.
Now my first impulse was to buy "the white album" but upon closer inspection I realized I wanted Revolver and Abbey Road first. And this week we have been playing this little gem on and off. I
I knew this was one of the last Beatles albums but what I didn't know is that it WAS the last Beatles album ever recorded, Let It Be was released after this but it had already been recorded by the time the boys headed into Abbey Road. I knew I wanted this album the minute I realized "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" was on here as for some reason that is my ultimate favorite Beatles song, I know I'm very strange.
But also on this 1969 masterpeice is "Come Together", "Octopus' Garden", and "Something" to name but a few of the familiar tunes.
A sort darker than the way the Beatles bounced into the world only a mere 5 years before, the reason this band is so important and influential is the fact that those 5 years saw these boys doing what no one had ever done before, coming up with insane and strange mixes to add to the guitar pop they brought to life.
From one direction to another these four boys are remarkable and every single piece of genius is evident on Abbey Road. The songs are more experimental than most of what you hear even today yet they are familiar and long lasting. I sing along with every single song, I feel every single emotion and believe me when you hear me running around screaming "I Want You" you know it's absolutely stunning!
There are probably more important Beatles albums and perhaps more entertaining albums in the catalog but since this is my very first Beatles ever (a hundred and one years later) I think it will remain a favorite for years and years.
greatness achieved the best band that ever recorded on this planet has achieved musical genius on Abbey Road. there will never be a better band!!!!!
GREAT GREAT GREAT!!!!!!!!!!!! What a great lp It tops most of there lps . What a swan song for the Boys, Just if they stayed together for a few more years wow.
Fantastic An incredible work of music. Simply a masterpiece, and in my opinion has to be the best rocknroll/pop album of all time.
and if you'd like a laugh, read the the 1-star reviews.
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