The Beatles - Abbey Road
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Free Music Notes for Abbey Road
Free Music Review: Individual Beatles' last hurrah.
Hit: 4 Stars
Big fans of The Beatles can automatically bump my fours stars up to five. As for the rest of us (I consider myself a 'Classic Rock Fan'), I'm going to approach this review by rating "Abbey Road" against the numerous past works of The Beatles. And, because I have lived through the entire era of Beatlemania, and bought each of their ablums as they emerged on the market, I have a good Woodstocker's handle on the 'then and now' perspective of this music and all their other yield as well.
Here we have 'the [1969] Good-bye album'. The Fab Four were pretty much sick of one another at this point (and can we blame them?) and at least three of the four (Paul, John, and George) were clearly all for going their own ways -- this album is a clear reflection of those aggregate paradigms.
The music on "Abbey Road" is quite good; however, as a complete work it's a sort of mix-match of incongruent compositions (both long and short songs), and varying styles. We get a taste of The Beatles from all three of their musical periods (but mostly from the final period) and it would have been nice had the final album been a reflection of 'fluid maturity tenoned with a culmination of brilliance'. But this is the real world and we have to take what we can get, or perhaps endure it.
I call this one 'the last [The] Beatles album' but, to be technically correct, "Abbey Road" was the last album commenced by The Beatles prior to their disbandment. It's way far from being their best work (if you want that, grab "Revolver," "Sgt. Pepper," "Magical Mystery Tour," and "The Beatles" [The White Album], the first from the tail-end of their 'early period' and the latter three from their psychedelic 'middle period').... but "Abbey Road" is nice, very nice.
On "Abbey Road" each of The Beatles hazarded 'a stab' at composition and at singing leads, even Ringo with his "Octopus's Garden." The top cuts are clearly "Come Together" (Lennon) and "Something" (Harrison). THE Beatle, Paul McCartney, contributed a mediocre "Oh! Darling!" and could not seem to emerge from his middle-period mindset. In fact, "Abbey Road" might well represent The Beatles step-child composer, George Harrison's, Magnum opus because his gum-drop rock "Here Comes the Sun" also received a LOT of radio play when this album first hit the streets and I still hear it occasionally on classic rock stations.
And, of course, the album's cover conveys one of the huge 'Paul Is Dead' trivia entries, all the way from Paul's bare feet to the cigarette in his right hand to the license plate on the Volkswagon Beetle. There are more (supposed) clues but such minutia are mostly of interest to only the more rabid, drooling Beatlemaniacs. By the way, if you acquire the CD you'll need a really good magnifying glass to check all this out! *.*
I should note for the record that by early Fall, 1969 when "Abbey Road" was released, not only were The Beatles sick of one another, but hippies in general were sick of one another too. This was two summers beyond the so-called 'Summer of Love' [1967] and the euphoria of those great days was quickly wearing off. The enthisiasm for certain types of rock music was changing quickly and radically and I really believe that The Beatles had pretty much drunk their well dry anyway.
So to summarize, as art, this album/CD has its notable flaws. As music of The Beatles, not even the most casual fan could hardly pass this one by (no pun intended).
Free Music Review: Groovy then and still groovy now
Hit: 5 Stars
I used to listen to Abbey Road Free Music Review: genius work
Hit: 5 Stars
aw, this is the first cd i got into by the beatles. needless to say this really changed my life.
this whole cd is genius. the songs all relate with each other in some way or another, and they all flow into each other, and it's just amazing. one of my favorite cds of all time.
please get your hands on this album immediately if you haven't already heard it
Free Music Review: A Classic
Hit: 5 Stars
This CD is great. It's a classic. If this is not in your collection, it's a Must Buy. Free Music Review: Abbey Road on Vinyl - the way it was intended
Hit: 5 Stars
Numerous other reviews indicated that the second side of this record was one of the best pieces of recorded music in Rock history. I agree. The medley which smoothly transitions from one song to the next, including reprise themes throughout, demonstrates the band's writing and arrangement ability.
All four members have a vocal solo on the first side of the record, and the various song styles present a dynamic musical contribution to Rock music.
Listening to the record, fine little details are more audible than on the CD edition of this album. The large artwork and the effort required to maintain the vinyl provide a more personal experience with the music for the listener. I find it more likely to listen to an album on vinyl in its entirety than I would if it were in a digital format, where shuffling and other "features" obscure the original artist's presentation.