ABBEY ROAD

In my opinion, probably the best Beatles album ever made, with the possible exception of Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, close tie there! It is an absolute masterpiece as far as The Beatles go, and there is not a hint of the lingering annoying pop songs that usually accompany their best songs on albums. No, only good songs here (still pop, but good), and not just good, but great wonderful songs that stick in your head for years.

The album was supposed to be a return to the olden days of Beatles greatness, without the arguments that accompanied the album productions before it. It is tightly prepared, and it shows. The two sides of the album represent the two tastes of John Lennon and Paul McCartney. Side one appeals to Lennon, and it is a collection of short, catchy and wonderful songs. Side two for McCartney consists of songs making one long ballad, all in all, the two album halves are very different.

"Come Together" provides a good starting point to get the album rolling, it is fast-paced, up beat and one of those songs that just makes you want to have a good time. A misunderstood hippie (weren't they all) provides good backdrop to set up an interesting song that will have you humming along despite yourself.

"Something" is the silly romanticist pop side of The Beatles-or so you think, but the song has good music to it as well. The distinctive guitar is very entertaining. Though it tends to air on the dramatic side, this song is great in its own right. And besides, sometimes dramatic romantic songs are just what one needs!

"Maxwell's Silver Hammer" is perhaps the most catchy, happy song about murder you will ever run across. It goes right up there with Roundabout on my list of songs that just make me pleasantly happy. This is the song that, at least for me, got stuck in my head for weeks the moment I heard it. A fun lighthearted track that almost comically hides the dark lyrics, thus making them not dark at all.

"Octopus's Garden" was written by Ringo Starr. Not by any stretch the best song on the album, but a well-done little song with amazing backup vocals. Same goes for the next track: "I Want You (She's So Heavy)", good, not the best, but takes away absolutely nothing from the album by bring there, so it is a good addition to add more of The Beatles wonderful music to be enjoyed.

"Here Comes the Sun" is one amazing song The Beatles did, it has great guitar, drums, and especially vocals, up-beat and happy, the keyboard in it keeps it from becoming repetitive, and it becomes one of the best additions to the album.

The next part of the album form a clear McCartney-like epic. Starting with "Because", it ends eight songs later with the appropriately named track "The End". An epic to be remembered as one The Beatles crowning achievements, and rounds of this album at a comfortable five stars.

The last track is "Her Majesty" is only 28 seconds long, but a surprisingly good 28 seconds, not that it really matters much, but it is probably the best 28 second song in the universe, in my opinion. As soon as I find another one to compete with it, I'll tell you.

The Beatles really showed there best in this album, making it their best work, and one of the best and most influential works rock history has ever seen.