ABBEY ROAD

Obviously such an iconic album, and influential to the future of music after the psychedelic 60s, as well as progressive rock. "Abbey Road" is perhaps The Beatles at their greatest in terms of songwriting, although perhaps tires a little throughout, with side 1 being the hits - making you overloaded with these pop rock songs, and side 2 a fantastically sequenced yet outstretched medley containing reprises from previous songs. While this album is packed with all of these 3-minute wonders, it feels a bit forceful and over-indulgent in certain places and not quite consistent in its sound, which to me was sort of patched up by repeated instruments (the fuzz guitar on "I Want You" and "Because"). The worst part of the whole album in my opinion is the clean guitar sound that doesn't fit a few songs. Anyway, that's practically all that's bad with "Abbey Road", so here's the good stuff!

"Come Together": a great blues rock opener, with some awesome little hooks and melodies. A bit of psychedelic flavour is chucked into the mix, and overall gives you a great impression on the rest of the album's signature sound. Leaves enough space for you to breath though, as it could be so easily overloaded with bluesy guitar licks. As I've said, I would have liked a little more grit in the guitar solo, but otherwise awesome and undoubtedly a classic. "Something" is so beautiful in so many ways. The lyrics are so dreamy and fitting coming out of a heavier song, with great instrumentation and chord progressions and a structure just adventurous enough to keep you interested but not take you out of that wispy trance. Some great keyboards/mellotrons in there too, giving it that proto-progressive vibe, plus the bridge which is often forgotten. Very consistent and possibly the best song on the album. A masterclass in pop rock ballads.

"Maxwell's Silver Hammer" is a classic plodding McCartney pop song, that strangely has a divide of people who love it and hate it. I kinda like it :P not as good as some of the stuff on Sgt. Pepper, and John's harmonies seem a little bitty to me, but still great. The lyrics tell quite a strange story for the mood of the melody and the chords behind it, making it all the more eerily charming like every good psychedelic pop song should be. Love Ringo's anvil in it though, and the guitars add a brilliant bite to it. "Oh Darling" is another favourite of mine, right up there with "Something", and begins on such a sumptuous augmented chord, and then rolls into a swinging compound time, showing the other side of Paul, and his interpretation on the blues. Probably at his best here, and improved with John's aah's behind him. Paul hits some incredible notes, and displays so much soul, it makes the whole thing irresistible and builds to such an indescribable climax. Another classic.

"Octopus's Garden" is Ringo's time to shine on here, and is very basic in terms of melodies and chords, so not quite up there with the other tracks. It displays more of a camaraderie feel, as it did with "Little Help From My Friends", but this isn't quite as overwhelming to say the least (probably as Ringo didn't write the latter). A lavish guitar intro (and outro), and overall very warming coming out of the heartbreak of "Oh Darling" and entering "I Want You". Some intriguing arpeggios here, and so desirable when the wall of sound dissipates, and the vocals and guitar sing in unison. So solid, and a great couple of chords (i.e. the E7b9). Not much more to say, but a brilliant blues number. Again, not quite up there with the other tracks, but still gets a 5-star rating. I do like the ending, but maybe like cut half a minute off, or put half a minute on. I always kind of get hesitant when playing along, and thinking it should have ending, then just getting back into the swing of things. Anyway, still great when listening to it :P

"Here Comes The Sun". Excellent start to Side 2, as things were just beginning to slip. Another great piece of songwriting by George, and I'm loving the 7th fret capo on the guitar (sorry for all you non-guitarists about going on about this). The lyrics aren't meaningful, and the chords aren't eccentric and fascinating, it's just an absorbing song that fills you with a true happiness that you have to find a little bit. Better than all these crappy modern "sunshine" songs. Anyway, some nice harmonies and time signatures all make this another exceptional song in the Beatles catalogue. "Because" is a bit too dreary coming out of this and doesn't really go anywhere. I always feel that you'd have to be on drugs to appreciate this song, and therefore isn't accessible enough, especially on a pop rock record. Not essential to the album in my opinion, and although there are some thought-provoking lyrics, chords, harmonies, and various musical devices, it doesn't strike a chord with me particularly.

"You Never Give Me Your Money" is so wonderfully narcissistic like lots of Beatles songs, and holds that sort of unexpected charm. So basic and played down, with Paul and the piano blending right together and creating a wholesome atmosphere. A great start to the medley as the final upbeat rock section (already reprising "Here Comes The Sun") slides into silence as the appearance of the "Sun King". Again a bit too psychedelic, and sounds like one of George's raga songs arranged for guitars instead of sitars and tables or something. Still enchanting and hypnotic when the harmonies kick in and stun the music. The French lyrics are a nice touch - no idea what they mean though... "Mean Mr. Mustard" is possibly the highlight of the medley. So simple and easy to enjoy, with some awesome random lyrics with great time signatures and then going straight into "Polythene Pam" with John taking over the vocals, and singing some funnier lyrics. Just heaven at this point, and so fast moving - not like "Because" at all.

"She Came In Through The Bathroom Window" segues straight out, and still keeps you gripped with some strangely jolly guitar chords and lyrics that tell quite a vivid story, and you still get those classic Beatles harmonies. The medley calms down here, and enters the soothing "Golden Slumbers", with "once there was a way" and such a lush orchestra backing from that repetitive piano section. Some reassuring, gentle lyrics interrupted by an overpowering middle section before retreating to the hopeful mood. "Carry That Weight" is too harsh coming out of this, but probably the best they could have done looking at the songs on there. Too dull and shouty with the orchestration behind and the plodding guitars behind. Doesn't fit, but the "You Never Give Me Your Money" reprise is pretty terrific. Like they've just remembered another problem in life. Still very celebratory though, and unfortunately stopped prematurely by that chorus again.

"The End" is such one of the best songs on the album, hidden away at the back. Also, a great way to fool people into missing "Her Majesty" after a few seconds of silence, but I'll get to that. "The End" is such a tremendous rock song, and so definite and mature. Love Ringo's drumming here too, plus the 3 guitars from Paul, John, and George, showing off their signature styles. It all seems to "come together" here, and you can't help but have a massive smile. The piano interruption is so perfect, and has some truly magnificent chord progressions to see it out. "Her Majesty" then adds a little icing in the top of the cake. Such a glorious few seconds more to bask in that acoustic dreaminess, and listen to Paul for just a little longer after the all too predictable symphonic ending. To me, it sounds like Led Zeppelin's "Hey Hey What Can I Do", which I feel they wrote along a similar story because it's almost too short and sweet. Anyway, a splendid hidden track (quite absurd they thought they could keep it that way with such an enormous fan base) and of course a fabulous conclusion to the album and the leaders of the 60s and its soundtrack just before the world of music grew out of the psychedelic culture.

A(+): Even with so many sales, it still remains underrated and a part of Britain's heritage, even a small piece of history.

Come Together: ***** Something: ***** Maxwell's Silver Hammer: ***** Oh! Darling: ***** Octopus's Garden: ***** I Want You (She's So Heavy): ***** Here Comes The Sun: ***** Because: **** You Never Give Me Your Money: **** Sun King: **** Mean Mr. Mustard: **** Polythene Pam: **** She Came In Through The Bathroom Window: **** Golden Slumbers: **** Carry That Weight: *** The End: ***** Her Majesty: *****