MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

A masterclass in songwriting and texture, full of concise psychedelic tunes with fantastic pop hooks and beautiful production that brings to the front an unmistakable atmosphere; an intelligent use of effects and a forward-thinking approach to exploring new grounds with an overall daringly experimental vision, 'Magical Mystery Tour' has to be among The Beatles' underappreciated masterworks. This is also the band's only soundtrack album, as some of the songs were featured on a 1967 film of the same name, which was more or less in the same vein as the album (or is it the other way around?) - very psychedelic and lighthearted. Interestingly enough, 'Magical Mystery Tour' was released as a double EP in the UK and as an LP in the States, which gives grounds for speculation that this is not a proper studio release (a notion that, of course, is sheer bollocks). Notwithstanding, the album release was supported by five singles that ideally make up half of the record!

Often referred to as art pop, psychedelic pop, psychedelic rock, and even pop rock, the album really has a bit of everything, continuing the band's musical experiments inspired by their preceding successes. There is a great attention to detail, texture, and an underlying vibrance to the music. In this regard, the whole album is packed with classics: 'The Fool on the Hill' is definitely one of the more accessible tunes by the band, with lead vocals by McCartney. Then we get the psychedelic instrumental 'Flying', the first really odd track the album, also the first to be credited to all four members (it gets bonus points for the Mellotron). 'Blue Jay Way' is a fantastic psychedelic classic, an immensely influential song by itself; 'I Am the Walrus' is a wacky ride through Lennon's mind and one of the all-time bests by the Beatles. Moving on to side two we get the aforementioned five singles that represent the pure genius of the Lennon-McCartney duo, depicting the full spectrum of their visionary songwriting, leaving the listener in awe. With this in mind, 'Magical Mystery Tour' can be seen as a great musical achievement for the Beatles.