BEATLES WEEK: "Abbey" Rules

WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BEATLES ALBUM?

Unfair question? Probably. Is there, in fact, a Beatles album for every occasion (Revolver for long, dark nights of the soul, the "White Album" for a one-night stand)? Probably. But screw it. Sgt. Pepper's just celebrated its 40th anniversary, and lots of people were proclaiming it as the Fab's masterpiece. Ask me tomorrow, and maybe I'd agree.

But today, I'm all about Abbey Road. I don't really have any highfalutin' reasons. And it's not like I'm going out on a limb; it's Abbey Road fer crissakes. Rubber Soul and Revolver are far cooler answers.

Basically, it boils down to the fact that my two favorite Beatles songs are on Abbey Road: Something and Here Comes the Sun. I never get tired of hearing them, and they're Reason No. 1 & 2 why George Harrison is also my favorite Beatle. (But we won't play THAT game -- that one's even sillier.) There's also a heightened sense of drama on Abbey Road, which was basically their "goodbye" album (or at least goodbye to each other).

So let's hear it, use whatever criteria you like: WHAT'S YOUR FAVORITE BEATLES ALBUM?

Comments

[bassnote]

I'm going with one of the 'far cooler' answers, "Rubber Soul". My main reasons are the songs, Nowhere Man, In My Life, Norwegian Wood and The Word.

[sparky]

Actually as I type this I have my Ipod plugged into the ol' computer and am giving my co-workers a dose of Revolver since I ripped it onto the portable player last night. Got to Get You Into My Life is a treat tucked into the end of the Album.

Magical Mystery Tour isn't bad either.

Honestly was there a project of Lennon/McCartnet with a dose of George and a sprinkle of Ringo that wasn't good.

[Sherrie]

I've said that "Revolver" was my favorite Beatles album since I was in middle school, but when I really sit down and think about it, the only ones that I still play on my iPod are "Abbey Road" and "The Beatles Second Album". I listen to "2nd album" mainly for the covers ("Long Tall Sally", "Roll Over Beethoven"), so I guess as far as original albums go I have to go with Abbey Road too. I love the quirkier songs on Abbey Road- Maxwell's Silver Hammer, Polythene Pam, Golden Slumbers, You Never Give Me Your Money. Good stuff. (And I gotta say, I've found that you gotta wonder about anyone who's favorite Beatle is George...what's up with that? It's like saying your favorite Monkee is Peter, for goodness sake!)
Sherrie

[Uncle Crappy]

Abbey Road is a close second to Sgt. Pepper. It still holds up well, even in a time when many of its contemporaries don't, and it was influential enough that it convinced the Stones to try their hand at psychedelia ... which was a horrible mistake on the part of Mick and Keith...

[KMcG]

The B side medley of Abbey Road always sends me. The easy buildup from Sun King to Mean Mr. Mustard, then the roller coaster free-falls into Polythene Pam. Hear it? Deern, deern, deern ...

Then the thrilling climb higher and higher , whoa, we're off the tracks, we're flying.

The dueling guitar and drums at the end. Might be the greatest section of rock n' roll ever.

[Sean Daly]

As I was listening to a Beatles barrage this morning, the "LOVE" version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" popped onto my iPod. Jesus, is that a devastating version or what? Especially the very beginning, when it's just George's voice and the acoustic guitar. "I look at you all, see the love there that's sleeping..." Chilling.

[Uncle Crappy]

Does Love count as part of the pantheon? I'd be tempted to include it -- it's beautifully done, and goodies like that version of "While My Guitar Gently Weeps" are priceless.

[Marie-Elaine]

Revolver has always been my favourite Beatles' album, long before I knew it was "cool". I fell in love with it back in high-school, having discovered it while browsing through my dad's cassette tapes. A lot of the songs I connected with on a really personal level. Especially I'm Only Sleeping which became the unofficial anthem of my sophomore year.

I do think we all could do without 'Yellow Submarine' though. Ugh.

[Mongo]

And in the end...it's really all about the music, isn't it. The Beatles peaked when they put all of their collective talent and experience together on Abbey Road. That record, sans Come Together, is the single greatest piece of music ever recorded and set the standard for everything that was and is rock. Never get tired of listening to it and will take it to my grave because musically, it's all you need.

[Laura Reiley]

What I found weird this week was the New Yorker article in which I discovered the world knew about this whole "medley" side-two thing of Abbey Road and I didn't. Does this just mean that the songs are contiguous and blendy? Also, it's nice/embarrassing to know that McCartney thinks of this assemblage of songs as something verging on holy. Don’t know what I’d do besides slit my wrists if I ever felt convinced I’d come so close to the divine in my work.

[Devin]

Mine is "Exile on Main Street".....oh wait, that's a band that actually rocks.

[dreaming]

i like beatles 65 the best. 'no reply' is a great song, as is 'i feel fine' and 'shes a woman.'

[Christopher Ave]

Sean, although I wrote a big package on Pepper (which you can find at http://www.sptimes.com/2007/webspecials07/special_reports/sgt-pepper/ ) I agree with you. Abbey Road, to me, is their most complete album. The longing and regret evident in You Never Give Me Your Money, Golden Slumber and Something is.... something! And it's also poetic somehow, that the guys put their differences aside ONE MORE time to do one final farewell. An incredible album.