SGT. PEPPER'S LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND

Here it is: THE BEATLES ALBUM. This one knocked all of their other masterpeices on their ass and is that ever saying something!

For starters, let's talk about the sound quality. Being that this was recorded in 1966- 1967, it is a complete mystery how any band could put out an album with a sound quality even remotely close to that of Sgt. Pepper's. And no one did (except for possibly Frank Zappa.) And to make it that much better, they recorded it all on a four track. I had a four track and not once did anything I attempted to do sound even remotely as good as this album, and I like to think I'm a fairly good recorder.

Of course the main focus of the album is the songs, no matter how good it sounds. And boy, does this album have it's share of good songs! The album kicks off with Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, which is a classic song that has not lost a bit of its energy in 40 years. 10/10

With A Little Help From My Friends is a nice little cover song sung by Ringo of all people, but this is one song that he sings good. In the original concept idea, this was supposed to be Sgt. Pepper's band at a show, but the concept was later dropped. 7/10

Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds is without question one of the best songs on the record. The shifts from soft and psychadelic to the rocking sing-a-long choruses and back are wonderful. This song is a must listen! 10/10

Getting Better is more of your average Beatles song, with it's catchyness, but as on their earlier pop songs, and on this song, the harmonies are outstanding. That is what really set the Beatles songs apart from every other pop group. 8/10

Fixing A Hole is more of the same type, but it throws in some psychadelicness thanks to the band's drug use. Very singable. 8/10

She's Leaving Home is a nice break, but not their best work. This is a good song if your listening to the whole album, but if you listen to it by itself, you probably won't get into it. 6/10

Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite! is another highlight of the album. This is where the band really begins to get progressive, yet keeps the strong melody in a way that most progressive bands never would. It's the perfect mix of prog and pop. 10/10

Within You Without You is the only real lowpoint of the album. Very few albums are perfect, so give them a break! 4/10

When I'm Sixty-Four is The Beatles being The Beatles. The bounce in this song will most certainly have you bouncing. It is a classic. 9/10

Lovely Rita once again, is not the most progressive thing you will hear at all. That being said, the melodies on this track will not be topped by most music you will hear ever, progressive or not. 9/10

Good Morning Good Morning is more of the same, only better. This album becomes more and more consistent as it goes on. The sound effects in this song do not sound as if the beatles recorded it on a four track, but they did. 10/10

The Reprise of Sgt. Pepper is fine, a nice addition if you listen to the whole CD, but really it's just a segue...7/10

To what is quite possibly the greatest song of all time. I'm not kidding. A Day In The Life was a last minute addition to the record that is in the ranks of Bohemian Rhapsody, Supper's Ready and Stairway To Heaven. Words cannot describe the emotion of this song. And the climax! Oh what a climax!! 10/10

Buy this album. I promise you won't regret it.