ABBEY ROAD

Upon their final studio album (although not the last to be released), The Beatles bow out on top; "Abbey Road" is a brilliant ride showcasing a band (who were largely at odds with each other at the time) at a total creative peak. Well, 1965-1970 was one large creative peak, but consider this the peak of the peak.

"Abbey Road" is stylistically diverse, like we'd come to expect. There's anthematic hard rock ("Come Together"), silly children's songs ("Octopuses Garden"), old timey soul ("Oh Darling", possibly Paul's best vocal ever), lighthearted pop ("Maxwell's Silver Hammer", which is so bouncy and fun you won't notice how dark the lyrics are!), druggy dirges ("I Want You (She's So Heavy)"), and more.

"You Never Give Me Your Money" is a mini-suite ala "Happiness Is a Warm Gun", but it's Paul, so it's not nearly as dark. Helluva tune, though. As is "Because", a glorious juxtaposition between a dark, minor key melody and heart wrenchingly beautiful vocal harmonies. George Harrison also pens two of his best songs: "Here Comes the Sun" is, appropriately, an uplifting, sunny pop song. And "Something" is only the greatest love ballad ever.

Side 2 meshes all these song fragments (unfinished ideas, likely) into one amazing song cycle. "Sun King" is gorgeous; it floats admidst the rich, lush harmonies. "Mean Mr. Mustard" is a catchy rocker; "Polythene Pam" is part surf-rock, part punk (punk? in 1969?). "She Came In Through the Bathroom Window" is a soulful rocker, followed by the brief but magnificent piano ballad "Golden Slumbers". What a gorgeous song. "The End" is, well the end. It's fun, upbeat, it has a cool drum solo.