MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR

A masterclass in tight songwriting and presentation of concise psychedelic tunes with fantastic pop hooks; beautiful production that brings to front an atmosphere that is unmistakable; intelligent use of effects and a forward-thinking approach to exploring new grounds; daringly experimental in scope, and more than majestic upon experience - or put more briefly, 'Magical Mystery Tour' has to be The Beatles' unspoken and slightly underappreciated masterpiece.

It should not come as a surprise that this album might seem neglected sometimes, when discussing the best by the most famous pop band in the world, given the fact that it is preceded and followed by two absolutely legendary milestone albums - 'Sgt. Pepper' and the self-tilted ninth studio album.

'Magical Mystery Tour' 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, the album was released as a double EP in the UK and as an LP in the States, which gives ground for beliefs by some people that this cannot be considered a proper studio release. Also, it was supported by five singles that ideally makes up half of the record!

Different tags have been assigned to this record throughout the years, like art pop, psychedelic pop, psychedelic rock, even pop rock. Truth is, it really has a bit of everything, continuing the experimental and futuristic, I dare to call it, sound of the albums that came before it, like the aforementioned 'Sgt. Pepper' or the astonishing 'Revolver'. There is a great attention to detail, texture, and even vibrance; Moreover, the band explored new technologies and took the most out of the studio equipment that was at their disposal, using effects and tape loops to paint the songs with an extra coating, in a way.

I will refer to the LP track list when referring to the different songs, and starting with side one, we get the film soundtrack - six tracks and nineteen minutes in change, beginning with the march-like title track - it is a great track for an opener both of an album and a film, though it is far from being the best Beatles composition. '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 on 'Magical Mystery Tour', also the first to be credited to all four members (it gets bonus points for the Mellotron). 'Blue Jay Way' can be simply described as one of the best George Harrison songs to appear on a Beatles recording; 'I Am the Walrus' is the final track on side one, and I would rather refer to it as a composition - a wacky ride through Lennon's mind, aided by his experience with LSD - just one of the all-time bests by The Beatles.

Moving on to side two we get the five singles for some eighteen minutes of playtime, about which can be safely stated that represent the pure genius of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting duo, depicting in sounds the full spectrum of their visionary abilities of giving birth to memorable, yet profound songs that leave the listener in a blissful awe.

'Magical Mystery Tour' is a true achievement for rock and pop music that for me indicates the consistent perfection in The Beatles' prolific creativity in this specific period of their history, between 1965 and 1968.