Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

It certainly does a lot. I must’ve felt differently were I around when it was released. Instead I’m just glad I got the far superior stuff they influenced rather than having to suffer through the Beatles themselves.

not their best nor is it my favorite of theirs but after a week a mid albums, this was like a godsend. i love u beatles!!!! 4.5

Fucking 11/10!!!

Not my favorite Beatles album, but still great.

OK.

Best song (Strawberry Fields) isn’t even on the album - although A Day In The Life is also fine. Probably won’t listen to it again, but it’s alright.

Not every song on here is a 5 but I can't think of a time when the album as a whole wasn't a 5 for me. Very few people mention Harrison's "Within You Without You" when talking about this album but it's one of my favorites. "A Day In The Life" is a masterpiece!

This is a legit incredible album. If you told me that this album was the inspiration for this entire project, I wouldnt doubt it. Anyway, this album is absolutely fantastic and holds up after all the plays. 5/5

i like to pretend i hate the beatles even though i've been listening since i was 8 with all their music on my ipod when im sixty four is a big banger a day in the life is for when your dog dies right before you and your fam take a road trip to SF and you stare out the window looking at the gloomy bay

Wow! The first Beatles record we've seen so far. I get why this album was important and love a lot of songs on it, but I don't often come back to it as a favorite. A Day in the Life is a killer song obviously and this album influenced nearly all music that came after it in some way so I appreciate it's place in musical lore. But my favorites albums come after this in quick succession, culminating with their final. In any case, you can't have hot takes on a Beatles album so it gets a 5!

One of Their best but you van say that about almost all Their albums

Эксперименты, которые можно (нужно) слушать каждому. Альбом Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band - очередное чудо света, вышедшее из под пера великой ливерпульской четверки. На дворе уже 1967 год, многие группы-подражатели только достигли уровня первых альбомов The Beatles, а они в свою очередь уже выдают альбом, ставший моментально классикой рока. Обложка альбома великолепна, одна из легендарнейших обложек всех времен (по тем временам такое фото с картонными картинками людей было шоком как минимум из за качества работы). Про сами треки могу сказать одно - они подарили музыке много уникального звучания с битловском вайбом. И, конечно же, самый сок альбома заложен в последний трэк (даже в последние два, так как между ними идет клевый переход). Песня A Day In The Life для меня самая лучшая в дискографии битлов, она привносит неповторимую атмосферу спокойствия и жизнерадостного настроения, навевая легкие мотивы, которые в свою очередь перерастают в мою любимую стену звука. Такого вы не сможете встретить ни на одном альбоме, поэтому от меня идет однозначная максимальная оценка. Жизнерадостное 5/5.

The Beatles, some of the best music ever created.

Was good but too repeating

Probably my favorite album of all time

One of greatest albums of all time, Even not my Favorite beatles album is a Great album, my Favorite songs is Lucy in the sky with diamonds, She leaving home and a day in the life.

Iconic album and its that for a reason. The whole thing just feels warm and happy like sunshine. Life is only a dream, and we are the imagination of ourselves.

easy 5

It's the Beatles. It's the Beatles engaging in whimsy. It's the Beatles being obtuse. It's not the Beatles I generally want to listen to.

Insanely good. How did they write this?

I know this is widely considered to be one of the greatest rock albums of all time but it's never done it for me. It's a weird mish mash of non rock elements and given it was created at a time of innovation is a strange longing for a time that considered "The Music Man" to be cutting edge. It's an odd lament for the times of carousel music and Sousa Marches

Так совпало, что 2 альбом подряд уже идет Битлз. Так как я на начале своего пути, сравнивать мне не с чем, кроме как с прошлым альбомом. Abbey Road оказался для меня ближе В данном альбоме преобладает восточный звук, что мне одновременно и понравилось и нет.

Classic

I assume everyone gives this 4 or 5 stars, but I can't say I'm a huge fan of this one. Prefer other Beatles records much more. Abbey Road, Magical Mystery Tour, Revolver probably.

i've just never clicked with the beatles idk!! i like a lot of music that is clearly influenced by them (the lemon twigs), but I just... don't see the appeal of the beatles!! didn't hate this, also was easy to listen to without really listening to?

My least favorite Beatles record (but still a 3, I like the Beatles). I don't really have anything to add about probably the most talked about Beatles record because to me it's just the least interesting one. The interesting stuff is all contextual and not really the music itself. There's some really corny lyrics, which made me think of how social media have changed social customs because I guess it was avant-garde at the time to really just have no fucking shame, "I used to be cruel to my woman / I beat her and kept her apart from the things that she loved" ...and to me this record feels more like an awkward transition than something that is great on its own. It feels like proto-prog but somehow also stripped down and unfinished at the same time. As someone who would definitely defend the Beatles from complaints of being "overrated" I gotta say I see exactly where people who don't "get" the Beatles are coming from with this record. Never cared for it but give me White Album or Abbey Road any day. Those two records are timeless, still interesting and still worth stealing from and looking back to. This is kitsch, this is 1967. 3 instead of 2 because A Day In The Life is on it.

Jump bass. Trippy album but inconsistent. Very English.some average ideas for n there but real high spots are the Indian spiritual time and day in the life. She’s leaving home is mawkish. Ringo and John lean towards the dada while George and John extend themselves musically. Lyrically focussed on banal everyday life of English people, but with a drug fuelled lens. Songs are too long, too many mid songs, mix is stereo divided and not cohesive, vocals are muddy, bass is high in mix..

Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band – The Beatles – 4.2/5 A classic from The Beatles, this album was a great listen—enjoyable, creative, and flowed effortlessly, making time pass quickly. The mix of experimental sounds and catchy melodies keeps it engaging, and I can see why it’s considered one of their best. I like The Beatles, and this album reinforces why they’re legendary.

A lot of classic, but well overplayed songs here. When I'm 64 makes me laugh a little because, well, 64 doesn't seem that far away anymore.

Literally one of the greatest albums ever. The first concept album. It would’ve blown my fucking mind to listen to this in 1967.

Better than I remember it

Not as good as their very best but it’s still Sgt Peppers. 5

Welp. Here it is. The one we've all been waiting for. ... Y'know, to start off, I wanna say that I actually kind of dislike the question "What do you want me to say?" 'Coz, to me, it reflects the idea that everything you can "objectively" say about an album has already been said, so it's not worth trying to say anything new. Anything you say would be repeating something someone else has said, so what's the point in even trying, huh? Which is, like, not a great way to think about talking about your feelings on something? I mean, when I look for someone's opinion on something, I'm not looking for the singularly most unique take in the whole wide world; some new, world-shattering revelation about this piece of work. All I want to hear is whatever words that come closest to describing how you, specifically, feel about something. Even if parts of it come out sounding like someone else's feelings, well, they're not. They're still yours — you're the one saying them. That's what's important, over everything else. All of which I say because, if you'd think there'd be any album that'd be hard as balls to talk about, it'd be this one. It's SGT. PEPPER'S damn LONELY HEARTS CLUB BAND. The album of albums. The album of all time. The album that has, until pretty recently, been regularly considered **THE GREATEST OF ALL TIME** by **THE GREATEST BAND OF ALL TIME**. This thing's been praised to the far edges of the galaxy and back. Goodness, it's been close to sixty years since this album was first released. People have not stopped talking about it since, and they're very likely going to continue for the next sixty. What could you even say about it? Well, here's a few things. To begin with, let's just get this out of the way: is this the greatest Beatles album of all time? Speaking definitively— well, it's impossible to speak definitively. But on a personal level, no, I wouldn't say it is. Take it from someone who spent a decade buying the "GOAT" line from the old guard, the Beatles have better. Take REVOLVER, for instance. These days it's a pretty popular choice for "best album" given that it's where a lot of the innovation SGT. PEPPER'S was claimed to have **actually** started. Alternatively, there's ABBEY ROAD, for having the absolute finest pop songwriting the group would ever do, together or apart. Certainly, it's **my** pick for "best Beatles album." The old review I did for it wasn't very long, but it gets across that point very clearly, I think. But that's not to act like SGT. PEPPER'S is any slouch. The songs on here are still incredible, and remain among the most iconic they'd ever do for a reason. Goodness, there's a very good argument that "A Day In The Life" is their masterwork: the single greatest song in the band's discography. Y'know, their very own "Echoes" or "Bohemian Rhapsody" or "God Only Knows", I'unno, "Break Stuff". I mean, let's just not act like "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" or "Lovely Rita" or "When I'm Sixty-Four" aren't all great songs. And if this album isn't as innovative as REVOLVER — or maybe we've been living in its wake too long to really perceive its effects — then dang it, it's sure as heck **consistent**. Just a bit more **cohesive**. 'Coz, look, REVOLVER's my number two Beatles album, but there's always been some small part of it that feels it's a little... Grab bag-y? Not to the extent something like The White Album would be, but jumping from "Taxman" to "Eleanor Rigby" to "I'm Only Sleeping" to "Love You To" to "Yellow Submarine"... It's a little scattered. Can't help but feel that way a little. And, sure, obviously cohesion isn't a deciding factor which album is better than another, but the only other Beatles album I can think of that fits this well together is, well, ABBEY ROAD. This is, by the way, including Harrison's little stop-over for Indian classical at the beginning of side two. Some people probably don't like it; see it as too much of a diversion from what the rest of the album was doing... I mean, heck, George is the only Beatle on it, I'm pretty sure. And it's not something like "Yesterday", which is a simple acoustic number with strings; no, this is a whole production number. In fact, it's the sole thing keeping this album from being the only other time a Beatles album was written entirely by Lennon-McCartney after A HARD DAY'S NIGHT. And it still ends up being the second best song on the whole album — go figure. Like, I'unno, "The Inner Light" has always been one of my favorite Beatles B-sides, and it's basically a lite version of this, so... Speaking of cohesion, too, by the way, I wanna talk about SGT. PEPPER'S as a concept album. That's always been a hot topic, isn't it? Like, "Is it **really** one, or is that another line from the boomers and the old guard?" After all, the Lonely Hearts Club Band themselves seem to only appear on the title track, its reprise and "With A Little Help From My Friends". How do you square away stuff like "She's Leaving Home" and "Within You Without You"? To me, it's always been simple: the idea has always been for the band to put on costumes and pretend to be another band, right? Well, who says that has to end right after the band stops singing about themselves? This whole album is a Lonely Hearts Club Band — named BEATLES, I guess. The songs with the audience noises could be dubbed in, or, heck, they could just be live recordings with some overdubs, like what Zappa would do on some of his albums. That doesn't sound so far-fetched to me. As for Billy Shears, "the singer," I've never believed he was the singer of the Lonely Hearts Club Band. To me, he's a special guest vocalist, like Roy Harper on "Have A Cigar". The rest, then, is all sung by the Band themselves. And this might be a stretch, but for real, it's what I've always believed. And it's funny to bring up Frank Zappa here, too, given that he liked SGT. PEPPER'S enough to name his next album WE'RE ONLY IN IT FOR THE MONEY as a critique of both the album and the Beatles'. (With the extra fact that Paul has been quoted saying that SGT. PEPPER'S was their FREAK OUT! — in terms of being a complete concept album, anyway.) Coincidentally enough, my group got it only two or three days ago, and to address Zappa's accusation that they were plastic and insincere... No, no, they're legit. This isn't something like BEATLES FOR SALE; they clearly believe in what they're doing here. This doesn't sound to me like a "How do you do, fellow kids?" cash-in on the youth culture of the time — if anything, it **directed** the culture. Look at how The Rolling Stones tried having their own SGT. PEPPER'S with THEIR SATANIC MAJESTIES REQUEST. Look at how this album (and the non-album "Strawberry Fields Forever") was one of the reasons why SMiLE became one of the great lost albums. Look at how IN THE COURT OF THE CRIMSON KING was meant as an homage. Look at how bands generally have called albums "our SGT. PEPPER'S." Heck, just look at the fact that it's maybe **the** most iconic and definitive album of the entire 60's next to PET SOUNDS, THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO and WHAT'S GOING ON. Circling back to talk about the songs for a moment here... Gosh, "Being For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!" is probably my number three, if for nothing else than those calliope breakdowns. They're absolute madness, and they really make you feel like you're walking through a crazy display of lights. Before that, you have "She's Leaving Home", and if there ain't a more beautiful string number on the entire album... Like, it's not a particularly original story, but damn if they don't sell it between the string arrangement and how they sing it. It's a crime the original stereo mix slowed it down. Actually, jumping forward from that, "When I'm Sixty-Four" is another great "oldies-style" Paul number. I really do love how granny and vaudeville it is, and those backing vocals just can't be missed. They might just be the best backing vocals on the whole album — or at the very least, it's a strong fight against Ringo's number "With A Little Help From My Friends". It's just a lovely tune that no one else but Ringo could sing. Seriously, that last note he sings just would not have hit the same if he'd had a larger range. Like, "Damn, listen to him just **go for it**." And speaking of songs, pull back to that non-album song: "Strawberry Fields Forever" and its companion A-side "Penny Lane". Should they have been on this album? Um... Yeah. Yeah, probably. They would have fit in right alongside everything else. As much as I like "Fixing A Hole" and "Getting Better" (minus it's "I used to be cruel to my woman" line — worst moment on the album, no doubt), I don't think I'd miss them **that much**... Although, that said, I kind of can't imagine a SGT. PEPPER'S with any songs other than the ones it has now. Maybe blame it on nostalgia and how I'm way more used to hearing "Strawberry Fields" and "Penny Lane" on MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR, but... Yeah, I'unno, they just belong here. They're part of the album's cohesion — not that "Strawberry Fields" or "Penny Lane" wouldn't have been, but if I had the chance to change history, frankly, I don't think I would. Let those two be amazing on their own, eh? And briefly, I wanna bring up the album cover. As someone who finds visuals like that very important, it almost doesn't get any better than SGT. PEPPER'S. It's not imitated as often as it is for nothing, only beat out in my mind by ABBEY ROAD for the best Beatles album cover. You can spend a long time just looking at it and all of the people they included. Like, it's just fun to let your eyes wander over it. N', heck, even Alastor Crowley is there! Really, the whole packaging is a treat, with its gatefold cover and cut-outs and all the lyrics on the back... It makes the whole thing feel incredibly prestigious, and it's the kind of thing I love to see out of album packaging. And I could go on — believe me, I could. I haven't even spoken specifically on the title track, "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds", "Lovely Rita", "Good Morning Good Morning" or the reprise (love 'em all, of course; I used to consider "Good Morning Good Morning" my favorite, for as much as I know others don't like it) — and without those this review **still** might hit over 2k words at the rate I'm going. But I think you get it by now. I agree very much that this is not the Beatles' greatest album. They'd done better, before and after. I won't say it didn't make me very happy to see that the 2020 Rolling Stone 500 had dropped it down to 24 while bumping ABBEY ROAD to the top 5. Matter of fact, it might not even be the best **60's** album. Besides ABBEY ROAD, people could and have made great cases for THE VELVET UNDERGROUND & NICO, WHAT'S GOING ON and PET SOUNDS — and not only are the latter two ranked higher on the 2020 RS500, with WHAT'S GOING ON at number one, but PET SOUNDS got to stay at #2 while SGT. PEPPER'S fell from the top 20. Goodness, huh? But even if it isn't the SUPER DUPER ALL TIME NUMBER ONE BREAK THE SCALE ELEVEN OUTTA TEN BEST ALBUM EVAR... Let's not front: it's still up there. A splendid time was guaranteed for all, and they sure as hell provided. I mean, if the stupid Bee Gees/Peter Frampton movie couldn't kill this thing's rep, nothing can. That's just a fact, and that's all I have to say about that.

It's fucking Sgt. Peppers, need I say more? Solid 5 Stars.

I’m at a 10. Obviously. This is my first time hearing this album in full, and save for the title track (& When I’m Sixty-Four), my first time hearing or paying attention to a lot of these tracks. Yes, that includes “Lucy in The Sky with Diamonds”, which, on a true first listen, I can understand why they have never ever beaten the LSD allegations, & “A Day in the Life”, which is an absolutely stunning finale that I can’t find the words to praise. If there’s one thing I can appreciate this list for, it’s making me finally listen to the Beatles as album creators; it’s very easy to know all of the bigger hits, but I’ve never had an appreciation for the albums as complete projects until going through this. Hell, I’ve never really had an appreciation for the Beatles themselves until now – always an admiration of their status in pop culture, and an acknowledgement that music would not be the same without them, but never a full blown “holy shit, wow” until going through these albums. This album, on a first pass, feels like a natural evolution of the soundscapes & production style of “A Hard Day’s Night”, “Rubber Soul”, and “Revolver” in their most polished & refined & bombastic way – granted, I’ve never listened to the latter two in full, so I can’t speak to if that’s actually true, but solely from what I’ve heard of their singles around this time, it just seems that way, perhaps with a hint more rock. That polish starts before you begin the album – even in the cover art that everyone on the planet has parodied since, the showmanship that’s present throughout this album makes itself known immediately, from those gaudy-as-hell military outfits, and their “past selves” literally to their right. Beatlemania is dead, and long live these bright colorful guys. It must’ve been striking as hell for 1967. I don’t really wanna go on a big track by track analysis, nor do I want to go on another soliloquy about the brilliance of John, Paul, George, & Ringo – I’ve given them praise beyond belief for the other 3 albums we’ve gotten so far, and I’m sure I’ll give even more praise once Rubber Soul & Revolver do come up, if those albums are indeed as good as expected. As far as this whole project goes… man, it’s a hell of an album. Straight from the screams of Paul McCartney & the harmonization of the group to introduce themselves on the first track, all the way until the absolute brilliance of “A Day in the Life”, it’s just a marvelous 40 minutes. Granted, this isn’t the best Beatles album we’ve gotten – some people will say this is their magnum opus, and while I can hear it, I sort of disagree with it. I think there are a few tracks here that feel sort of like afterthoughts; as such, they aren’t as concise & tight as stuff on the White Album or Abbey Road, and the album experience does suffer a little for it. I also think the concept isn’t taken as far and as fruitful as it could have been. This is Sgt. Pepper’s band, but we only really get an acknowledgement of the show they’re putting on at the start and the excellent reprise – a skit or two to really flesh out the concept would’ve done numbers for me. Then again, that’s not really the point of the album, is it? It's a rather loose frame that just allows the Beatles to sound "different" from expectations. This is revolutionary in the sense of “high art concept album” done in a poppier form blended with rock, and it opened up the doors for the Beatles to experiment for the rest of their time together as a band, and probably made them all individually realize that the scope of their inevitable solo careers could be modeled on the ambitions this album set out for them. So, yes, this is the runway to the rest of the Beatles’ discography, both as a group, and as individual artists. However, it’s also the runway for literally everyone else to follow at the time, whether it’s in protest (like the Mothers of Invention album we quite literally got 3 days ago), in tribute (like the several versions of this album that have been done by groups of artists inspired by it), or in an effort to capture the same lightning in a bottle this must have given (and that list is too monumental to even count). So, all that said, it’s a 10 – not quite at the same level as the White Album or Abbey Road for me, but a brilliant album nonetheless, with some of John & Paul’s finest songwriting, George’s most George-y song ever interrupting their flow in a positive way, and Ringo… I guess he hit some really nice notes on “With A Little Help From My Friends”, and his percussion has some standout moments. I gotta give Ringo more credit someday. Regardless, they’re all in fantastic harmony, and it produced a fantastic album. Long live those bright, goofy outfits. P.S.: Joe Cocker’s version of “With A Little Help From My Friends” is a better track to me. That’s probably heresy, but I have more nostalgia with it, so I’m biased, sue me. Ringo's version is still pretty nice, though.

I’m starting to like the Beatles less…this album isn’t great. When I’m 64 reminds me of primary school, it was one of the ones we sang, randomly

No.

Words cannot express how much I hate this stupid fucking band.

I didn't know what to expect, going into Beatles - and surprisingly, it's not bad at all. Hell, I think I quite enjoyed the show. Dreamy, weird, intimate, suspicious. And hey, every time I hear "A Day In The Life" I hear "Young Americans".

Often imitated but never equaled, this was the original masterpiece of psychedelic rock. Still, not my favorite album by the Beatles so I considered giving 4 stars until A Day in the Life came on. Favorites: With a Little Help From My Friends, Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds, A Day in the Life Least Favorite: When I'm Sixty Four

There is just some undeniable magic with The Beatles that is hard to quantify. Listening to these 1001 albums does help show amongst hundreds of the greatest albums their work is consistently impressive and stands out as being such. Is it because they were one of my dad's favorite bands so I've been hearing these for most my life? Maybe. But when I look at the Wikipedia articles for these albums they all have such immense detail and commentary about each and every song. I find it fascinating that the Beatles also had purposely taken top singles out of an album just to sell as essentially DLC later on as they did here again with two of their best tracks "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Penny Lane" so I'm including them here even though it would have likely been 5/5 without me those tracks. For this album I really like the concept idea of alternate identities, and the discussion and denial of all the otherwise obvious drug references throughout is also very interesting. LSD, Mr. kite, etc all were things that even someone as oblivious as me could pick up the potential drug references, perhaps the biggest flag for being drug influenced is letting Ringo essentially kick it off. Still a good album either way, even the Ringo track is good (one of his best) Favorite track "A Day in the Life" (or "Strawberry Fields Forever" if I count the bonus singles) 5/5

classic, not my favorite beatles but still very good

What a classic first choice

I mean I guess it was good in its day. It’s a bit much though

There's not a bad song on this album. There's a reason it's a classic.

Great A-side, okay B-side, which ends with one of their best songs ever

I genuinely don't know how anybody can dislike this album. It's just such a vibe all the way through. Of course you can dislike some parts of it, for instance I'm not a fan of reprises, so the reprise wasn't my favorite, but I get why it's there. I can see why people would dislike "Within You Without You" because it's something different, but I personally liked it. "A Day In The Life" was quite possibly the weirdest song I've heard all year, but there were parts I enjoyed about it. Now I've always had the opinion that The Beatles are SUPER overrated. Did listening to this album change that? A bit. I still think they are, but it slightly moved the needle for me. It is amazing how influential The Beatles have been, with their legacy still sparking conversations even after more than 60 years. 4.25 Favorite Song: When I'm Sixty Four Least Favorite: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (Reprise)

Loads of hits but I'm just not a Beatles fan. Can appreciate their music but the quirky experimentation just annoys me. Psych rock just rubs me the wrong way.

Fantastic. I wonder how many times I have listened to this album...

The only thing that could have possibly made this album better would be if Strawberry Fields Forever was on it

The Beatles are the Backstreet Boys of the 60s.

What am I gonna say that changes how anyone thinks about this album? It's not my favorite Beatles album (really not even top 5 probably), but it's still better than a lot of stuff out there.

Very familiar with this album, all time classic and though I’m too young to have witnessed it first hand, I understand how groundbreaking this album was in terms of the recording process in general and in the Beatles own story

My older brother played this album all the time when it first came out. I never cared much for it because it didn’t have any heavy guitar solos a la Hendrix or Page. All these years later I acknowledge its influence but it’s still not my favourite Beatles album.

Catchy songs, great production. And this is the album that started with the idea of releasing songs as a whole product rather than just individual albums. I'm not the biggest Beatles fan but this album is gorgeous.

This album has a revered place in pop music history, one that I don't share unfortunately. I respect its innovative recording techniques and psychedelic tone, that's about it.

A classic. Always something new with every listen.

One of The Greatest albums

Classic album with some classic tracks.

easy 5! What I love about this album is how much fun they must've had making it, like they all just got a chance to really cut loose and try some cool shit, but then rein it in so it doesnt lose the plot. crazy how much this influenced the future of music. with that out of the way, and my childhood memories of hearing these songs aside, I have a specific connection to the the title track. I was living with some friends and I got part of the song stuck in my head but wouldnt follow up with any other lyrics. so my roommates would hear me sing "Sergeant Peppers LONE--" and thats it. Thats all, I annoyed the hell out of my roommates and it remains a core memory, thanks Beatles.

Easy 5 stars. One of the most inventive, influential and fun albums of its era NAY all time. What else can you even say? Also check out the cover album done by Easy Star Allstars. One of their best as well!

Great album. Brought back many memories.

This was my first favorite Beatles album. It comes out of the gate with a bang - SPLHCB is such a shot to the veins. Great album top to bottom. Love it.

I mean, it's Sgt. Pepper's. Incredible. So diverse, and lots of great songs. There are some annoying ones, though.

Obviously five stars

Not perfect, but still amazing

All timer

A few bangers, but overall not my cup of tea

The highs here are massive highs, but there’s some guff too.

Better than I expected

A classic

Over rated

I'm not a huge fan of the Beatles and it irks me that all of their albums are on this list. However historically important they were. This though, is the good stuff. One of the two truly excellent Beatles albums'

For me this campy, gitchy version of the Beatles is middle of the road when listening with a totally sober mindset and ear. It does get better when properly medicated (THC). I definitely understand why many believe (true or not) that there was innuendo of drugs throughout the album.

An absolute classic

For years, this was a permanent fixture at the top of 'best album ever' charts. When it hits, you can see why. Sgt Peppers, With a little help from my friends, a day in the life, Lucy... are stone cold classics, even with Ringo singing. And none of the songs are necessarily 'bad'. And yet...it left me wanting more. I'm not a fan of McCartney music hall type songs like When I'm 64, and something like She's Leaving Home is too saccharine, too 'drama for children's tv' for me. Undoubtedly a classic, but not one I'd reach for again. Can you complain about something being clichéd when it invented those clichés?

I get why The Beatles are important to music history, but I just do not like it myself. Respect, but pass.

As fresh as ever

I own this on vinyl but haven't listened to it too many times. As a collection of music all released at the same time, it's extremely good, but for a Beatles album, it's just so-so. There are some excellent songs (With A Little Help From My Friends, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, When I'm Sixty Four, A Day in the Life), but the rest aren't my favorite. That said, it's so good, I would happily listen to it weekly. Four stars, just because it isn't anywhere near what I know the Beatles can do (and I know it will be rated higher by most Beatles fans).

john lennon wrote a few highly conceptual songs + paul showed up like lemme throw a few tunes about pussy on this 1

such a good album still holds up so well. love all the dif instruments they use. fav song always gonna be being for the benefit of mr kite but sgt peppers (title track) lucy in the sky and when im 64 also top contenders for me. most annoying song within you without you

I mean... Its all the shenanigans of the Beatles shoved into an album. When I'm sixty four makes my ears bleed with McCartneys incessant oompa oompa vibes and "I used to beat my Woman" in Its Getting Better is pretty insane. Sudden breakbeat drums from my guy? What? Regardless, A day in the life is so fucking good but why does McCartney have to ruin it?

Considered the first popular music concept album, Sgt Peppers is the gold standard. Bops galore and sounds very modern for being released over 55 years ago.

I don't know how many times it takes to listen to this album to be somewhat bored of it. This is some of the earliest music I remember hearing. After all the radio plays, the covers, and wearing the grooves out of my vinyl, I did get bored of much of it. But not Within You Without You. And especially not the transition from the SPLHCB reprise to A Day in the Life. After almost 60 years, this album has some excitement left for me. 5/5

There's no fresh take for this record. Every second of it has been dissected and talked about.

Lovely recording. Very enjoyable listen

Yeah. Yeah. Basic. I know. But it’s fucking good. This is most likely the Beatles most experimental album and I love a good experimental album - when it’s done well. Which this is. It’s not dreary, it’s not depressing, it’s not scratching deep into the surface of society’s underlying problems; it’s whimsy, it’s optimism, it’s a sense of childlike wonder. It’s fun embodied into a sound. The opening and closing tracks on the album create a concept, a story almost, that transports you into a little dive bar somewhere in the 1960’s, or a small theatre somewhere in London, watching a stage show, or an old living room watching a box TV with an awful carpet wearing pink tights. It gets into your head. The psychedelic atmosphere it creates at times scratches my brain just right. This is my first full-listen of a Beatles album and I have to say, there is a reason why people laud them as the influential band, because of albums like this. It’s art, in music form. It’s story-telling. It’s fucking great.

I was really surprised by how much I enjoyed the album. I'm not a huge Beatles fan so I didn't expect to be a pleasant experience. I completely forgot how it is their most experimental album. It's fun and unpredictable and while listening I could see where other rock/indie bands got their inspiration for their sounds. It's pretty good.

Almost Perfect - 4.5

Contains some of the best Beatles songs but kind of lulls in the middle. Almost perfect but it's NOT

The audio balancing is so freaking lop-sided -- hate that. How did women faint at this? This is the most mid thing I've listened to so far.

Classic

Wow, two Beatles albums already as part of my 1001 Albums journey! I love this album… just nowhere near as much as several other Beatles albums; this wouldn’t even make my top three, probably landing at number five. And it’s interesting to see how it’s Baroque-style theme has fallen a bit out of favor over the years, once often landing at at least top five albums of all time if not number one on Rolling Stone’s lists, but often struggling to stay in the top 25 these days. Personally I like every track except “Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band” (both versions), “Fixing a Hole” and “She’s Leaving Home”. The reality is there’s not a discography like the Beatles; not a single album is bad or even mediocre. Because of this I’m open to being called nuts but I may be grading this on a curve, giving it four out of five stars.

has my fav beatle song… fav track: a day in the life other picks: LSD, within you without you, sgt peppers

Well, it's definitely quite good, and I do love the happy songs on here. Some of the lyrics are... questionable, but there's no denying that the Beatles deserve credit for paving the way for so many artists and bands.

Most of the songs are fun and give a good kick up the rear. But then the occasional strangeness comes along that is hard to vibe with. I feel almost peer-pressured to not give it lower than a four. To my modern sensibilities most of the then groundbreaking stuff is done by everyone now. So it just sounds less impressive. Oh well, second beatles album done, it was better than plastic ono, a four it is.

The Beatles are one of my favorite artists of all time, and Sgt. Pepper's is one of my favorite albums of all time. I mostly write my "reviews" as journal entries so I can remember details of albums I hadn't previously heard, or to leave a love letter to the ones that are already dear to me (and the ones that have become an instant favorite). I'm so overwhelmed trying to put into words how much I love these songs. I guess all I'll say is that the best quality of this album is that I notice something new every time I hear it. And also that it's a masterclass in melody writing. I'd take it with me to a desert island, which is maybe the highest compliment I could give.

tengo que escucharlo más veces, lo escuché masomenos distraido, peroo, me gustó, está muy bien producido, como todo de The Beatles, muy buen album, te da como una sensación de ensueño, como alucinante, ns, chevere

Iconic

Chill and definitely unforgettable

i mean what is there to say… in my eyes this album is perfect

Quick confession: my parents are both certified Beatles haters. I’ve listened to approximately… two? songs by The Beatles in my entire life (Blackbird and Hey Jude) and have never had any desire to go any further. Credit absolutely where it’s due, the range of instrumentation is crazy and absolutely groundbreaking. It’s like a beautiful, complex dish which I can appreciate for having used inventive and complex cooking techniques and then ends up being something that’s just… fine! Favourite Tracks: She’s Leaving Home, Within You Without You Least Fav Track: For the Benefit of Mr Kite

Nah bro siiiick Letzter Song Peak Beatles es ist still nicht goated aber viele ziemlich gute Songs

First listen. Been on the list for some time. It was ok I guess.

Bangerrrr

if ever an album deserved 5 stars this is it probably heard this in the mid-70s, and it was brilliant then

Cuando lo sacaron en CD me lo regaló mi hermana y fue un redescubrimiento de los Beatles, que ya me gustaban pero solo tenía grabados en cinta los recopilatorios Azul y Rojo. Espectacular. Siempre pienso en lo increíble que tuvo que ser escucharlos en 1967.

Already had

Beat, 1967 -> 4

Lucy and Help from My friends are solid. Like what’s going on in Within/Without. Like the guitar in good morning - kinda came out of the blue but it rocked (finally). Day in the life was solid too. Enjoyed this more than my average Beatles listening experience…

The lack of commitment to the concept here has always bothered me. Obviously this is one of the all time great albums so any complaint is nitpicking. I’ve considered Sgt Pepper somewhere in the middle of the pack of Beatles albums. I greatly prefer the edge of a Lennon song, as well as his vocals to Paul’s, and this feels like 75% Paul. A Day In The Life might be the best song ever recorded. One unexpected outcome of this exercise is that I now resent the Shankar family. Last note is this listen through I noticed the bass is way up in the mix.

I’ve got nothing interesting to say about the Beatles. This isn’t my favorite Beatles album (a bit too carnivalesque/ cheesy in parts for my taste) but it’s still obviously a classic and no other band could have made it, or thought to.

All this Beatles material coming at a time when Ringo and Paul are having a moment (Ringo just dropped a new single - Look Up). Weird to think we have 80+ year old rock stars. Some personal fluff: Pre-2020, I would have called myself a big fan. I knew all the albums, but I wasn’t obsessed. They wouldn’t have showed up in my top 10, most-listened-to artists on any of those 26 years. That said, I probably could have named 9/10 album tunes by the time I was 13 because of how popular they were with my parents In 2020, I found a podcast called Nothing Is Real (a Beatles podcast) and explored the Get Back documentary in 2021. In 2022, I got to see Paul live. Those 3 years were incredibly fun to go deep.. Beyond the box sets and into the immense catalogue of material put together by historians like Mark Lewisohn & the Anthology adjacent projects - Ex: Listening to the entire A/B session tapes (i.e. all the recordings known to man for the Let It Be sessions) I find myself (mostly) on the other side of that phase (with occasional days where I slip back into obsession). I will always remember these days fondly and I may re-listen to Nothing Is Real again someday. I love talking Beatles Pepper: It would be a lie to say that I have any original opinion about Sargent Pepper. I obv wasn’t there, im not the historian and there isn’t an available catalogue of tapes to listen to for me to form an original idea of what it was like. Instead of joshing anyone, I came up with my list of fun facts for others to explore. * “Will you pass me the salt and pepper” was the misheard quote that Paul heard “sargent pepper” out of — said by Mal Evans (his journals are super interesting). * Strawberry Fields is two tapes spliced together. If you listen closely to “Let me take you down 'cause I'm going to”, you'll hear it (and never unhear it). The pitch shift is real. Those maniacs did this with analogue tech which is fucking insane * Sgt Pepper is a concept album that becomes just an ordinary album. I think this is hilarious that they quit after 2.5 songs when the entire inspiration for the album came from becoming “a new band”.

Obviously 5 stars. What am I supposed to say about this. Unpopular opinion though: not my favorite Beatles album. I'm an Abbey Road guy

Had already listened to this a couple of times in the last week. Definitely the best album we’ve gotten so far and the easiest 5. Toss up between this, Abbey Road, and White Album for favorite Beatles. Love the loose concept album, the first hit of that opening track, and Day in the Life is in the running for my favorite Beatles song. What more is there to say here? Currently working my way through watching the Beatles Anthology documentary as well, just so fun to get lost in their journey. Just keep thinking about how much it would suck to be Pete Best.

Previously, I could have been described as a lite Beatles hater. I’m not sure I had previously listened all the what through. The sense of whimsy is *palpable*. The band is so tight. Every sound is so live. The vocals are passionate and live and powerful. The album is so thoughtfully constructed as an ‘experience’ beyond the songs. Huge fan.

What an album. Out of 5, this is a 6.

Vocal forward, always love the harmonies and trippy reverb guitar. I used to have this on vinyl in high school, so it’s been a while since my last listen through. Each song just bounces along, marching and smelling the roses along the way. A few songs with more eastern influences, and then a random Maxwell’s silver hammer bell appears and you are brought back to the west. Good Morning Good Morning guitar solo rips. 3.65/5

Quite surprised how much I enjoyed this one. I may need to give another listen to properly give certain parts attention. This album gives me a respect for the beatles I didn't have before.

Classic

Not my favorites songs from The Beatles, but still it is the The Beatles

3.5

:) listen again

I really like "With a Little Help from My Friends" and "When I'm Sixty-Four," and sort of like several others (including "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" and "Getting Better").

Some of their best work, but also some weaker tracks towards the end.

Some classics and some filler

Some good ones, but some weird ones. I appreciate at the time this was forward thinking, it's aged OK.

Pretty 😊 Fav Songs: With a Little Help From My Friends, Lucy In the Sky with Diamonds, A Day In the Life

Previously, I could have been described as a lite Beatles hater. I’m not sure I had previously listened all the what through. The sense of whimsy is *palpable*. The band is so tight. Every sound is so live. The vocals are passionate and live and powerful. The album is so thoughtfully constructed as an ‘experience’ beyond the songs. Huge fan.

It was twenty years ago today

Great listen

First Beatles album on the generator, also the first Beatles album I've listened to back to back. Every single song on here was enjoyable, I can't even have anything negative to say about the album. I love this one so much. Fav tracks: Title, With A Little Help From My Friends, Lucy, She's Leaving Home, When I'm 64, A Day In The Life 5/5

Classic Beatles album. Top pick

Stone cold classic. I listened to this over and over again as a kid. Day in the life might be the best conceptual pop song ever written. And this is the grand daddy of all concept albums.

I'm not the kind of person that hates the Beatles just because they are popular. However, I can't help but think that if this came out today it would get lukewarm reception. There are some really great moments, particularly with A Day In The Life and Within You Without You, but as a whole it just feels boring and bland retrospectively. There are way better Beatles albums, and honestly way better albums from '67 (Are You Experienced? AND Axis: Bold As Love in the same year?? Those are way better psych-rock albums IMO). I appreciate the classical infusions through the whole thing and the production is solid as usual, but it falls flat for me overall. 7/10

An exceptional album - apart from a slight dip in the middle this would be a 5

Vinyl listen lucky me. My favorite of the Beatles catalog. Really excellent, so psychedelic and fun with genuine masterpieces throughout.

Well this was an easy one. The first 5 songs on this are etched into my brain from childhood. I hesitate to say any songs are better than the others cause I believe this album to be as close to a masterwork as human art can get. I dont know why my childhood interest failed me. Prolly the non rock and roll harp at the beginning. The indian vibes of within you without you also offended my younger ears. Now I'm on board from beginning to end. What an accomplishment this album. It should be more challenging than it is to common listeners. But it goes down like sugar. When people say they don't like The Beatles I'm 99% sure theyre lying. Just trying to be a contrary asshole. When you consider the musicians this band inspired they become indispensable. We would have a huge void in popular music without them. And we would be none the wiser.

Brilliance.

Not as weird as they were trying to make it. The vocal distortions on lucy in the sky were just ridiculously bad and ruined what would otherwise be a great song. I did really enjoy Being for the benefit of mr kite.

Another classic.

Pure brilliance.

Eh just not for me I guess but I understand why they are so loved. A few bangers though!

Almost the pinnacle of silliness for the Beatles, although Yellow Submarine was probably the tipey top. It's amazing and really fun, and was way ahead of its time in terms of complexity. They absolutely deserve their legendary status. I actually just got back from visiting Liverpool for NYE 2025, but I skipped the Beatles Museum. Still, this feels lucky.

4- Stars (10/15)

I’ve been listening to The Beatles since I was in the womb, considering they are my dad’s favorite band and one of his special interests. I’ve always felt that a lot of the first five or so albums sound relatively the same and I kind of get lost when I listen to a whole album at a time, but once you get to Rubber Soul and beyond, that’s when I feel like things get interesting. It was a fun look back at some of the music that made me who I am, and I think I’ll always be a fan in some ways. Sgt Peppers is an album I think everyone should listen to all the way through at least once, and I’ll be coming back to it as I get older I’m sure. Fave track, When I’m Sixty Four (I love clarinet so much)

It was okay. Really not my thing.

grandma sent a check for $10 when I turned thirteen. I spent it on this cd. I wrote her a letter thanking and explaining my masterplan to collect all beatles' records in my lifetime. that's when it started.

Not a huge beatles listener but I enjoyed this album, has inpsired me to listen to more :)

In my top 5 so duh

My third favorite Beatles album. What else is there to say about this powerhouse? Revolver - Abbey Road - Sgt Pepper. 4.7 stars

This is some serious gourmet shit

Cmon it’s the Beatles!

Enough ink has been spilled about Sgt Pepper’s that there probably isn’t anything new to say about it - it’s hugely influential and innovative and is one of the key pieces in defining the “album” as we know it, but on a moment to moment songwriting level it isn’t as strong as many other entries in the Beatles catalog

i have long been a “beatles are overrated” kind of guy but i loved this listen so much. it makes me understand more of it. really good songwriting and just super fun to listen to and instrumentally stellar. nice one! ya got me

For me personally, this always been a lovely record. Partly for the fact that it was vinyl record I could ever officially say I owned when I was gifted one Christmas by my grandma. Not only does it possess many classic, catchy and good quality Beatles songs, but also contains some lesser known (still very mainstream) tracks. The psychedelic elements are performed very nicely, with good vocals and instrumentation from all members. For some reason, I'm not 100% which it is, this track list doesn't quite feel like some of their other works, the songs all have a nice charm to them that generally earn themselves a good score.

Obviously a classic to end all classics, but it might be slightly dragged down by that reputation to modern audiences. Still has some all timers, but not my favourite Beatles album. 4/5

meh

a good album, a lot of songs were just too slow for my personal taste

Blijf op een zesje steken. Toch te veel filler nummers waar ik niet zo veel mee heb. Is niet slecht verder. Eerste 3 nummers zijn wel goed.

4,5/5. Goeie herinneringen aan dit album, paar goeie nummers, niet zo standaard britpop. Beetje zelfde niveau als LA Woman dit voor mij, top album

It's the fucking Beatles! How can you not like them.

I was going to give this a four because I'm trying to be more discerning and honest, especially for albums I'm already familiar with, but then "A Day In the Life" started and I just couldn't do it. Highlights: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band (and the reprise), With A Little Help From My Friends, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Fixing A Hole, When I'm Sixty Four, A Day In The Life

It's a classic

Skipped 1 song Some proper bizarre songs Good drums I get why it’s a classic and can understand how it has influenced so many but it’s not my favorite.

Probably the best pop album ever made and worthy of all the praise it gets

Great album you can hear them moving into experimental from there empirical pop phase

One of the greats! Always a good spin

Finally we got a Beatles album! Gotta love the classics. These gentlemen just have a charm in their vocals while the music is full of whimsy and grooviness that you can’t help but love. Fave Song: Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds Least Fave Song: Within You Without You Rating:5/5

This is maybe my favorite Beatles album, although I really like many of their projects so that changes from time to time. There's only one skip to me on the project--a clear product of the group's time in India. Not bad, just a bit long for what it is. That said, the other tracks showcase a fascinating collection of sounds, moods, and styles. The closing track, A Day in the Life, remains my favorite Beatles track to date. Whole pieces have been written about this album, so I'll just finish by saying I think it's great. Fav Tracks: A Day in the Life, Fixing a Hole, For the Benefit of Mr. Kite Least Fav Track: Within You Without You - Least Fav

That's not my taste in music - But ok

Great

Day 0009/1001 of One Album a Day Fav tracks: With a Little Help From My Friends, Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, A Day in the Life, She's Leaving Home, A Day in the Life Worst Tracks: Within You Without You

its a beatles album idk why but this album makes me think about volcanic bird enemy and the voiced concern by lil ugly mane i'm too crazy about the beatles, but this is still good tho.

Listened to this 100 times.

Aujourd'hui, nous allons nous attaquer à un monument. Non, rectificatif : nous allons nous attaquer au MONUMENT. La pierre angulaire, le Saint-Graal, l'album que des générations de critiques musicaux ont érigé en pinacle de la création humaine. Le disque que Time Magazine a qualifié de "moment décisif dans l'histoire de la civilisation occidentale". Rien que ça. J'ai nommé, bien sûr, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." Et je vais vous dire une chose, tout de suite, pour qu'il n'y ait pas de malentendu : ce disque me laisse froid. Voilà, le blasphème est commis. Maintenant, laissez-moi m'expliquer. Je ne suis pas un anti-Beatles primaire. Je les "supporte dans mon paysage musical" et l'album "Blanc" est un bordel génial, plein de fureur, de fragilité et de prises de risque. Mais Sgt. Pepper... Sgt. Pepper, c'est autre chose, c'est l'album qui a transformé quatre types de Liverpool en académiciens du rock. C'est un disque d'une intelligence folle, d'une complexité technique inouïe, mais c'est aussi, à mes oreilles, un disque terriblement lisse et désincarné. On nous le vend depuis 60 ans comme l'album-concept ultime. La belle affaire ! Le concept, il tient sur deux chansons : la première, qui introduit le groupe fictif, et sa reprise avant le final. Entre les deux ? Une collection de chansons qui n'ont absolument rien à voir les unes avec les autres. C'est un fourre-tout de génie, mais c'est un fourre-tout. L'idée de la fanfare du sergent Poivre, c'est juste un emballage marketing, un prétexte pour justifier toutes les excentricités sonores. Car oui, il faut lui reconnaître ça, l'album est une révolution de studio. C'est une pièce d'orfèvrerie. George Martin et les quatre garçons se sont amusés comme des fous avec les bandes, les orchestrations, les bruitages. Les textures sont incroyables , le mélange entre la tradition du music-hall anglais et les influences orientales est novateur. C'est un triomphe de production. Mais à trop se concentrer sur la forme, j'ai l'impression qu'ils en ont parfois oublié le fond. Quand j'écoute ce disque, j'entends le travail, j'entends les heures passées en studio, j'entends l'ingéniosité, l'application. Mais je ne ressens pas grand-chose. Ça manque de cette urgence qui rend le rock'n'roll si vital. À part deux ou trois moments de grâce absolue, le reste me semble daté, prisonnier de son époque psychédélique un peu naïve. La fanfare, les bruits de cirque sur "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite!", tout ce folklore "Summer of Love"... ça a le charme désuet d'une carte postale jaunie. Bien sûr, il y a des sommets et il serait malhonnête de le nier. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" est une rêverie psychédélique magnifique. "Within You Without You" de Harrison est une fusion hypnotique et sincère. Et puis, il y a "A Day in the Life" et ce morceau, à lui seul, justifie presque la réputation de l'album. C'est un chef-d'oeuvre absolu, un voyage schizophrène entre le quotidien banal de Lennon et les envolées orchestrales apocalyptiques de McCartney. Un monument. Mais est-ce que trois chansons exceptionnelles suffisent à faire un album légendaire ? Pour moi, non. J'ai toujours préféré la crudité du "White Album", le rock'n'roll plus direct de "Revolver" ou même la rage des Stones de la même époque. "Sgt. Pepper" est un disque que je respecte énormément pour ce qu'il a apporté à la musique en termes de production et d'ambition. C'est une pièce de musée, une étape obligatoire dans l'éducation de tout amateur de musique. Mais est-ce un disque que j'aime ? Est-ce un disque qui me fait vibrer ? Pas vraiment. C'est un album que j'écoute avec mon cerveau, pas avec mes tripes. L'engouement qu'il suscite encore aujourd'hui me dépasse un peu. On dirait que personne n'ose dire que le roi est un peu trop habillé, que sa magnifique parure sonore cache parfois un léger manque d'âme. Un 2 sur 5, donc. Je sais c'est une note qui peut paraître sévère, mais qui est, je pense, honnête. C'est la note d'un album qu'il faut absolument découvrir pour sa place dans l'histoire, pour son influence colossale. Mais une fois découvert, rien ne vous oblige à vous prosterner. On a le droit de trouver ça un peu... chiant. Et ça fait du bien de le dire.

Mijn favoriete Beatles album, divers, geen slecht nummer op te bekennen, goed uitgewerkt concept, originele muziek. Beter wordt het niet!

One of the best ever, enjoyed a relisten. The production made this one a great listen on headphones.

You really can’t imagine how difficult it was to listen to the Beatles in the 1980s, indeed up until the Past Masters discs came out on CD. (Other than if you had music loving parents who had the records. I didn’t.) The reputation of Sgt. Pepper preceded it. Naturally, I was disappointed, thinking it nowt but an indulgent mess. It’s the only one of the post-‘Help’ Beatles albums that I don’t return to on a regular basis (Let It Be aside, for obvious reasons). Ok. It is indulgent, but it isn’t a mess. There are glorious moments here and there. A Day In The Life is probably one of the best pop songs ever composed. As a whole, the songs on the album (I still think) don’t play nicely with one another. But it is a treat.

Yeeeeeeeeessss!!! A lot of these songs are very nostalgic to me, and were big parts of my childhood in various ways. Takes me back to all the day trips with my dad to Liverpool Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds - one of my favourite Beatles songs!! A very enjoyable album, and I wished it was longer 5 ⭐️

A mix of brilliance and tedious. The brilliance outward the tedious.

When I'm 64 is one of my favourite Beatles songs. Add to it a couple of hits and you have a good album. It does contain a couple of forgettable pieces, and a presumptuous thing or two. 8/10

4.5 Probably should be a 5 but there are other Beatles records I like more. The outstanding production really stood out. McCartneys bass playing is so interesting and a perfect fit to the songs.

Great album.

4.5

Starts really strong and manages to keep up the pace all through the album. Absolutism love it. Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds is definitely my favourite, with When I'm Sixty-four coming in second. Three songs saved to listen to again.

I am very familiar with most of these songs, but hearing them in the order they were meant to be heard along with the few songs I didn’t know made it again very apparent how ahead of their time these lads were.

I loved listening to this album again. It had been at least a couple of decades since I had listened to it in its entirety and it is as good as the first time I listened to it.

It is one of the classic albums of all time. Reading some of the other reviews giving it a low score for being disjointed and having some week tracks I think miss the point. I think you need to look at the era, innovation and songwriting there is a lot that makes this revolutionary. Stand out tracks: - Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - With a Little Help from my Friends - Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds - Getting better - She's leaving home - When I'm sixty four - A Day in the Life

I love this record from front to back it's so special and was absolutely game-changing at the time and whilst others are held in higher regard these days it can't be denied how wonderful it is. Easily one of the most important albums of all time.

Often referred to as the first concept album, or bare minimum an inspiration for more concept focused concept albums to come, "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" is a certified banger. What do the beatles do when they're tired of being the beatles? They slap on some marching band uniforms and they be someone else. And who can blame them? At this point in the 60s the beatles were already experiencing the back breaking weight of their own legacy, so the notion wanting to at least pretend to be a different ficticious group if only as a creative exercise made sense. At least it did to Paul McCartney, John Lennon never really like the idea, but then John didn't like alot of Paul's overarching album plans. As for the music itself, there's a little bit of everything that made the Beatles special in here. You've got some of their harder rock inclinations coming out with the title track, John lays out some psychedelic imagery "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds", Paul gets to play some of hisbalways charming "granny music" with "When Im 64", George brings in Indian influences with "Withing You Without You", possibly the best textbook example of Paul and John's unique style differences is on display with "A Day in the Life", and "A Little Help from my Friends" is just the best Ringo song, I don't even think that's a controversial take. Tastes change as time progresses and this album no longer sits as number one on the rolling stones top albums of all time list, but there's a reason it's still in the top 20 despite most of the people who voted on placements being born after its release. This album is an all time banger.

It was my least favorite album from them, but now I grown up, I know it's wonderful, magical, powerful, funny, and creative.

Boring circus music Also, I seem to be the only person who likes the beatles but not this album

I mean it's the most revered and beloved album by the most revered and beloved band in history. I don't really have to say much, do I? 10/10

It’s Sgt. Pepper’s

I mean... it's the bloody bee'ols! How could you not like it? Not as chock-full of bangers as I remembered/expected, but still a solid album with a lot of hits that paved the way for many concept albums after it. When I'm 64 is slept on, what a banger! There are a few duds in the middle but overall, hell yeah sergeant peepers.

this might be sacrilege but this album was fine. it's the bloody beatles, i know. but all their other albums are much better on the song front than this one. the best thing about this album is easily the cover art. there are some big singles, but there's also a ton of mediocre filler... and the worst part is when they pull out the sitar for ten minutes because they're super into that psychedelic-mysticism-cultural-appropriation nonsense this year. there's something about british men claiming indian culture for their own that feels so familiar, but i just can't put my finger on it... /s the title track and reprise are the only ones that really felt like the show/experience they were supposedly going for here (and maybe mr. kite but that's not a good song other than the part about henry the horse). otherwise it's just a slapdash compilation of disjointed songs, of which several made no impression on me whatsoever even after three full listens in the last 24 hours - getting better, she's leaving home, within you without you, and good morning good morning are the worst offenders here. but as we all know, the songs that are good are VERY good, and a real high water mark for the beatles' output. if only the rest of the album were on that level of quality... favorites: sgt. pepper's, friends, lucy, 64, sgt. pepper's reprise, a day in the life

Classic.

Ah yes, the beginnings of the greatest collaboration - Beatles and drugs. Given that they only had 4 track tapes, the production is astoundingly multi-faceted and stellar. Lennon's and McCartney's penmanship gets more abstract and intricate, the use of instruments that are not common in the anglosphere, esp. the sitar, is a welcome change of pace. I could do without a few pop elements, for example in the chorus of "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds". (Listened to 2017 remastering) Standout Tracks: She's Leaving Home, Within You and Without You, A Day in the Life, Good Morning Good Morning

C'était cool, j'ai bien aime Lucy in the Sky With the Diamonds.

还可以但是神

Most psychedelia albums feel so stuck in their era, this one transcends it.

Hadn't listened fully in such a long time! Great timing after watching Beatles 64'. Really fun that When I am Sixty-Four (v McCartney-esque) comes after the experimentation of Within You. Obviously one of the first concept album as well, honestly what could The Beatles not do She's Leaving Home is sadder than I remembered The fact that A Day in the Life is the last song after the world of imagination displayed beforehand is actually crazy

I like Revolver more---it's more focused. However, I like this one because it has my favorite Beatles track on it ("A Day in the Life"). The differences in vision between the members becomes more obvious here, although not to the degree that it does on The White Album. My big issue with this one is not the album at all, but is instead the way it is thought about. Many rock bands tried to make "Our Sgt. Pepper's" and many really shouldn't have. They were trying to make their big artistic statement, but this lost the audience and was a lot of why rock ceded influence to hip hop.

An incredible 3 songs to start off the album. Enjoyed the Indian/sitar influence on some of the songs too. Again, not the Beatles best album but still a damn good one. 8.25/10 (4.125/5)

I have listened to this one before but not for some time. On first listen I was only invested in a number of the singles which I would include in some of my favourite Beatles songs. By the third listen I was finding a new found respect for a number of other songs that I’d probably previously thought of as album fillers and not that great. The album as a whole was much better than I had remembered. Ok so it’s not perfect and a couple of songs let the side down a bit but overall it’s definitely a good album.

Only 4 years after love me do and holding hands and the Beatles have adopted an alter ego and are writing Psychedelic rock songs inspired by Indian spirituality and LSD! There’s the usual fluctuations in quality, but somehow as a concept record it works well here. Top track: A day in the life, which is an awesome song.

Here we go again, another overrated Beatles album. Strong first 3 songs, followed by the usual collection of average songs, and a cracker to finish on. Unusually the Harrison song is the real bum note, and there’s of course the standard McCartney stupid tune (When I’m 64, I’m looking at you). To be honest, all their latter career albums feel so disjointed, it really does show that different members are writing different parts. Is this album really better than other psych/concept albums of around the same time, like S.F Sorrow or Ogden’s, no it isn’t. Now burn me for heresy you bastards……

You can't deny this helped change the world of music, most of it good, lengthy prog rock concept lbums aside. A few turkeys but they can be excused with a day in the life.

Väldigt ojämn skiva. När det är bra är det riktigt bra. Som de tre första låtarna och When I am 64. Sen är det annat som bara är onödigt. With in you.. Varför? Jag hade väntat mig mer av världens bästa popband.

Lite besviken. Trodde detta skulle vara en bättre skiva. Innehåller så mycket ploj och trams. Det här "psykedeliska" soundet är så ....inte jättebra. Blir oerhört snabbt tröttsamt. Pendlat fram och tillbaka mellan, "fy" och "det är ok". Bästa låten är "with a little help...". Känner noll sug att lyssna mer på detta. Landar på en trea, men inte givet.

Inte lyssnat speciellt mycket på Beatles. Tycker den börjar bra de tre första låtarna, men därefter blir det gradvis sämre, lite tråkigt och plojigt. Har t ex väldigt svårt för When I’m sixty four som bara låter tramsig och töntig. Blir en trea på totalen då jag inte förstår den påstådda storheten med denna.

Sgt Pepper's is echt een parel. Begin en einde zo briljant.

This was such an easy album to rate. An instant 5/5

It's a good album - lots of classic tunes (With a Little Help From My Friends, When I'm 64, A Day in the Life) - but it doesn't deserve the mythical status conferred upon it by so many. There are better Beatles albums out there - the ones immediately before and after, for example.

Hier kun je niet neutraal aan beginnen. Ik ken lang niet elk nummer op dit album, maar natuurlijk weet ik wel hoe massief de voetafdruk is die deze plaat in het muzieklandschap heeft achtergelaten, inclusief heerlijke complottheorie over de mogelijk overleden en vervangen ome Paul. Alles hieraan is iconisch, haast mythisch. En daarom had ik zin om dit album hier te treffen. Ik had eigenlijk verwacht dat het dan ook alleen maar kon tegenvallen, maar toch is dat niet het geval. Je kunt dit album gewoon een keer aanzetten en lekker luisteren, maar je kan het als je wil ook compleet uit gaan zitten pluizen. Want de meeste tracks zitten echt goed in elkaar, en er gebeurt vanalles wat je amper door hebt. Simpel genoeg om casual even aan te zetten, ingewikkeld genoeg als je er echt voor gaat zitten. Luisterplezier, diepgang en technisch vernuft. Ik ga echt niet elke dag Beatles luisteren en er zijn ook albums die ik liever draai dan deze, maar desondanks verdient dit album wel de vijf volle punten.

I, like many, knew a bunch of these songs, and knew as soon as I saw it that I would rate this album pretty high. Whether this is nostalgia or musical tastes, deserving or not, is obviously subjective. Couple new tracks to me.. I’m not an expert in the Beatles catalog but this album seems to mark a stylistic shift in their music, moving towards the psychedelic and expanding influences.

Psychedelic rock with a pop flourish. Very few bands could pull it off like these guys did.

So inventive and so much fun to sing along to. Very difficult to top, and yet I think they did - twice!

I'm still not a huge Beatles fan. And this album doesn't have my favorite songs. But I'm still going to rate it 4*, based on Day in the Life, mostly. I also didn't realize With a Little Help From My Friends was written by Ringo. Props to Mr. Starr. Plus, I'm sure the album had an outsized influence on most music that came after it.

Overall liked the Beatles prior to this though haven’t properly listened to their albums before now. I enjoy the mix of instruments used. Definitely something I’d wake up to.. in a good way. Good mix of upbeat and calm. Being for the Benefit of Mister Kite! sounds like it was sound by a barbershop quartet, which I mean is pretty accurate. A lot of psychedelic charm to it, I find it fascinating. Favorite- A Day in The Life (Felt like a sort of theatrical performance. Very cool very awesome). Least Favorite- Within You Without You (Sorry! Look, it’s not really a song I’d always be in the mood for. I think it’s good but something about it… I don't know? Too much psychedelics for my liking). Honorable Mentions- Lucy in The Sky With Diamonds, Being for the Benefit of Mister Kite, and Good Morning Good Morning

I have nothing new or interesting to say about this. 4/5

Classic timeless album, great selection of songs.

It is difficult to overstate just how revolutionary this album is. In just 4 years the Beatles had gone from a jangly boy band playing enthusiastic covers of American R&B songs to producing records of unprecedented depth and imagination. This album mixes rock and roll with surrealism, music hall with poignant kitchen sink dramas, Indian mysticism with farm animals. The final track ends with a huge crescendo that still stops me in my tracks. FabFour-tastic!

A few years before that the Beatles were just a bunch of white British guys doing covers of rhythm & blues hits; in a couple of years they turned out to be at the forefront of music, experimenting, creating, expending music horizons. This album is arguably not perfect, but it's packed with ideas and sounds and as the second part of their discography, decades of music unfold from this.

Lucy und die Hilfe ihrer Freunde .. der Rest ist nett und clean und Beatles.

Da ist wieder mal eine Platte der meist überschätzten Band aller Zeiten. Einige Songs kennt man halt aber zum Glück immer weniger.

Just great.

No

One of the best albums of all time. Every track is classic. Have a cd and vinyl. Will always be in my collection.

As close to perfection as you can get. In fact, it IS perfection!

Some good songs, some not so good

this is just a great album

I’ve listened a few times. Still meh

Classic. First Beatles album without Paul McCartney. He died in a car accident and his cousin, Billy Shears, took over his persona.

I am brave enough to tell it like it is. Most overrated album in The Beatles catalog even though it ends with arguably their best song. 4 stars! I said it.

Looking at the track list this album is perhaps just a solid record. But put it in its own time, it is genre defining, ahead of it's time, a timeless classic. And listening to it (again) it's still SO good.

Super album

No more Beatles I beg

When I was growing up, this was regarded as undisputedly the greatest album of all time. I can remember it soundtracking many a journey in my parents car. Does it still have that status? Hard to say What is definitely still a fact is that it is packed with ideas, covers an insanely broad spectrum of genres, and there isn’t a bad track on it

So many incredible songs on here but also a couple of duds. Still sounds remarkably modern now I think about it. Production quality hasn't gone down at all, or at least doesn't seem any lesser comparing to modern music. George's sitar song is a miss, Mr. Kite is strange but not intriguingly so, and Good Morning is . . . I know I didn't like it but I don't even remember why. All in all, great album dragged down by a couple duds.

great but at one point got wayyyy too much hype

Lovely

Sgt Peppers Lonely Hearts Club Band - huge energy and brass/crowd sounds, amazing intro!!! With a little help from my friends - melodic, catchy, beautiful instruments, drums, warmth Lucy in the sky with diamonds - melodic, dreamy, beautiful, “a girl with kaleidoscope eyes” powerful chorus Getting better - amazing clangy guitar and claps, i got to admit its getting better, guitar, bass and drums Fixing a hole - beautiful guitar and acapella Shes leaving home - strong story and sweet voices amazing split chorus Being for the benefit of mr kite - very fun, great pace and tone “and of course henry the horse dances rhe waltz”😂 With you without you - melodic, drums, dilruba, sitar, beautiful instruments When im sixty four - fun, almost comedic and catchy Lovely Rita - beautiful Good morning good morning - fun and energetic, rooster and birds, cat and dog, horses, animals St peppers lonely hearts club band reprise - perfect beginning to the end of the album A day in the life - one of the best songs ever made - “id looove to turn youuu onnnn”, dreamy, powerful, beautiful

A classic no doubt and one of the most influential and experimental albums of all time. Not my favorite Beatles album, but a very good one nonetheless, A Day in the Life is one of my favorite Beatles songs, I have a poster of this album hanging above my bed lol. Also popularized the idea of a concept album.

🐐

Classic album. Strong start, dips slightly in the middle. Some of Paul's contribution such as She's Leaving Home and When I'm Sixty Four feel a bit too playful.

A classic

Classic.

What is there to say about this album that hasn't been said before? This album is STILL the most sold album in UK history. Additionally, it is also the most returned album of all time because no one expected it and it was unlike anything done by anyone before. This is also the first album I ever owned on vinyl. This album is the start (in my opinion) of when the band went from being led mostly by John Lennon to being led mostly by Paul McCartney. The Beatles could no longer tour (because it was too dangerous because of fans) so they decided to become a studio only band. Paul decides they should create the first ever concept album where they all have alter egos and they aren't "The Beatles" anymore. They are "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band." And what better way to kick that off then to have a song introducing this fictional band and then introducing the fictional front man "The One and Only Billy Shears" aka Ringo Starr. So we come up with a fictional band with fictional band member names and roles and that is how we can let Ringo be the lead lolol (jk jk this is an exaggeration and oversimplification. Ringo had sang lead before and everyone in the band loved him.) We get the opening track sung by Paul, then "With a Little Help From My Friends" sung by Ringo, and then "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" sung by John. Later, "Within You Without You" sung by George. I just love how in the Beatles while MOST songs get credited to Lennon-McCartney and one of them sings lead most of the time, any member can sing and have their role expanded at any time. I will say... "Within You Without You" is just not for me...I think it is a good track and can be entertaining, but it is the only song off this album that is not saved to my downloaded songs. To be fair, George's best work is still yet to come (I'm looking at you "Here Comes the Sun"). Every other song on this album is a certified banger. I think "She's Leaving Home" is such a tragically beautiful song and I love it so much. I would be wrong in not talking about one of my favorite Beatles tracks of all time - "A Day In the Life." It's so perfect. The fact that Paul had a half written song "Woke up, fell out of bed / Dragged a combo across my head" and John Lennon had about 3/4 of a song written "I read the news today, oh boy / ... / He blew his mind out in a car / He didn't notice that the lights had changed." And they both sing lead in this song on the parts they had written before combining them. God...this song sends chills down my spine and the fact that they decided to combine the two ideas....mastery. It just works so well. And that final chord....wow. "When I'm Sixty Four" and "Lovely Rita" get blasted sometimes for being filler songs and I don't know...I think they are so good and are like nods to their earlier styles of music. The Beatles get more refined and polished later, but Sgt. Pepper's is maybe their height of creativity (and wasn't toooo far out there yet). My top 3 Beatles albums pretty much move around and could be in any order based on the time of day lol, but Sgt. Pepper's is DEFINITELY always in that top 3. Liked Songs: All of them except "Within You Without You"

liked songs: With A Little Help From My Friends, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Within You Without You There's a huge range on this album. Some stuff is really interesting and creative, and some of the songs I found to be very rudimentary. 2.5

A lot of people think of this record when they think of the word "album" The strange thing is that the first two songs sound like an album closer. Within You Without You into When Im 64 is a personal favorite beatles moment for me both songs are so fun. Now is this a 5 outta 5? No. But its making the case for it. a couple of tracks with a little less punch than the rest. Still, it deserves much of the generational hype.

We don't tolerate Beatles slander in this house. I'll hear out negative opinions, but they are easily a top 10 band all-time. This album is experimental but accessible. Unique and incredibly well crafted. There's a bit of a lull in the back half (before the final 2 songs), but I think part of that is just how great the album starts, too. Favorite Song(s): Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds, She's Leaving Home, A Day in the Life

It would be a crime to give it a 4, though it doesn't quite reach 5 for me. I wish we could give half marks here. Anyway, this is not even in my top 3 Beatles albums, but it's iconic and deserves all the praise it gets. As for me, it's perhaps a bit too eclectic to really get into it. The mix of different influences and genres feels a bit jarring at times. I do think the 1-7 track run is epic, though. 4.5 stars, rounding up

One of the best albums ever made by the best band ever. One of my fondest childhood memories is listening to this in the car with my oldest brother. It will always hold such a special place for me.

yes

Pas mon album préféré des Beatles, malgré le concept innovateur et l’exploration musicale. Je connecte moins avec les textes et l’ambiance. Par contre, A Day in the Life en finale est magistrale

The GOAT. Honestly if I had to pick the greatest album of all time it would be this.

It doesn't get better.

As a complete album, this one is a gem. I know some people will naysay about a song or two but they all fit together completely.

Masterpiece. Favourite tracks are A Day In The Life and Sgt Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band Reprise. Rest of the album is brilliant too 5/5

Apart from the title track, the rest were more mellow Beatles, but this was great overall. Stand-out: With a Little Help from My Friends

An absolute favorite. Both in music and cover art.

4.5

Started string with singles I've known and heard frequently. Starts getting a little bizarre in a fun way (Mr. Kite), then bizarre in a bit great way. Finished off ok.

been a rough couple weeks and "with a little help from my friends" did a lot for me. so there you go, four stars

full of memorable hits, a great album verging on 5 stars though a couple steps below Revolver

dont need to say much

Enjoyed every note and especially enjoyed the sequencing of the tracks.

I mean- I mean- words can hardly describe the ecstasy I felt whilst listening to this album. It’s an absolute classic, and just a treat from a musical standpoint. I have so many good memories with this album and I can actually understand the lyrics now that I’ve listened to it on Spotify and not a cassette player

Genius. Hard to believe they did this in 1967.

More than any other album Sgt Pepper's changed rock and roll forever. It is the demarcation line between the black and white of early rock and the technicolor music that would follow. The production of the album still holds up and it remains a great listen. While not my favorite Beatles album to listen to it certainly is the most important rock album ever made.

i have grown up on the beatles and ive always loved them. i think this album is rlly different from the rest of their classic stuff but i do enjoy it. their songs have a certain hopefulness to them. really love how upbeat and dancey the songs are. feel like the beatles really experimented and stepped outside the box with this one and i really enjoyed it

It’s the sgt pepper lonely heard clubs band ! While Not my fav Beatle, this album is beautiful. She’s leaving home is brilliant , a day in life didn’t lick with me as much . Most other songs are really fun , def enjoyed the thestry ones the most out the rest .. I’m sure I’ll have a couple of 5 Beatles albums ( revolver) but this one is just a tad below

Хорош

It's a great Beatles album. The middle lacks a little but overall solid and a good listen.

Familiarity sometimes breeds taking songs for granted, but to hear them in sequence reveals how brilliantly one follows on from another and every one of them is five star.

This is where the boys really let loose. I know people have liked it less over the years in comparison to the later era works but this one is still and essential classic from the fab 4.

I haven't listened to this album in decades! Brilliant, innovative (for the time) stuff. 5 stars!!!!

Suprisingly lovely time

(4.32)⭐

This must be the third Beatles album to appear here and as I said before: Anything by the Beatles is automatically a 5-star rating! After all, the Beatles were my first love. It was how I learned to listen to and love music. However, this album has a special place in my heart. It was one of the first albums I listened to from start to finish in my life, at a time when I had just discovered that the best way to consume music is through albums. If I search my memory, I can tell a different story involving each of the songs on this album. Leaving aside the emotional memory for a moment, there is nothing wrong with this album. Although everyone knows that this is a masterpiece conceived by Paul, who brought the entire concept and aesthetics of the album, some of the best compositions of his career and the most revolutionary bass lines in history, we cannot forget the fundamental roles of John Lennon, who also brought some of his best compositions and, in my opinion, the best vocal performances of his career. George brought the impeccable Indian psychedelic sound to Within Without You and Ringo Starr, often labeled as the least talented Beatle, showed in his performances on this album why he is one of the most revolutionary drummers of all time. Ringo is like the beating heart of this band and, on top of everything, he brought us the unforgettable performance of With A Little Help From My Friends. I repeated the word "revolutionary" a few times while writing this review and for good reason. Revolutionary is the correct word to describe this album. I don't think I said anything in this review that hasn't already been said by millions of people over almost 60 years. But I make a promise here: I am currently 23 years old and as long as I live, I will spread the Beatles' music and pass it on to future generations. I will introduce the Beatles to my children, grandchildren, great-grandchildren, and even my great-grandchildren's children if possible, until my last breath. And this will be the first album I will always recommend!

Cool concept album where the concept is what if the Beatles were a band

Two songs about drugs by track 3 and then a song that starts by bitching about teachers... I never realized how much this album gives off the vibe of that 14-year-old girl who got drunk once while on vacation in Italy with her parents and then won't ever stop talking about her wine preferences. We get it. You did drugs. Still, this was a fun listen.

Dressed like four foppish admirals and dosed on LSD, the Beatles take on cabaret music and jam with an orchestra. I don’t want to hear anyone call Sonic Youth “pretentious” ever again. Nothing they ever did, except *maybe* NYC Ghosts and Flowers, even comes close to reaching the levels of ostentatiousness that are on display here. If you own and love this dumb record, your right to label anything “pretentious” is hereby revoked.

A bit boring... but it was interesting recognising a bunch of the songs from covers. My favourite track was the Reprise, much more upbeat, rock tone. I don't really have anything else to say about this album. It was fine, and I liked some of the tracks. No issues

2 stars. I liked 2 songs, being: Getting better and a day in life. I just think the beatles as a band is generally boring and overrated, they were the first, but because of that they don't do anything that others do better. Its just the most basic form of the genre, that just makes them not hit ngl. It was original, but in today world, they dont do anything orignal compared to better artists. The album wasn't bad, it was alright, just nothing special so 2 stars. Worse than average as only 2 songs I liked.

pre: I haven't listened to this in years, but probably because it's the one I played the most when I was much younger. I can sing most of these songs by heart, and have memories of my Dad singing some of them to me. I'm going to listen to it, but it's going to be a 5 No notes

Oh great another Beatles album… It’s fine, I think everyone knows at least a few of these songs. As I’ve said before I’m just not a big Beatles guy. So it goes.

Oh man. This one is overrated. It’s fine - I’m not going to slag it just for being overplayed/hyped. The songs are ingrained in all of us. BUT, the northern soul and Indian bits were already there from Rubber Soul. The more technical bits - 4 track becoming 8 (or 16?) tracks via mixdown magic happened on Revolver. Jimi’s version of Sgt Pepper is better. I’m not a fan of the bloated orchestra extras on Mr Kite or 64. Also, I think I prefer the tempo on the Sgt Pepper Reprise. Decay at the end of A Day in the Life is cool though.

What an album. I have always loved this from my first listen 30 years ago to now. You couldnt make ths album better. From a Beatles perspective it can only be beaten by Revolver Getting better, a day in the life and Lucy in the sky with diamonds are perfect songs. Favourite song: All of them Least favourite: Everything is perfect Album artwork: Iconic labum cover

8/10

Certainly in the Top 3 Beatles records. As much as I dislike Paul, and make no mistake this is a Paul album - I don’t know if there’s anything to quibble about with it.

Psychedelic Beatles is the best version of the Beatles

There's been a ton written about everything the Beatles have done, so I'm not going to try to rehash all that here, but I didn't really know the history of them that well so a quick recap from what I gathered. This is album #8 of theirs, and it was right around their shift from a touring band to a studio band. Beatlemania was at its peak and it was so crazy that you literally couldn't hear the music at most of their shows. Between that, a number of protests they faced (including from US religious conservatives), and their increasing studio experimentation, they decided to quit touring and become a studio band only. While they were wildly popular already, most of their higher-regarded albums today are from the studio part of their career, and this album is also considered to be when a lot of critics agreed that rock music can also be a legitimate art form. Paul McCartney was also really coming into his genius at this point too, and he had this idea for a song from an alter ego Edwardian military band. The theory seems to be that this album is meant to be from another band, which takes some of the perceived constraints of being a "Beatles" album away from them. Admittedly the concept gets a little hazy in the middle of the album (they seem to move away from it pretty quickly), but it's an interesting bit. There's part of me that's like, do I just like this because it has the Beatles name on it. And, you know what, maybe. I think sometimes they can sound just slightly underwhelming today, until you realize it's underwhelming because they created all this in the first place and everyone copied them afterwards. It's a really consistent album, it's not the tightest concept in the world but I see what they were getting at, there's so much rich instrumentation, it's really solid overall. This is my third Beatles album on here, and I think it's above Meet the Beatles! but a little below the White Album to me. This on is a whole lot tighter of a piece of work than the White Album, but I think it has more standout songs to me (while admittedly being a bit ridiculous at times). Two other things to discuss here. First, while this album has less hits than some of their others, "A Day in the Life" might just be my new favorite Beatles song. The second to last song on here is a reprise of the opener "Sgt Pepper's..." song, and then after that it rolls into "A Day in the Life". The theory is that the reprise was them ending their "performance" as the alter ego, and then the last song is back to them as the Beatles. I'm not sure if I really have a thought about that, but this last song is just incredible. It's sad and striking, and big and just incredible. I had like a bit of a jaw-drop moment when I heard it for the first time here, incredible song. A perfect example of the Lennon-McCartney songwriting combination works to perfection. Second, you get some of the Beatles India inspiration on here on "Within You Without You". Personally I feel like it's a bit of an odd choice on here, but it is what it is. Third, the cover is iconic, I have nothing interesting to say but it's worth noting. Lastly, I didn't realize that the Beatles didn't put songs that they released as singles on albums, so they have a bunch of famous songs that are not on any of their studio albums. "Strawberry Fields Forever" was the big single that was released between Revolver and this, so it's not on here but is spiritually in the realm of this album. Favorite song: A Day In The Life Other: Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band, With A Little Help From My Friends, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds, Getting Better, Fixing A Hole, She's Leaving Home, For The Benefit Of Mr. Kite!, Within You Without You, When I'm Sixty-Four, Lovely Rita, Good Morning Good Morning 11/7/24

30000

Easy 5 stars: iconic

In which a metamorphosis occurs, seemingly almost in real-time. Young players become mature artists. Hokey pop takes a psychedelic turn. The end of the 60s is foreshadowed, even while that decade is barely starting to peak (a peak both created and destroyed by this record as much as anything). The band cements its status as giga-stars while at the same time renouncing the accompanying circus. All while playing the meta game of literally creating the circus. I feel slightly mad not giving this a 5 but I reckon that even though on cultural impact, this is a 5 all day, there are better albums, and even some better records by the Beatles. It's hard to listen afresh, as it is a pillar of my early childhood. It's phenomenal, it's just that I no longer feel a drive to listen to it very often.

Contrary to popular opinion, I did not think this was their best album.

Listened to it on the drive home, I couldn’t differentiate between the nursery rhymes. Might have pepper in the name, but it was as bland as a 1 year olds porridge.