1001 Albums Summary

This album from The Police packs a punch, especially considering it's just three dudes making a consistent wall of sound on several tracks! Stewart Copeland's drumming is tight as hell, and the whole rhythm section really brings it throughout the record. But let's be real - the album's got its issues. A bunch of tracks feel like they're not quite done cookin and give the impression they threw in some demos to fill space. On the album's length, it kills the momentum created by the most solid tracks. "Message in a Bottle", for instance, is a great song which pass the test of time. That intro riff? Still catchy as ever, even after all these years. Only issue? It opens the album and from there on you have this feeling of sliding down with no song catching up to the level of this intro. Overall, it's a mixed bag. A great song, some really good but also too many fillers to ignore.

What's left to say ?"Abbey Road" stands as a remarkable finale to the Beatles's illustrious career, showcasing both their musical evolution and the enduring brilliance that defined the band. The album opens with a powerful one-two punch: John Lennon's "Come Together" and Paul McCartney's "Something," two iconic tracks that exemplify the songwriters' distinct styles and growth. These openers set a high bar for what's to come. Unfortunately ,the album's momentum falters with "Maxwell's Silver Hammer" (Why ? Why this song?) This quirky number, along with the somewhat conventional "Oh! Darling" and Ringo Starr's "Octopus's Garden," creates a momentary lull that might lead the worried listener to fear an industrial accident for the band's ultimate release. Fortunately, doubts are dispelled as the proto-heavy metal, Santana-esque intro of "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" kicks in. This track marks a turning point, ushering in a series of musical wonders that carry the album to its conclusion. The crown jewel of "Abbey Road" is undoubtedly its medley, a masterful interweaving of John and Paul's compositions that serves as a fitting epitaph to the band's career. This sequence of interconnected songs showcases The Beatles at their collaborative best, with each member's contributions shining through in a harmonious blend of creativity and musicianship. "Abbey Road" is a testament to The Beatles' enduring legacy. Despite a few "questionable" inclusions ( feel free to replace questionable by the term you'll find more appropriate), the album's strengths far outweigh its weaknesses in my opinion and stands as a great album and a perfect conclusion to the band's journey. 4,5 stars that gets the rounding to 5.

Probably the perfect example of what the '80s had the worst to offer. Production is horrible; I only hope they were experimenting with digital, which might be the only acceptable excuse for this completely flat sound. For the rest, blatant cultural appropriation by a middle-aged folk singer who doesn't know if he should try to put an effort into singing some tunes or just do some white man slam. Lyrics are dull as hell, nothing to save here, just move along, folks.