Not their first masterpiece album (I'd give that to A Hard Day's Night), but a huge leap forward from Help! in terms of songwriting depth, variety and maturity. My favourite Beatles album, maybe not their best, but it perfectly captures the magic and energy of their early days and the more heady later work, all while having an acoustic motown-y vibe all of its own. And the harmonies were at their best here, too. There's a warmth to this album. The only criticism I have is the closing track. If it had ended on We Can Work it Out or In My Life, it would've been perfect.