Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band

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Editorial reviews

Amazon.co.uk Review
Before iSgt. Pepper's/i, no one seriously thought of rock music as actual art. That all changed in 1967, though, when John, Paul, George and Ringo (with "A Little Help" from their friend, producer George Martin) created an undeniable work of art which remains, after 3-plus decades, one of the most influential albums of all time. From Lennon's evocative word/sound pictures (the trippy "Lucy in the Sky With Diamonds", the carnival-like "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite") and McCartney's music hall-styled "When I'm 64", to Harrison's Eastern-leaning "Within You Without You", and the avant-garde mini-suite, "A Day in the Life", iSgt. Pepper's/i was a milestone for both 1960s music and popular culture in general. i--Billy Altman/i

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Customer reviews

review by: date: 2009-06-01 rating:
You must own this album.
The term 'must-have' when applied to music is an overused and old cliché, but when it comes to this album, it is absolutely true. Anyone who hasn't heard this album is not only missing out on an inspired and memorable piece of 60's pop; they are missing out on one of rock music's very finest masterpieces. From the second the crowd sounds begin on the first track to the final colourful explosion of sound at the end of the final track this is encapsulated genius. Opening with those crowd sounds and killer drums, the title track is a brilliantly spunky war cry. After two minutes it melts into Ringo's well known solo number about the importance of friendship; while Joe Cocker's soulful version was arguably better, this remains an influential and joyous number in its own right. br / br /Starting with dreamy synthesizer and Lennon's spookily sped-up vocals, Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds captures the psychedelia and the experimentation of the late 60's quite perfectly. Getting Better brings the album back to the bluesy, plucky guitars and honest lyrics of track no.2. Fixing A Hole starts on a surreal note with harpsichords and McCartney singing about fixing holes in the ocean - not as immediate as the other tracks, it remains a highlight on the album thanks to the guitar solo in the middle. br / br /She's Leaving Home is Sgt. Pepper at its melancholic and lachrymose best, utterly British and hopeful in its message of teenage empowerment. Being For the Benefit of Mr Kite brings the circus to town, with a delightfully carnival-like middle section complete with neighing horses and a dramatic piano-banging to top it off. br / br /Within You Without You is Harrison's main contribution here; saturated with sitars and tablas it should be difficult to get into but because it is so different from the rest of the album it doesn't have to try hard to stand up on its own. And it is easy to see its influence on the rest of late 20th century rock and pop music. When I'm Sixty Four takes the LP back to the chirpy showtune sound that McCartney is well known for. And then Lovely Rita fills the ears with summery guitars and angelic choral chants, a truly lifting song. br / br /Good Morning Good Morning features animal sounds thanks to the influence that the Beach Boys exerted on Lennon; the chorus was inspired quite clearly by the Kelloggs cornflakes adverts of the time. It's fast and it's electric, one of the album's more danceable numbers. Before the memorable album closer comes a rehash of the title track, faster and more immediate. Again the influence on later rock music is easy to see. br / br /A Day In The Life has been hailed by many as Lennon McCartney's best ever joint composition. Lennon's mournful guitars and pianos and the orchestral movements which slowly but surely lead up to the upbeat, almost mockingly happy second part by McCartney make this all at once exciting, intriguing and as close to art as music can be. It is not just a fitting end to the album, it is the defining track of the Beatles' career as well as a signpost to what the 60's were really like. br / br /Obviously I love this album and I cannot heap enough praise on it. For those few people out there who are not Beatles fans, if you haven't listened to this album it is the one that stands the strongest chance of changing your mind. Buy it.

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review by: date: 2009-05-24 rating:
Really is the best Beatles albums
This is the best Beatles album, quite simply because every song is very good. Every other Beatles album has some duff tracks, this has none. That said, some of the songs could've been played in a better way eg When I'm 64, but with the Beatles lack of musicianship, they never did their best songs justice.

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review by: date: 2009-04-23 rating:
Remastered set coming!
THE album of the 60's, it moved the focus of pop music away from the single to the album, and an album that held together as a single piece of work, incorporating sounds into songs that would never before have been considered to be music. I remember the father of a girlfriend of mine getting really uptight when we used to play "She's leaving home". br /Hang on before you buy it however because there will be a full set of remastered Beatles albums issued in October 09 - That will be worth listening to!

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review by: date: 2009-03-08 rating:
Quite possibly the most overrated album of all time
Most Overrated albums of all time br / br /1. Sergeant Pepper (maybe it sounded great then, but it's clunky as hell now and not a patch on Revolver, Rubber Soul or The White Album) br /2. OK Computer (half a classic, half a dull bore) br /3. Definitely Maybe (warmed up mediocrity for the masses) br /


review by: date: 2009-02-21 rating:
Not The Best Beatles Album, But Still Stunning!
The best Beatles album to me is the White Album and Abbey Road, but don't let that put you off this fine piece of work. It's the most inventive the Beatles probably got, and saying that, there are true masterpieces on this album. A Day In The Life is just simply one of the greatest songs of all time, while the poppy songs such as Lovely Rita and With A Little Help From My Friends are just irresistable. Get it simply for the fact that it is just one of the reminders as to why The Beatles remain the greatest musical act of the past 100 years.

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