Forty years ago today... does Abbey Road still hold up? (Abbey Road - The Beatles)

Member Name: Sharpishglass

Product:	Abbey Road - The Beatles
Date:	13/08/09 (11 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: George Harrison's strongest songs yet, Come Together, the long medley is joyous

Disadvantages: Maxwell's Silver Hammer is unfortunate...

Seeing as the 40 year anniversary of the record has just passed, the time seems fit for a reappraisal of the Beatles' swansong, Abbey Road.
Released in 1969, Abbey Road was actually the last album by the band, and as such one can choose to read its contents accordingly. For instance, the long medley that dominates the second half the record, where small vignettes flow into a coherent whole, or the Beatles first use of synthesisers on songs such as Because have been held up by fans as possible indicators of where the band woud've gone next had they not broke up. George Harrison finally coming into his own as a songwriter, contributing two songs ('Something' and 'Here Comes the Sun') that could stand proudly among the offerings from Lennon and McCartney makes the record possibly their most consistent.
Put simply, this is perhaps the Beatles most beautiful album. To these ears, their most summery and soulful sound, and a prime reminder of the dominant force they were in music.

Summary: The most beautiful and carefree sound the Beatles ever committed to tape.