The last Beatles album to be recorded (although Let It Be was the last to be released), Abbey Road was a fitting swan song for the group, echoing some of the faux-conceptual forms of Sgt. Pepper, but featuring stronger compositions and more rock-oriented ensemble work. The group was still pushing forward in all facets of its art, whether devising some of the greatest harmonies to be heard on any rock record (especially on "Because"), constructing a medley of songs/vignettes that covered much of side two, adding subtle touches of Moog synthesizer, or crafting furious guitar-heavy rock ("The End," "I Want You (She's So Heavy)," "Come Together"). George Harrison also blossomed into a major songwriter, contributing the buoyant "Here Comes the Sun" and the supremely melodic ballad "Something," the latter of which became the first Harrison-penned Beatles hit. Whether Abbey Road is the Beatles' best work is debatable, but it's certainly the most immaculately produced (with the possible exception of Sgt. Pepper) and most tightly constructed. ~ Richie Unterberger, All Music Guide
Track List
(try tracks 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8,9,10,11 and 12)
This album is up there with Dark Side of the Moon, Exile On Main Street, Goodbye Yellow Brick Road, Born to Run, and Who's Next. These albums demand multiple listenings. "Abbey Road" is a work of art because, among other things, it has several repeated themes. For instance, the looping guitar phrase from "She's So Heavy" is repeated in a slightly different key (and a harpsichord sound) at the beginning of "Because." And the "You Never Give Me Your Money"'s theme comes back in "Carry That Weight.
You guys like this album but Paul and John weren't that happy about Beatles' things at the time. As their writing got stronger, their tension caused them to erroneously believe their songs were weaker.
The first half of the album is a bit weak, but is held together by Lennon's classic Beatle song "Come Together". What makes Abbey Road a masterpiece is the second half of the album which contains the legendary rock medley. From "Mean Mr. Mustard" to "The End" you will get a truly awesome Beatles rock out.