I think because of the massive amount of attention that is given to this album's so called "historical significance" that sometimes not enough attention is given to the music itself. I hope to correct that imbalance with this review which focuses entirely on the album's 13 tracks.
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This is a brilliant way to start the album and it really sets the mood for the entire thing. The "concept" of the album is really quite loose, without this song there is no concept album! One thing I really dig about this song is the crazy horns section. Can you imagine many "rock bands" of today having the imagination to include something like that in their song?
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - The perfect song for Ringo Starr to sing. John Lennon & Paul McCartney wrote this song together specifically for Ringo to sing which I think makes the great lyrics all that much greater (think of them in that context.)
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - Now that the original mono version is available easily (with the release of The Beatles in Mono Box Set) it's great to be able to hear what this album sounds like in mono (how it was "meant to be heard" originally.) And the heavy vocal effects on this song is probably one of the more interesting things about the mono mixes for me.
04. "Getting Better" - This song so perfectly encapsulates the sound of this album and what it's all about to me.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - Tracks 4 through 6 are a beautiful slice of McCartney magic and I think this is actually my favorite of that great trio of songs.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - Another great reason to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set. This song sounds faster and higher (by a semitone) in the mono version. It's a treat to hear!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - What a deliciously weird song this is. It's brilliant how "far out" this album takes you. It's like a journey to different parts of the world (and certainly there is time traveling involved as well.)
08. "Within You Without You" - This is a song that gets a lot of hate by a lot of people and that makes me sad. It makes me feel like they don't really "get it." This song is an essential part of what makes this album so brilliant.
09. "When I'm 64" - Check out this song sequencing. We went from a 1800s circus to India to do some meditating and now we're enjoying ourselves this very tongue in cheek music hall number. So many differnet styles of music are explored on this album, and they are all done brilliantly.
11. "Lovely Rita" - I have to admit that tracks #10 and #11 are probably my least favorites on the album. But considering I quite like both of those tracks, that says a lot about how much I love this album.
11. "Good Morning Good Morning" - There's some interesting time changes in this one. I also love the Jimi Hendrix style guitar leads by Paul McCartney.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's (Reprise)" - This one is even better than the album opener. It rocks something fierce!
13. "A Day in the Life" - In my opinion this is the best song ever written. An absolutely epic way to end the album.
01. "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" - This is a brilliant way to start the album and it really sets the mood for the entire thing. The "concept" of the album is really quite loose, without this song there is no concept album! One thing I really dig about this song is the crazy horns section. Can you imagine many "rock bands" of today having the imagination to include something like that in their song?
02. "With a Little Help from my Friends" - The perfect song for Ringo Starr to sing. John Lennon & Paul McCartney wrote this song together specifically for Ringo to sing which I think makes the great lyrics all that much greater (think of them in that context.)
03. "Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds" - Now that the original mono version is available easily (with the release of The Beatles in Mono Box Set) it's great to be able to hear what this album sounds like in mono (how it was "meant to be heard" originally.) And the heavy vocal effects on this song is probably one of the more interesting things about the mono mixes for me.
04. "Getting Better" - This song so perfectly encapsulates the sound of this album and what it's all about to me.
05. "Fixing a Hole" - Tracks 4 through 6 are a beautiful slice of McCartney magic and I think this is actually my favorite of that great trio of songs.
06. "She's Leaving Home" - Another great reason to get The Beatles in Mono Box Set. This song sounds faster and higher (by a semitone) in the mono version. It's a treat to hear!
07. "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite" - What a deliciously weird song this is. It's brilliant how "far out" this album takes you. It's like a journey to different parts of the world (and certainly there is time traveling involved as well.)
08. "Within You Without You" - This is a song that gets a lot of hate by a lot of people and that makes me sad. It makes me feel like they don't really "get it." This song is an essential part of what makes this album so brilliant.
09. "When I'm 64" - Check out this song sequencing. We went from a 1800s circus to India to do some meditating and now we're enjoying ourselves this very tongue in cheek music hall number. So many differnet styles of music are explored on this album, and they are all done brilliantly.
11. "Lovely Rita" - I have to admit that tracks #10 and #11 are probably my least favorites on the album. But considering I quite like both of those tracks, that says a lot about how much I love this album.
11. "Good Morning Good Morning" - There's some interesting time changes in this one. I also love the Jimi Hendrix style guitar leads by Paul McCartney.
12. "Sgt. Pepper's (Reprise)" - This one is even better than the album opener. It rocks something fierce!
13. "A Day in the Life" - In my opinion this is the best song ever written. An absolutely epic way to end the album.
About the Author:
In order to hear Sgt. Pepper's in mono you must buy The Beatles In Mono. It's highly recommend that you buy both Beatles Remastered Box Sets.