Top 5 Beatles Albums
A list of the five greatest Beatles albums, in the opinion of one fan.The Beatles released more than 25 albums during their celebrated career, and each fan has his/her favourites. Nevertheless, this was a difficult list to write, and I am sure a lot of people would disagree with it. All five albums below are fabulous, as are a few other Beatles albums that I didn't include, such as 'Rubber Soul', 'A Hard Day's Night' and 'Abbey Road'.
1. Revolver. The hugely successful and critically acclaimed 'Revolver', released in 1966, marked a new stage of experimentation in the band's career. The songs here are among the most challenging and powerful the Beatles created throughout their decade together. The dark, but sentimental 'Eleanor Rigby' fully qualifies as a masterpiece, as does the trippy and innovative 'Tomorrow Never Knows'.
2. The Beatles (White Album). The Beatles' 1968 self-titled album, instantly recognisable by its white cover, may not be the band's most consistent work, but its charm and energy are without equal. The album is colourful, eclectic and, at times, surreal. My favourite songs on 'The White Album' are the hard-rocking 'Helter Skelter' and George Harrison's emotional ballad 'While My Guitar Gently Weeps'.
3. Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Believed by many to be the greatest album of all time (the greatest concept album, in my opinion), 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band' revolutionised pop music. The magic of songs like 'Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds' and 'A Day in the Life' just refuses to wear out, even after hundreds of listens.
4. Help! Released in 1965, 'Help!' features Paul McCartney's wonderful broken-hearted ballad 'Yesterday', as well as a slew of other great songs, such as 'Ticket to Ride' and 'You've Got to Hide Your Love Away'. It's not a groundbreaking album in the Beatles discography, but otherwise has all the qualities of a pop classic.
5. Magical Mystery Tour. Released just after 'Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band', 'Magical Mystery Tour' continues in the same vein and features a wealth of hits, including the hugely popular 'All You Need Is Love'. My highlights for this soundtrack album are, however, the delightful 'Strawberry Fields Forever' and the achingly beautiful 'The Fool on the Hill'.