Magical Mystery Tour
by The Beatles

This is easily the Beatles' most overlooked release. Although glued together from some singles, and the film's soundtrack, Magical Mystery tour holds together. Although psychedelic like Sgt. Pepper's, Mystery Tour relies less on narrative and more on atmosphere. The heavy instrumentation of Strawberry Fields Forever, the druggy layers on Blue Jay Way. Even the straightforward ballads feel more put together than usual for a Beatles' LP. (Your Mother Should Know, Fool on the Hill). Even the title track (a less successful version of Sgt. Pepper's opener) and Flying (a simple instrumental) are solid. But when this album is good its amazing. Strawberry Fields, All you Need is Love, and I am a Walrus are not only some of the Beatles' best, but some of the greatest songs of all time.
P.S. I would recommend any Beatles fan get this record on vinyl. It comes with a large and gorgeous twenty page picture book.

From tgarritsen 10/11/2013 16:11 | #88217 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

In my opinion their most underrated album. There's not one song on the album that's average or bad. (Edited)

The final stop on the LSD train for the Beatles. Though thrown together for the release of the MMT film, Magical Mystery Tour is probably the most underrated Beatles albums. Many classics are on here.

Highlights: The Fool on the Hill, Strawberry Fields Forever

Amazing, flawless album! Far better than Sgt. Pepper (which is full of mediocre filler tracks)

From Crumpet 05/22/2018 00:26 | #215375 | TOP COMMENT Vote up your preferred comments and the comments with the most votes will be flagged.

As I grow older I have come to appreciate the Beatles much more than I ever did in my younger years. Though if you asked me today what my favourite bands from the 60s are, I would still give the same answers (Procol Harum or The Velvet Underground), the Beatles would also get a mention.

This record in particular is one that has grown on me, the psychedelic tunes and clearly drug inspired lyrics are an awful lot of fun. The opener is also the title track, an entertaining little opener that, while not as nearly good as Srg. Pepper, is really great in itself (much like the album, come to think of it). “The Fool on the Hill” isn’t a personal favourite, but it is undeniably inspired. Next we have the low point, “Flying”. Not noteworthy.

We really get into the good stuff with “Blue Jay Way”, a great track that is especially far out. After this we have a personal favourite “Your Mother Should Know” followed by the albums best track “I Am The Walrus”, a classic in every sense of the word.

Side 2 opens with a bit of a dud, “Hello Goodbye” is again, not noteworthy.
The next two tracks, however, are certainly noteworthy, the stunning “Strawberry Fields Forever” and the fantastic “Penny Lane” are both nearly unmatched. Next we have side 2’s most underrated track “Baby You’re a Rich Man Now” followed by the famous (and very good) “All You Need is Love”.

Overall, while I feel this album is a slight step down from Sergent Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band, it is still well worth your time, it’s just missing one euphorically good track.