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 The Most Underrated Beatles Album? January 3, 2005
Anne A. Adriance (Oldwick, NJ USA)
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
It seems that nearly every review for MMT has the qualifier of "Not in the same league of the Beatles' best stuff but worth owning nonetheless." I suppose I understand the point, as the album is somewhat disjointed and isn't an "album" so much as a collection of fantastic songs. However, I always felt Rubber Soul was much the same way, and even Revolver to some extent.
Though the first side of the album (or rather through "Your Mother Should Know") is slightly below the expected greatness of the Beatles, "Fool on the Hill" and "Blue Jay Way" are fantastic songs, and the title track is little more repetetive than the much more highly regarded Sgt. Pepper's theme. "Your Mother Should Know" is even nice and catchy.
And the second side (well, actually "I Am the Walrus" on) may be the best side of music the Beatles ever made (if not the second side of Abbey Road). You have six beautiful pop songs, ranging from the strangest and most circumspect ideas ("I Am the Walrus") to the simplest and most important ("All You Need is Love"). Not to mention Lennon and McCartney's own signature songs in "Strawberry Fields Forever" and "Penny Lane", respectively. Perhaps I would choose "Happiness is a Warm Gun" as Lennon's best, and "Yesterday" or the "Golden Slumbers/Carry That Weight/The End/Her Majesty" suite for McCartney's, but these are probably the songs they are known best for, and rightfully so.
"Hello Goodbye" is an extremely catchy song that reminds one of the Beatles' early and "innocent" days.
Whether this is actually the most underratted album in the Beatles catalogue is certainly debatable--the beautiful Let It Be rarely gets the credit it deserves as well--but this is truly a must own for any fan of music. Actually, it would probably be an excellent introduction for someone new to the Beatles, as it is extremely accesible because of its "collection of singles" feel.
MAGICAL November 26, 2005
Rockets
6 out of 7 found this review helpful
Saying this album is great is truely an understatement. This album is exactly what the title inquires MAGICAL. I love it and it is possibly the greatest Beatles album out there. The problem is how badly underrated and underappriciated it is. I just can't believe how it was never as great of a success as "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" when all the songs could have been great hits.
The NUMBER ONE thing I love about this album is that every song is actually that good! On most albums's I get those one or two songs I just can't stand to listen to and I have to rush to change it. I never had this problem with "Magical Mystery Tour"
Let me break it down song by song from my opinions:
Magical Mystery Tour - The beat, the rhythm, the lyrics, are all perfect together, a very fun sing along song and it obviously wouldn't be the title song if it wasn't good.
The Fool On The Hill - Probably my favorite song, I love the lyrics and how they give off a "who cares what others think?" vibe. This song helps me as do all of Paul's songs do. If you like slow songs like Yesterday, Here There and Everywhere and I've Just Seen A Face, you will probably like this song too.
Flying - It's an instrumental, and usually I don't like these, but this one is easy listening.
Blue Jay Way - I'm the biggest fan of George's songs. I love the eerieness of this one. Even though most people find it boring, I still think of it as one of his bests. A very easy listen as well.
Your Mother Should Know - I get scared because I always find myself singing along with this catchy tune, and I don't sing out loud often... I love the irony!
I Am The Walrus - Many people have said it, and I'll say it again, "One Of John's Best". The lyrics have no meaning and are very bizarre which makes it an enjoyable and laidback track.
Hello, Goodbye - Heard it on the "1" album first, definitly a catchy tune and obviously a great hit. I listen to it over and over still.
Strawberry Fields Forever - I must admit I didn't like this song the first time I heard it, but eventually after listening over and over, this song grew on me and I find it very soothing.
Penny Lane - Paul's upbeat song about Liverpool, everyone who loves the Beatles should love this song. First heard it on "1" as well.
Baby You're A Rich Man - This song is basically a combination of "Your Mother Should Know" and "I Am The Walrus". You find yourself singing along to the ridiculous lyrics and you just have to laugh at yourself.
All You Need Is Love - Another song that should be loved by all Beatlemaniacs. I seriously can't listen to this song enough, it never gets tiring. Also on "1".
A lot of people think that this album wasn't a great hit because of Epstein's death, how the Beatles were "supposedly" under the influence of drugs at the time, how much it was overshadowed by Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band and because of the crappy movie it was soundtrack to. Well to sum it up I don't care that people though the Beatles were supposedly nothing and lacked direction without Epstein, or that they were intoxicated while making it, nor do I care if the movie sucked or not, as long as the music sounds good, I'm happy. I'm just your average listener, and I don't look too much into the production of something as I do into the product.
For what this album costs, (in the range of $13-$27) it's a worthwhile and substantial buy. If you don't believe me then break it down yourself:
- Three of the songs were major hits. (Hello Goodbye, Penny Lane, and All You Need Is Love)
- Two of the songs were Lennon's signature moments. (I Am The Walrus and Strawberry Fields Forever)
- Three of the songs are just for fun. (Magical Mystery Tour, Your Mother Should Know, and Baby You're A Rich Man)
- Three that are easy listenings. (The Fool On The Hill, Flying, and Blue Jay Way)
And there you have it a mixture of enchanting music made by the most enchanting and magical band that there ever was, The Beatles.
Got to hear! July 12, 2000
Chad Jackson (TN)
5 out of 6 found this review helpful
I am not the greatest Beatles fan but WOW! My friend let me listen to this CD.I was blown away.The songs are wild and tripped out.You can listen to the whole CD and not have to skip a song because you don't like it.Trust me this is a must hear and a buyer.After this CD I got hooked on the Beatles.Don't hesitate to buy!
 Cartoon trash... November 3, 1999
5 out of 28 found this review helpful
There's a reason so many other reviewers give the Rolling Stones so much more praise than the Beatles. When you listen to (almost) any Stones album, you hear a spirited collection of rocking blues and talented playing. When you put on any Beatles album, you hear what sounds like a bunch of little children trying to write, play, and sing like grownups. And failing miserably. How even one of their albums got on Amazon's top 10 list for this decade (ahead of Hendrix and Aretha Franklin, no less) I'll never know, but it's no accident that "Let It Bleed" is at the top. Save your money on this one if you're over 15.
MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR: The Beatles album that never was. June 23, 2001
S. J. West (Eads, TN United States)
5 out of 5 found this review helpful
In the title, I mean as many know that this is not a true album. The first six songs were an E.P. in Britain and Capitol made it an album by putting all the Beatles 1967 singles on the second side. That said, MAGICAL MYSTERY TOUR is a very underrated CD. The TV movie wasn't that great, but many of the songs were:1)"Magical Mystery Tour"--song intended to open album/film is a fun and catchy tune written mainly by Paul with some bits added by John. 2)"The Fool on the Hill"--Another by Paul, this a rather haunting ballad and one of his best. 3)"Flying"--instrumental written by all four Beatles is not so great without the psychadelic scene it backed in the film. 4)"Blue Jay Way"--George's contribution to the film, an Indian-inspired piece about waiting for his friends in L.A. 5)"Your Mother Should Know"--"When I'm Sixty-Four"-style song by Paul is not as good, but very close to, that song. 6)"I Am the Walrus"--the most memorable song in the movie is John's (can't ya tell by the title?) is one of the most psychadelic songs ever. B-side to the following song. 7)"Hello, Goodbye"--a #1 hit on both sides of the pond written by Paul that I like even with the sugary lyrics. 8)"Strawberry Fields Forever"--part of double A-sided single is John's blurred, psychadelic memory of the Salvation Army home he played at as a child. 9)"Penny Lane"--the other side of that single went to #1 in the U.S. is Paul's memory of his childhood, a steet in Liverpool. 10)"Baby, You're a Rich Man"--John and Paul collaborated on this underrated song. I still don't know why many people say this is African/Indian inspired. B-side to the next song. 11)"All You Need is Love"--John's #1 flower-power hit. This was Britain's representation in the worldwide OUR WORLD TV satellite hook-up. Just a pop group. HA! There it is all 11 songs of this "bad" album. The only bad Beatles album is that IN THE BEGINNING with Tony Sheridan (ugh) singing on almost all the songs. This is worth five stars.
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