So, I got bored with the “50 greatest albums” idea, primarily because it’s self-aggrandizing and irrelevant. Who gives a shit what my #26 album of all time is? Instead, I am going to go through my favorite bands and share my thoughts on their catalogs. Getting the heavy hitters out of the way early, first up: The Beatles. (MMT is a comp. Yellow Submarine doesn’t belong.)

1. Sgt. Pepper’s Lonely Hearts Club Band

The mono mix has pushed this to the top for me. After placing this in the middle of the pack for years, I have come to the realization that this was their peak. This is one of the very few times “rock music as high art” has been pulled off. “Lovely Rita,” overlooked by most, is McCartney at full strength. “She’s Leaving Home” is gorgeous. Lennon drops “Kite” and a landmark in pop music. George shits the bed (song would work at 3 minutes). Perhaps the greatest reason this holds the top spot is the fact that it contains the best (or least bad) Ringo song. There is no Ringo track ruining this album.

2. Revolver

My favorite for a long time. McCartney steals the show on “Taxman.” Lennon is in peak form. “I’m Only Sleeping,” “And Your Bird Can Sing,” and “She Said She Said.” Holy fuck. The guitar tones really stand out here. ‘Yellow Submarine’ blows. Harrison actually produces some quality songs. Is it possible to imagine how amazing this album would be +Paperback Writer/Rain and -Love You To/Yellow Sub (or for that matter Penny Lane/Strawberry for Within You/Good Morning on Pepper)?

3. Abbey Road

I can’t even write about this album. It’s so solid that it actually bores me to talk about it. There’s nothing to talk about. The Beatles going out on top.

4. The Beatles

“would be better as a single disc.” Eh, maybe, but I think the mammoth warts and all aspect is charming. “What you are hearing is 4 solo albums.” Wait a second. George’s 2 good songs on the album (guitar, long) qualify as his solo album? And surely people don’t think ‘Don’t Pass Me By’ is an entire album. That would be one of the worst albums ever made. Single version of Revolution (particularly the mono mix) blows Revolution 1 out of the water.

5. Rubber Soul

‘What Goes On’ and ‘Run For Your Life’ suck, which is why I have a hard time trusting people who place this at the top. The fuzz bass on ‘Think’ really blows too. Good thing there’s about 7 masterworks comprising the rest. ‘I’m Looking Through You’ is the highlight for me.

6. Please Please Me

The first punk rock album, and my favorite early Beatles album. I just love the energy. From the 1-2-3-4 to Lennon’s shrieking on Twist and Shout. How many other bands could hit you with a love tune like “Ask Me Why” and rock your socks off (Saw Her Standing) on the same album? The covers (Anna and Baby It’s You) are great. ‘Please Please Me’ is their best single until ‘I Feel Fine’.

7. A Hard Day’s Night

The title track isn’t really one of my favorite for some reason. I get off on ‘Things We Said Today,’ ‘And I Love Her,’ and ‘I Should Have Known Better.’ Something about this album just strikes me as really really good, but not great. The first one of that kind on this list.

8. Help!

Kind of the same vibe as HDN here. Really good, but not classic level. I feel like they had become lazy at this point, picking it up again with Rubber Soul. Lennon and McCartney each drop a gem like clockwork: ‘Hide Your Love’ and ‘I’ve Just Seen a Face’

9. Let It Be

Some of the highest points in the catalog: ‘Two Of Us,’ ‘Get Back,’ ‘Dig a Pon…just kidding, ‘Dig a Pony’ fucking sucks. I prefer Let It Be Naked, and would have that a few spots up. ‘The Long and Winding Road’ is actually good on Naked, and Lennon’s shit banter is thrown out the window. The fat is cut off and ‘Don’t Let Me Down’ added. I don’t get the LIBN hate.

10. Beatles For Sale

Lennon’s classic opening trilogy sets the bar high as FUCK. Needless to say, the rest of the album rarely meets it. Actually, it never does. ‘Every Little Thing’ and ‘I Don’t Want To Spoil the Party’ are solid, but damn, “No Reply” just owns this bitch. The covers are weak as hell.

11. With The Beatles

Eh, this album sux (only in the context of the Beatles, it’s still great comparative to others). ‘Not a Second Time’ rules, and I’ve always had a soft spot for the ‘Til’ There Was You’ cover. George’s solo is so tight. Otherwise (Lennon’s first two cuts are good), it’s slim pickings.

Next up: The Beach Boys