The least perfect Beatles album, and for that reason one of my favorites. The Fabs had been rougher and wilder and weirder before, but never so disjointed, and rarely so human. This is the Beatles album that mortals could've made... providing mortals had voices as charming as Lennon and McCartney (and Harrison too, I suppose... his vocals on "For You Blue" are adorable). It's a funny one. Not many bands would put a statement song like "Let it Be" IMMEDIATELY AFTER "Dig It"... That's some Guided by Voices shit, if ya ask me.
As is characteristic for the Yoko era, Lennon is lazy as fuck here. He doesn't even attempt to make sense, and only goes serious once-- the admittedly moving and beautiful "Across the Universe." I love these stupid throwaways though: "Dig A Pony," "One After 909"...
Meanwhile, in church, Paul is finding God. In what must be deliberate contrast to John, he turns in some of his stateliest and most soulful tunes ever. (Which isn't to say his work isn't fun... "I Got a Feeling" is a far better party song than the Black Eyed Peas "jam" of the same name.) I'm a John man, and always will be, but I don't know how anyone could listen to this album and deny that, in their final third, the Beatles are pretty much Paul's project. Let It Be is his concept, and he delivers on the idea.
So what you have here is something that's both mature and playful. It's a nostalgic record (originally titled "Get Back"). Its one hint of darkness comes during "I Me Mine," a song that people like far too much. (And here's why: it's about GREED. People love that money hating shit. But I can see right through them, and George. I'm not fooled by his Quiet Beatle nonsense. Guy was just as corrupt and drug-addicted and sinful as anyone else in the band. And he was NOT, NOT the talent that Lennon or McCartney were. He had a lot of great songs... 15 or so. Paul and John each had a hundred. So yeah, stop talking about him.)
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