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Let It Be [2021 Mix] [Super Deluxe Edition] [Box Set] Image
Metascore
91

Universal acclaim - based on 7 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.3

Universal acclaim- based on 23 Ratings

  • Summary: The Deluxe edition of the 1970 final studio release from the Fab Four features a remaster of the the original album, two disc of rehearsals and session recordings, a remaster of Glyn Johns' original 1969 Get Back mix, and a Ep includes two unreleased Johns mixes. The Super Deluxe editionThe Deluxe edition of the 1970 final studio release from the Fab Four features a remaster of the the original album, two disc of rehearsals and session recordings, a remaster of Glyn Johns' original 1969 Get Back mix, and a Ep includes two unreleased Johns mixes. The Super Deluxe edition adds a Blu-ray disc of the remastered album and a 105-page hardcover book. Expand
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 7
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 7
  3. Negative: 0 out of 7
  1. Oct 15, 2021
    91
    A refreshingly concise distillation of the best outtakes from the weeks of sessions, which were essentially rehearsals. ... Even half a century later, the group’s sterling quality control remains, and if this lavish, multi-part treatment of the Beatles’ swan song is truly the last dance, they’ve made the most of it. ... [Paraphrasing] Paul McCartney’s response to criticism of the “White Album” in the 1990s “Beatles Anthology” series: “It was great, it sold, it’s the bloody Beatles — shut up!”
  2. Oct 18, 2021
    91
    The truth about the 2021 manifestation of Let It Be is that Martin and his engineer Sam Okell haven’t really cracked the code either. It still feels like the awkward, intermittently exciting, sometimes deeply-moving collection of misfit toys it has always been. ... So much of the material included on the extra discs—the rehearsals, the outtakes, and the jams—is uncomfortable and fascinating. You see and hear their future together and then you feel it slipping away.
  3. Oct 15, 2021
    90
    The result is a raw quality with a sound akin to Bob Dylan and the Band’s Basement Tapes — an album that undoubtedly influenced these sessions (George Harrison, having recently hung out with the Band in Woodstock, describes his early take of “All Things Must Pass” as ‘Band-y’.) The mix also includes “Don’t Let Me Down,” tragically left off the original album but now in its rightful place, nuzzled between a loose, rowdy medley and the gem “Dig a Pony.”
  4. 90
    At no points does the listener throw up their arms and shout, “My God! Let It Be is the greatest Beatles album ever made!” but this larger, panoramic overview does wonders for the record, giving us a bird’s-eye view of the sessions. Buy it and you’ll play it a lot. [Nov 2021, p.82]
  5. 80
    Taken as a whole, the Let It Be box is an essential addition to any collector’s library, a collection that documents a critical time in the final stages of the Beatles’ existence. Few albums were accompanied by such sad circumstances, but now, visited anew, the joy and jubilation are evident after all.
  6. Oct 20, 2021
    80
    The disc is fleshed out with studio chatter and intriguing early versions of songs that would appear on Abbey Road, the last album they recorded. Across the 57 tracks, we hear the band exploring music that would become timeless. Although “Get Back” is the only song that met the original criterion of being created from scratch to finish, there is much to enjoy.
  7. Mojo
    Oct 19, 2021
    80
    Let It Be might be the runt of The Beatles litter but it's half of a very good album. ... The outtakes discs are very much works in progress, as The Beatles chat and work their way through new songs: an eavesdrop into their process. ... What comes through is how true The Beatles were to the idea of going back to their youthful inspirations. [Dec 2021, p.99]
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 4 out of 4
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 4
  3. Negative: 0 out of 4
  1. Oct 15, 2021
    10
    This album man… This is the end of The Beatles. While Abbey Road was the last album the band recorded, this is the end of the long and windingThis album man… This is the end of The Beatles. While Abbey Road was the last album the band recorded, this is the end of the long and winding road that is the life of this extraordinary band. The soulful performances serve as a final goodbye for the band as we know them, and both the outtakes on the main album and the extra segments as part of the takes included in this box-set serve as an emotional goodbye from all four of the “Fab Four”, with their last bits of banter and conversation serving as the final contributions to music this extraordinary group produced as a quartet. Essential listening for any Beatles fan or even just a fan of music as a whole , this album is a final love letter to listeners and this new remixed and remastered package serves as the quintessential way of experiencing this groups goodbye to the world of music as a full band. Expand
  2. Jun 20, 2022
    8
    [Read as review for the original album]
    This unappreciated swan song blew me away ! It felt closer to their earlier work sticking to direct
    [Read as review for the original album]
    This unappreciated swan song blew me away ! It felt closer to their earlier work sticking to direct simple rock but it's expected how greatly this would turn out. You can tell just how fraught the bands relationship must have been as the record feels like the end of an argument, one that ends because there isn't much more to say not because amends were reached. The title track os a calming mantra to allow somethings to just happen without agonizing just because it's all you've known. This feels so final ,like the last song at a concerts last leg. Absolutely enjoyed it.
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  3. Oct 19, 2021
    8
    I have always thought Let It Be was an underrated/over-hated album. It has some of the Beatles' best songs (Get Back, Let It Be, Long andI have always thought Let It Be was an underrated/over-hated album. It has some of the Beatles' best songs (Get Back, Let It Be, Long and Winding Road, Don't Let Me Down (technically), plus One After 909 is a banger). This has the 1969 Glyn Johns Get Back concept album and some outtakes, surely which will appear in Peter Jackson's documentary. Nothing crazy new or deep, but it's not every day you get new Beatles material, so who will complain? Expand
  4. Jul 17, 2023
    8
    Let It Be, released by The Beatles in 1970, stands as a poignant and bittersweet swan song for the iconic band. While not without its flaws,Let It Be, released by The Beatles in 1970, stands as a poignant and bittersweet swan song for the iconic band. While not without its flaws, the album captures a raw and unfiltered snapshot of a group on the verge of disbanding, offering glimpses of both brilliance and discord. Let It Be may not reach the same heights as some of their earlier works, but it remains a compelling and emotionally charged record that showcases the enduring talent of The Beatles.

    The album opens with the title track, "Let It Be," a timeless and uplifting anthem that has become one of the band's most beloved songs. Paul McCartney's poignant vocals and the accompanying gospel-inspired choir create a sense of hope and redemption. This track, along with the gentle beauty of "Across the Universe" and the soulful "The Long and Winding Road," demonstrates McCartney's melodic genius and his ability to evoke deep emotions.

    John Lennon's contributions to Let It Be bring a more introspective and somber tone to the album. "Across the Universe" stands as a mesmerizing meditation on existence, while "Dig a Pony" showcases Lennon's unique lyrical style and his ability to captivate with his raw vocal delivery. Lennon's collaboration with McCartney on "Two of Us" offers a glimpse into the camaraderie that still existed between the band members amidst their impending separation.

    One of the album's highlights is George Harrison's "I Me Mine," a reflective and philosophical song that showcases his growth as a songwriter. Harrison's distinct guitar work and his thoughtful lyrics add a layer of depth to Let It Be. His influence is also felt in the spirited "For You Blue," a blues-infused track that injects a welcome dose of energy into the album.

    While Let It Be possesses moments of brilliance, it is not without its shortcomings. The production, overseen by Phil Spector, has been a point of contention among fans and critics. Spector's lavish use of orchestration and choir on tracks like "The Long and Winding Road" has been criticized for veering away from the band's original intent. Some argue that these additions detract from the album's overall cohesion and the band's stripped-down approach.

    Despite its imperfections, Let It Be remains an important document in The Beatles' discography. It captures the band in a vulnerable and transitional phase, where their creative tensions were palpable. The album's rough edges and moments of imperfection reflect the human side of the band and add to its authenticity. It serves as a reminder that even the greatest artists face challenges and evolve over time.

    In conclusion, Let It Be is a significant and emotionally charged album that earns a rating of 8/10. While it may not reach the same heights as some of The Beatles' earlier works, it offers a captivating glimpse into a band on the verge of dissolution. Let It Be stands as a testament to the enduring talent of The Beatles, showcasing their ability to create deeply affecting music even in times of internal strife.
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