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Though it is still faithful to much of the feel of Let It Be, the presentation of Naked, including the slight bits of modern-day editing, reveals that it is revisionist history, not the final word. Which doesn't hurt it as a record -- these are great songs, after all -- but it is a bit disappointing that this long-awaited project wasn't executed with a little more care and respect for the historical record.
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The end result isn't revolutionary enough to warrant a repurchase, and only the biggest Beatlemaniac will notice much difference.
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BlenderLet It Be... Naked offers an experience its predecessor never could. [Dec 2003, p.154]
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In a nutshell this is The Beatles most average album with some of the fluff removed.
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Hearing the bare-bones "Across the Universe" or a de-orchestrated "The Long and Winding Road" is revelatory.
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Entertainment WeeklyBoth eye-opening and questionable. [21 Nov 2003, p.81]
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The problem, however, is that the new album is too clean. It lacks the mess of the original, and the mess is honest.
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MojoThe cleaning up, editing and resequencing has brought out a warmth and depth of colour we've not heard before and allows the album to stand up to scrutiny next to modern records that aim for this kind of down-homeness and simplicity. [Dec 2003, p.134]
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Putting Naked together was likely satisfying for McCartney, but like a lot of inherently selfish artistic endeavors, its somewhat less rewarding for everyone else.
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Ultimately, Naked is not essential. Unlike scattered moments in the Anthology series, this music (though immaculately presented) doesn't really expand on either the music of Let It Be, or The Beatles' legacy.
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Q MagazineMercifully, the original Let It Be remains on sale. [Dec 2003, p.146]
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Casual fans, however, will wonder what all the fuss was about; novices should still get the original.
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The casual fan could do just as well building his own sequence from the 1970 original, Naked and the third Anthology disc.
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Fanfare aside, even though the naked version is an improvement, Let It Be remains the Beatles worst album.
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Let It Be includes some of The Beatles' best songs, but in any form, it will never sound like the band's best album.
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Technically, they've done a fine job, though there's no overcoming the fact that the material falls far short of the group's best.
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UncutIt's not exactly transformed into a classic... but the new Let It Be is punchy, full of presence and powerfully involving. [Dec 2003, p.136]
Awards & Rankings
User score distribution:
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Positive: 74 out of 90
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Mixed: 8 out of 90
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Negative: 8 out of 90
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Jul 8, 2017
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Feb 1, 2016
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Nov 28, 2013