
Of course you’re tired of hearing about how it turned rock into art. Of course the “sophistication” that this “concept album” introduced led to innumerable sins of pretentiousness. Of course the “tangerine trees and marmalade skies” sound dated. But have you actually listened to Sgt. Pepper lately? The songs are breathtaking, the musicianship unparalleled, the production perfect. There has never been another band that could do so many different things — songs like “Good Morning Good Morning,” “Getting Better,” and, of course, the climactic “A Day in the Life” cover more ground than you get in most rock careers. Backlash be damned; a splendid time is still guaranteed for all.