70s Beatles: Puck! (not) released in 1971

After the critical and commercial success of Newsagent Bacon? the Beatles came back reinvigorated with Puck! You can guess what Lennon wanted to call it. Thankfully the others' commercial instincts and Starr's newfound interest in Shakespearean comedy (playing Bottom in Peter Brook's Old Vic production of that year) led to the compromise title.

McCartney and Lennon, though still stripped back, embraced a fuller sound on this record. Their new confidence led to a reduction in Harrison's presence. Harrison and Starr still had something of a backlog to work through (because they hadn't released any solo albums of course, wink).

Imagine was released as a non-album single, so don't worry about finding it here.

Side A.

1. GIVE ME SOME TRUTH

Stomping, politics. Lennon's back.

2. ISN'T IT A PITY

George may have been marginalised on this release, but he secured second song status.

3. HEART OF THE COUNTRY

With his usual literalism Paul came up with this. He was, indeed, still living in the country.

4. JEALOUS GUY

John's first big single in a while.

5. UNCLE ALBERT/ADMIRAL HALSEY

A return to the song suite style of Abbey Road closes out the side.

Side B

1. WITHOUT HER

Ringo given the kick-off track, for once. Nice one, Ringo!

2. CRIPPLED INSIDE

3. DEAR BOY

Another McCartney song whose effortlessness puts us off a bit.

4. OH YOKO!

John really insisted this one was on the record. Almost split the band up over it.

5. THE BACK SEAT OF MY CAR

Breaking character a bit, but isn't it a choker that this wasn't the way history panned out?

6. ALL THINGS MUST PASS

This song was the last word from the Beatles for two years, leading to much speculation that they were done. As we know, this wasn't the case, and they returned in '74 with Wolfish Grin.