10 Rock Albums That Were Ahead Of Their Time

After redefining the rock landscape with every passing record, the end of the 60's was a very dark time for the Beatles. With everyone itching to go solo, the band's original plans for a back-to-basics record ended with everyone dissatisfied with the project. Rather than just bow out, the band got back together and decided to give their audience one more special record before splitting.

With each passing track, Abbey Road casually redefined different genres at every turn. While you may be frolicking with the pop songs like "Maxwell's Silver Hammer," tracks like "I Want You (She's So Heavy)" became the blueprint for heavy metal bands. The band doesn't stop there though, with folk pop on "Here Comes the Sun," classical influences on "Because," and even the art-rock smoothness of "Come Together."

Since the band were unsure what to do with the tracks they had left, the combination of 9 different songs for the last half of the record signaled greater ambitions for the rock collective. As opposed to the 3 minute hit, this 19 minute medley was the early rumblings of progressive rock poking through the cracks. Given their status as the Biggest Band on the Planet, Abbey Road was the Beatles' grandest musical vision that opened up new avenues for rock musicians that we probably didn't think were possible.