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3.17am
21 August 2009
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note: meanmistermustard merged two threads together on the 30th July 2014; thread one consisted of posts 1-> 67, thread two posts 68 -> 128.
So, I was just meandering through some of the older threads, and I came across someone talking about “ranking” albums, which they would choose if they were to choose a second favourite album. We’re missing such a thread, so I thought it was time to start one! We have a “favourite” thread and a “least” favourite thread, so why not something in the middle?
So, in order from best to worst, rank your favourite Beatle albums. (Studio albums only, the original 13! Excluding things like Anthology or Past Masters )
1. Rubber Soul
Excellence! Pure, pure good stuff. They hit their “deep” stride, and I love the mystery, intrigue and flow the album has.
2. Sgt. Pepper ‘s Lonely Hearts Club Band
Innovations and teamwork at it’s best.
3. Revolver
What’s not to love? Hoorah for George compositions.
4. The White Album
I’m surprised a lot of people think that this album is comprised of mostly junk! I actually love every song excluding “Wild Honey Pie ” which is just… well, you know.
5. Beatles For Sale
The beginning of their superbness, despite the excellence of my next choice…
6. A Hard Day’s Night
Kablam! The Beatles talents appeared like magic.
7. Help !
Paired with the movie, it’s just great. Yay for all the John compositions, as well as on AHDN .
8. Magical Mystery Tour
“Baby You’re A Rich Man “? Come on, classic. Not to mention the genius of “The Fool On The Hill .”
9. Please Please Me
Self-explanatory, no? Good stuff, a great beginning, but they were amateurs. Amateurs with a gift, yes, but I like their own compositions better than a majority of covers.
10. Abbey Road
Despite some excellent stuff, aka all the medleys & Because , it just signifies the end. And that breaks my heart, haha, so in that case, it gets shuffled a bit to the bottom, despite the greatness of the album.
11. Yellow Submarine
So fun! And who can forget “Hey Bulldog “? I was going to move it up in the list purely for that song. 
12. Let it Be
Damn you Phil Spektor. Ugh, ruined, almost not even worth releasing. The tension is too much too, except for temporary sweetness during “Two of Us.” In my eyes, though, it can’t resurrect the album, and the sourness towards each other translates.
and that leaves…
13. With the Beatles
Not that it’s a bad album, because it’s not, it’s just not something I always stop on while I’m shuffling the ol’ iPod. “Money”, “All I’ve Got To Do ” help the album a bit, but it just doesn’t stand out.
Tongue, lose thy light. Moon, take thy flight… see ya, George!
5.42am
13 November 2009
Offline Alissa said:
…
4. The White Album
I'm surprised a lot of people think that this album is comprised of mostly junk! I actually love every song excluding “Wild Honey Pie ” which is just… well, you know. I don't think that it's mostly junk, just kind of all over the place. Wild Honey Pie is very silly, but it is very short, and I don't think that it's all that different from You Know My Name (Look Up the Number). I would move this down to #6.
5. Beatles For Sale
The beginning of their superbness, despite the excellence of my next choice… I keep coming back to this album. Mr. Moonlight seems like it should have been done by a mariachi band, IMO.6. A Hard Day's Night
Kablam! The Beatles talents appeared like magic. Both AHDN and HELP! should be moved up at least one, just on principle.7. Help !
Paired with the movie, it's just great. Yay for all the John compositions, as well as on AHDN . See above.8. Magical Mystery Tour
“Baby You're a Rich Man”? Come on, classic. Not to mention the genius of “The Fool On The Hill .” I can't disagree with it's position, but I can't take The Fool On The Hill seriously after seeing Paul prancing around on a hill. The I Am The Walrus scene makes up for it.9. Please Please Me
Self-explanatory, no? Good stuff, a great beginning, but they were amateurs. Amateurs with a gift, yes, but I like their own compositions better than a majority of covers. Twist and Shoot was one hell of a cover.10. Abbey Road
Despite some excellent stuff, aka all the medleys & Because , it just signifies the end. And that breaks my heart, haha, so in that case, it gets shuffled a bit to the bottom, despite the greatness of the album. You'll have to accept it one day, and when you do, I'm sure you'll move this higher on your list!11. Yellow Submarine
So fun! And who can forget “Hey Bulldog “? I was going to move it up in the list purely for that song. 😉 Yeah, four new songs does not an album make. Even when they're a lot of fun.12. Let it Be
Damn you Phil Spektor. Ugh, ruined, almost not even worth releasing. The tension is too much too, except for temporary sweetness during “Two of Us.” In my eyes, though, it can't resurrect the album, and the sourness towards each other translates. I got Let It Be … Naked recently, and it is an improvement over the original. Score one for Paul.and that leaves…
13. With the Beatles
Not that it's a bad album, because it's not, it's just not something I always stop on while I'm shuffling the ol' iPod. “Money”, “All I've Got to Do” help the album a bit, but it just doesn't stand out. Considering what you said about Let It Be , why did you rank this one lower?
I can't really argue with the first three, but the rest? My comments are in the quote. I evaluated their music almost song by song before adding it to my play-list, so it's hard for me to see them as albums.
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
7.03am
14 October 2009
Offline Oohhh, difficult:
When I play an album I sometimes skip through it by just listening to certain tracks I enjoy more than others…..anyway……
The White Album (JUST edges it due to its sheer diversity, just!)
Abbey Road (polished beyond belief)
Rubber Soul / Revolver / Sgt. Pepper (can't split them – is this a cop out?!)
Beatles For Sale / Please Please Me / With The Beatles / A Hard Day's Night (as above – sorry!)
Help ! / Let It Be (both have some of my favourite tracks but also contain some very weak ones)
Yellow Submarine (Sadly this is weak, BUT, It's All Too Much would probably make my top ten of all favourite Beatle songs)
Magical Mystery Tour (still really class this as an E.P. being English!)
"If we feel our heads starting to swell.....we just look at Ringo!"
5.39pm
1. Revolver
This is interchangeable with my second pick.
with songs like: For No One , Eleanor Rigby Tommorrow Never Knows, Revolver is pure genius. (not too keen on Yellow Submarine though)
2. Sgt Peppers. Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Doesn't really need an explanation.
3. White Album .
So much quality on this album (barring Good night, Wild Honey Pie , and don't pass me by)
4. Rubber Soul .
the album where their songwriting made huge advancements.
5. Abbey Road .
The medley is brilliant.
6. Magical Mystery Tour .
Never really got into flying, Blue Jay Way , or Your Mother Should Know , but the last 6 songs make up for it.
7. Let It Be 8. A Hard day's night. 9 . Help ! 10. Beatles For Sale 11. Please Please Me
12. With The Beatles
13. Yelllow Submarine
I'm not very sure of this list, (I was constantly changing spots after I thought I had them in the right order). To me, White Album , Revolver , and Pepper are all #1. Some months Rubber Soul will be my favorite, others AHDN , etc. It's just too hard to put them in order.
6.36pm
1. Revolver – This album is pure genius. I just love it.
2. Sgt. Pepper – Do I really need to say anything?
3. White Album – It's awesome, although some songs could have been excluded.
4. Abbey Road – Medley. 'Nuff said.
5. Rubber Soul – Yup, their songs took a huge step away from silly love songs.
6. Magical Mystery Tour – Flying , Baby You're A Rich Man, and Your Mother Should Know brought it a little down, but it's great.
7. A Hard Day's Night – I'd say this is the highlight of their early career. (By that I mean from Please Please Me to Help !)
8. Help ! – Good album, good songs.
9. Please Please Me – Their debut album was pretty good.
10. With the Beatles – There's something just lacking from this album, but it's OK.
11. Yellow Submarine – I don't really consider this an album, and the only reason I put it in this list is because of Hey Bulldog .
12. Let It Be – Phil Spector, what did you do?
12. Beatles For Sale – Not a lot of good songs on this, there's No Reply and Eight Days A Week , but that's not enough to bring it up.
12.25am
21 August 2009
Offline skye said:
4. The White Album
I'm surprised a lot of people think that this album is comprised of mostly junk! I actually love every song excluding “Wild Honey Pie ” which is just… well, you know. I don't think that it's mostly junk, just kind of all over the place. Wild Honey Pie is very silly, but it is very short, and I don't think that it's all that different from You Know My Name (Look Up the Number). I would move this down to #6.
I think the sweetness and real nature of the songs kind of bump it up for me. I mean, John had some of his most soul-baring songs on this one- albeit very simple, but still true to his current feelings. Paul's are too whimsical to pass up, and I think both George's and Ringo's additions are commendable, more Ringo for that explanation; George added in WMGGW, which is excellent.5. Beatles For Sale
The beginning of their superbness, despite the excellence of my next choice… I keep coming back to this album. Mr. Moonlight seems like it should have been done by a mariachi band, IMO.
With Mr. Moonlight I just picture them rolling their eyes at their own attempt to sing such a monotonous song; excellent, jarring beginning, but after I hear John's wail, I switch the song.6. A Hard Day's Night
Kablam! The Beatles talents appeared like magic. Both AHDN and HELP! should be moved up at least one, just on principle.
While I think this is where they hit their stride, my opinions kind of outweigh the general brilliance of the albums; I'm more for personal favourites than an overall grade of an album, I kind of weigh great songs vs. worse ones.7. Help !
Paired with the movie, it's just great. Yay for all the John compositions, as well as on AHDN . See above.8. Magical Mystery Tour
“Baby You're a Rich Man”? Come on, classic. Not to mention the genius of “The Fool On The Hill .” I can't disagree with it's position, but I can't take The Fool On The Hill seriously after seeing Paul prancing around on a hill. The I Am The Walrus scene makes up for it.
Haha, I think the galavanting is adorable! Besides the fact, I just think the way he sings it is just too good, plus a kind of relation it has with my current circumstances. But, with further evaluation, I'd probably switch this with the Abbey Road position.9. Please Please Me
Self-explanatory, no? Good stuff, a great beginning, but they were amateurs. Amateurs with a gift, yes, but I like their own compositions better than a majority of covers. Twist and Shoot was one hell of a cover.
Very true, and I completely forgot about songs like “There's a Place” and “Misery “, which I actually really love. This would be moved up as well.10. Abbey Road
Despite some excellent stuff, aka all the medleys & Because , it just signifies the end. And that breaks my heart, haha, so in that case, it gets shuffled a bit to the bottom, despite the greatness of the album. You'll have to accept it one day, and when you do, I'm sure you'll move this higher on your list!
I listened to the album all the way through again and have to say I've indeed changed my mind. While I'm still upset about “the end” it is a superb album. Doy.11. Yellow Submarine
So fun! And who can forget “Hey Bulldog “? I was going to move it up in the list purely for that song.Yeah, four new songs does not an album make. Even when they're a lot of fun.
12. Let it Be
Damn you Phil Spektor. Ugh, ruined, almost not even worth releasing. The tension is too much too, except for temporary sweetness during “Two of Us.” In my eyes, though, it can't resurrect the album, and the sourness towards each other translates. I got Let It Be … Naked recently, and it is an improvement over the original. Score one for Paul.
Very true. I much prefer that version to the Phil Spector mess of s**t, but, taking into consideration just the 13 studio albums, this will probably maintain it's position.and that leaves…
13. With the Beatles
Not that it's a bad album, because it's not, it's just not something I always stop on while I'm shuffling the ol' iPod. “Money”, “All I've Got to Do” help the album a bit, but it just doesn't stand out. Considering what you said about Let It Be , why did you rank this one lower?
Nothing really attracts me to this album. I'm more keen to take a listen to “Across The Universe ” or “I Me Mine ” than “I Want To Hold Your Hand ” or something. I think it's just… a beginners album. Just not my cup o' tea I suppose.So! With further evaluation, here's my ultimate list!
1. Rubber Soul
2. Sgt. Pepper 's Lonely Hearts Club Band
3. Revolver
4. The White Album
6. Abbey Road
7. A Hard Day's Night
8. Help !
11. Yellow Submarine
12. Let it Be
13. With the Beatles
Tongue, lose thy light. Moon, take thy flight… see ya, George!
3.22pm
13 November 2009
Offline Alissa said – Nothing really attracts me to this album. I'm more keen to take a listen to “Across The Universe ” or “I Me Mine ” than “I Want To Hold Your Hand ” or something. I think it's just… a beginners album. Just not my cup o' tea I suppose.
Aw, but look how happy it made them!
The Beatles in a pillow fight. Your arguments are invalid! 😛
(Sorry, I don't mean to yell. It just won't let me turn the bold face off.)
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
5.46pm
21 August 2009
Offline skye said:
Alissa said – Nothing really attracts me to this album. I'm more keen to take a listen to “Across The Universe ” or “I Me Mine ” than “I Want To Hold Your Hand ” or something. I think it's just… a beginners album. Just not my cup o' tea I suppose.
Aw, but look how happy it made them!
The Beatles in a pillow fight. Your arguments are invalid! 😛
(Sorry, I don't mean to yell. It just won't let me turn the bold face off.)
Haha, bold or not, the picture does help! Gahhhh -gigglesnort-
But still! I'm standing firm, no matter what an adorable as hell picture tells me to believe! I will not back down to peer pressure! 😛
Tongue, lose thy light. Moon, take thy flight… see ya, George!
12.46pm
13 November 2009
Offline So on impulse yesterday, I bought four records from our local thrift bookstore: Revolver ($20), Sgt. Pepper (10), Rubber Soul (3.50), and the Soundtrack to AHDN (10). I would have bought With the Beatles or the White Album , but I ran out of cash.
There you have it. The “list” in action! I might have to find a permanent spot for our record player.
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
10.40am
31 March 2008
Offline
A Hard Day's Night
This is probably my overall favourite Beatles album. It's just packed full of great songs, not a cover in sight, and the only album to be purely Lennon-McCartney songs. Lennon, in particular, was on fire, churning out classic songs like he couldn't help himself (If I Fell , I'll Be Back, I Should Have Known Better etc etc). I think it's a massively underrated album.
Revolver
The Beatles' absolute peak as musicians, songwriters and studio innovators. Every song is a classic and, although I could live without ever hearing Yellow Submarine again, there's creativity oozing from every second.
Sgt Pepper 's Lonely Hearts Club Band
The record that shook the world. Its historical significance may be forgotten by many these days, and some of the songs err on the side of novelty, but it's a monumental achievement given the limitations of EMI Studios at the time. And it has A Day In The Life , which would make any album sound stunning.
Rubber Soul
This is a tie with Sgt Pepper . It's probably John Lennon 's peak as a songwriter, though McCartney was rapidly catching up. Norwegian Wood and In My Life are shots of brilliance.
Abbey Road
Although The Beatles put out more consistent collections of songs, here the whole is far greater than the sum of its parts. It's possibly the Beatles album I come back to more than any other.
Magical Mystery Tour
Although here in the UK it wasn't a proper album, it's hard to argue with a collection of songs that includes Strawberry Fields, Penny Lane and I Am The Walrus . The inclusion of Flying , Blue Jay Way and All You Need Is Love means I don't bother listening to it all that often, but I still love it.
With The Beatles
Their first proper studio album, as opposed to the rushed Please Please Me , this has some great songs. The first three in particular make possibly the best opening of any of The Beatles albums. Plus it has You Really Got A Hold On Me and Please Mister Postman . Enough said.
The Beatles (White Album )
When they were good they were good, but when they were bad they were dismal. This shows all sides of The Beatles, and although it's a cliche to say it would have been a stunning single album, in this instance the cliches are true. It's not the done thing to say it, but I think it's a little overrated.
Please Please Me
It's an inkling of what the legendary Cavern/Hamburg stage shows were like. There are some duff songs (Love Me Do , A Taste Of Honey ), but it's bookended by two of The Beatles' greatest recordings.
Help !
It's actually not a bad album, but I think by around 1965 The Beatles didn't really know which direction they were going in. They'd just about left behind the beat group stuff, but hadn't hit upon the brilliant songwriting and experimentation of Rubber Soul and Revolver . If they'd gone further down the folk rock route it's unlikely we'd still be talking about The Beatles today.
Let It Be
When I first heard it I really liked it. Then I realised why people found it so disappointing when it came out. It's not The Beatles at their best – most of the songs are average at best, though there are a few brilliant ones (Across The Universe , Let It Be ).
Beatles For Sale
Coming after A Hard Day's Night, this was a step backwards to relying on Cavern-era covers, old songs and the odd good original one. It also has possibly their worst ever recording, Mr Moonlight , which is so cheesy it's untrue.
Yellow Submarine
Because it's not a proper album. Hey Bulldog is great though.
The following people thank Joe for this post:
Von BonteeCan buy me love! Please consider supporting the Beatles Bible on Amazon
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5.23pm
1. Revolver – Not much to be said other than it is the greatest album of all time. Mainly Paul having a go at Brian Wilson’s approach to “Pet Sounds,” which, despite also being one of the greatest albums of all time, is completely blown away by this.
2. Rubber Soul – This album just jumped up a notch since the remaster came out. Pure bliss. It would probably be my #1 if it weren’t for “Run For Your Life ” and “What Goes On .”
3. Sgt. Pepper – The album that killed “SMiLE” and caused the aforementioned Brian Wilson to pack it in just like the jazz cats who threw away their axes once they heard Charlie Parker play. It’s that influential but is it the best they’ve ever done? Some think so but I think it’s slightly overblown.
4. The Beatles (White Album ) – Ditch “Revolution 9 ” and include “Not Guilty ” and it would be even better…
5. Abbey Road -The classic swan song…Harrison’s finest songs to date, “Come Together ,” “Because ,” “Oh! Darling ” and the side 2 medley are all brilliant. The rest is somewhat weak, especially “Maxwell’s Silver Hammer .” John was right – c’mon Paul, enough with the corny “granny music.”
6. Magical Mystery Tour – Not a proper album but still a great one.
7. A Hard Day’s Night – The first and only album consisting only of Lennon/McCartney songs. The Beatles’s sound was already growing and maturing by leaps and bounds at this poing.
8. Let It Be – Still a fun album despite its many flaws.
9. Help ! – The maturity of their sound realized in Rubber Soul begins to show here. Plus, The Beatles demonstrate that they were, among other things, a great Folk-Rock group
10. Beatles For Sale – With the exception of “Words Of Love ,” the strength of the original compositions, though scarce, was far superior to the cover songs they selected. Gram Parsons once noted that “I Don’t Want To Spoil The Party ” might have been the first Country-Rock song. He was probably right.
11. With The Beatles – Better than Please Please Me .
12. Please Please Me – Great debut but obviously, they got better…
13. Yellow Submarine – “Hey Bulldog ” and “It’s All Too Much ” are classics. The rest is…eh…and it’s not a proper album.
6.48pm
13 November 2009
Offline MMT isn't a proper album? What do you consider proper?
(Love your avatar.)
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
9.45am
31 March 2008
Offline It was a double (6-song) EP here in the UK originally, and Capitol added a load of a-sides and b-sides so they could put it out as a full-length album. So for years (until November 1976) it was only available on import. When the CDs came out it became part of the official canon worldwide.
Interestingly, Capitol did with MMT what EMI/Parlophone had done in the UK with A Hard Day's Night and Help ! – ie put the soundtrack songs on side one, with other songs making up the remainder. Capitol chose not to do the same with AHDN and H!, instead putting out incidental music such as orchestral versions of This Boy . Imagine if they'd done the same with Magical Mystery Tour – we might have seen the inclusion of Shirley's Wild Accordion, Jessie's Dream etc.
Can buy me love! Please consider supporting the Beatles Bible on Amazon
Or buy my paperback/ebook! Riding So High – The Beatles and Drugs
Don't miss The Bowie Bible – now live!
11.02am
13 November 2009
Offline I should have known that. 
I knew the the Capital version was canon, but not that it was a “recent” development. Probably another reason that it's suffers in comparison to Sgt. Pepper .
Ad hoc, ad loc, and quid pro quo! So little time! So much to know!
6.47pm
1. Revolver .
By far my favourite.
2. Rubber Soul .
Just edging out Abbey Road at the minute. Just.
3. Abbey Road .
What can you say about this album that hasn’t already been said?
4. Sgt. Pepper ‘s Lonely Hearts Club Band.
Ditto Abbey Road .
5. The Beatles (The White Album )
It’s got some pure rubbish, but the strong songs are some of the strongest songs The Beatles ever put out.
6. A Hard Day’s Night .
Easily the best of their earlier albums.
7. Help !
Some really strong songs on this, with a bit of filler.
8. Magical Mystery Tour .
Some amazing songs, but some very poor tracks hold it down.
9. Please Please Me .
Best album opener and closer ever, but there are too many cover songs for my liking.
10. Let It Be .
Well…
11. With The Beatles .
I don’t know. This album just doesn’t do it for me. It has some decent songs, though.
12. Beatles For Sale .
As George Martin said, they were rather war-weary on this album. No Reply is stunning though.
13. Yellow Submarine .
…
8.56pm
4 September 2009
Offline Not a cop-out but I’d like to use Joe’s reasons. Joe put into words what I was thinking, but my order is…
Look Up The Number
12.22am
1 May 2010
Offline If this is by favorite and maybe not by best
1. The White Album
I’ve grown to love every song on this album, well actually I’ve grown to maybe tolerate Revolution 9 .
2. Rubber Soul
Not bad I guess
Nearly perfect, just take out maybe Hello, Goodbye and add an earlier take of Across The Universe ?
4. Abbey Road
Some of my absolute favorite songs, it’s probably the one I’ve listened to the most.
5. Revolver
My first love and still their best album, but not my favorite.
6. Sgt Pepper
Maybe a little overproduced, but still a masterpiece.
7. Help
If George’s songs were a bit better, this would be higher.
8. Hard Day’s Night
The album that has grown on me the most.
9. Let It Be
Hit and miss.
10. Yellow Submarine
I really dig the actual original songs.
11. With The Beatles
Some fun tracks, but not enough.
12. Please Please Me
Eh? I guess I haven’t heard it in a while, but I don’t really mind.
13. Beatles For Sale
Same.
But come on, this is like choosing your favorite child, although I don’t have any.
I sat on a rug, biding my time, drinking her wine
1.02am
4 September 2009
Offline GnikNus said:
But come on, this is like choosing your favorite child, although I don’t have any.
Um, yeah. I wanted to go from #1 directly to #12 and #13.
Look Up The Number
1.09am
4 April 2010
Offline 1. Magical Mystery Tour /Sgt. Pepper
I can’t decide which one is better, they’re both amazing.
i’ll skip down to the last one
Last: Let it Be
Needed much more umph.
"The best band? The Beatles. The most overrated band? The Beatles."
4.21pm
11 February 2010
Offline 
1. Revolver – I have no idea what it is that makes this my favourite, really. I’m very fond of the Harrison sompositions I guess~
2. Abbey Road – I could listen to that medly all day! I think the reason I love this one so much is because it has such a ‘summer’ feel to it. It’s very elemental and warm and gives this feeling of ending all your troubles and basking in life–it’s just so positive. Not to mention my favourite song is on it <3
3. Help ! – I’m slightly biased here because I’m obsessed with the movie. But this one holds a special place in my heart because YGTHYLA was the first Beatles song I ever heard.
4. Sgt. Pepper – It’s a spoiled child, and I love it. The peak happened here, if you ask me–the sound was so innovative. I also love the intros and the outros… and most of what’s in between it all.
5. White Album – Call me crazy, but the length of it is actually what made me love it. I don’t mind having to get up *several* times to flip over the record, haha. It’s pretty great–save for Wild Honey Pie and Revolution 9 . But that doesn’t need to be said.
6. Magical Mystery Tour – Has a very flitting feeling to it. Never much appreciated ‘Flying ‘ but everything else is just wonderfull and brings up the mood.
7. A Hard Day’s Night – The climax in the early years <3
8. Rubber Soul – Out with silly love songs, in with drugs and everything that comes along with them.
9. Please Please Me – Very nice, not my favourite, but I won’t deny having a liking for a few songs.
10. With the Beatles – It’s almost good enough to beat Please Please Me , but for whatever reason I’m reluctant to do so. Nonetheless, I love it.
11. Yellow Submarine – Hey Bulldog is the only thing keeping it here.
12. Beatles For Sale – Eight Days A Week is the only thing that sticks out for me, here.
13. Let It Be – I have never liked this album. It’s too… different. Typically with the boys, different would be okay… but here, nahh. Across The Universe and Get Back are the only songs I really took a liking to.
"I'd like to end up sort of unforgettable."
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