As heretical as it may sound to some, Big Star’s #1 Record is one of the most aptly named records and is superior, in my humble opinion, to the records of the Beatles, which, although featuring awe-inspiring moments such as
“Tomorrow Never Knows” or “Because”, remained scattered between Lennon, McCartney, and Harrison. 

#1 Record is a perfect album which has a flow that I always wished for in a Beatles album (as if they had created a record in which the vocal harmonies and melodic arrangements all followed the template of a beautiful classic such as
“If I Needed Someone” or “Dear Prudence” and then threw in some Stonesy rhythms, wanderlust lyrics, and nakedly confessional spiritual moments.) The songwriting partnership of Bell/Chilton on this album is so unified.

The philosophical and empowering lyrics of “The Ballad of El Goodo”,
the soul-searching of “Try Again”, and the uplifting bliss of “Watch The Sunrise” contain production which is unparalleled for its crispness and clarity, as well as words and emotions which are universal to the human condition.