Hostile review
The Beatles' Let It Be: a hostile 1970 review and chart-topping proof to the contrary
Released in the UK on 8 May 1970. A contemporary hostile review by John Mendelsohn in Rolling Stone, alongside chart results with their dates.
The verdict at the time
Mendelsohn attacked Phil Spector's orchestral overdubs as 'oppressive mush', called 'The Long and Winding Road' virtually unlistenable, and dismissed the album as 'costume jewelry' built from rough gems.
Chart peaks
European positions are listed by country. Later chart entries are labelled separately.
Sources & context
One critic's opinion, summarised from John Mendelsohn's original Rolling Stone review of 11 June 1970. The album is now part of the Beatles canon after decades of controversy.
