mail: daniel_fjall@hotmail.com
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plastic ono band imagine
Plastic Ono Band Released: 1970 Rating: 9/10 Track listing: 1. Mother/ 2. Hold On/ 3. I Found Out/ 4. Working Class Hero/ 5. Isolation/ 6. Remember/ 7. Love/ 8. Well, Well, Well/ 9. Look At Me/ 10. God/ 11. My Mummy’s Dead John Lennon’s first solo album after the Beatles break up is a classic and emotional effort. Every critics favorite and a great success artistically. Some of the songs sounds unfinished, but it’s the approach that is the point. Rather simple lyrics, stripped down music that breaks no new ground. Still the result is pretty stunning. The fact that the music is so stripped down, so basic, makes it feel really personal and makes it easier for John to get the vocal attention he needs and deserves. The lyrics are far from being as wild and creative as Dylan at his peak, far from walruses and girls with diamonds, far from fields with strawberries and glass onions, but that’s Lennon’s forte. The words becomes more direct, more distinct and so naked and personal. So honest and almost frightening open hearted. You see, the lyrics, besides John’s personal vocal performance, is what matters here. They touch upon the dark side of fame and fortune. The fanatic fans hiding in bushes outside the door along with various members of the press, the fact you get isolated within your own freedom as a popular artist. More importantly, though, is how he for the first time focus on his problematic childhood. The loss of his mother and father, one of the best readings of the working class peoples view on their on situation and the rich and cynic at the top. Might seem odd for Lennon, the millionaire, to sing about that, but very few people seem to know that Lennon was working class. So was McCartney and so was George and Ringo. Just because their music wasn’t dirty didn’t mean they didn’t know what it’s like being poor. The Rolling Stones was middle class, but their music sounded working class. People naturally considered Stones being working people and the Beatles spoiled middle class kids. John was working class. He had lived the life he sings about in “Working Class Hero”, he knew what he was talking about. Of course, Lennon has a softer side, very obvious in the nice piano ballad “Love”. Quite philosophical song, actually. Anyway, on Plastic Ono Band all sides of John’s personality is covered without sounding too unfocused. It’s simple and loveable, frustrating and cynical, caring and naive. All at the same time. And “God” might be the best song I’ve ever heard.
Imagine The follow up to Plastic Ono Band is often considered to be a weaker effort, I most respectfully disagree. Sure, POB was somewhat more serious and introverted, Imagine is dealing with the same subjects, but not quite as deeply or raw. However, instead John brings back the melodies. “Jealous Guy” and “Oh My Love” are probably just as honest as anything on the previous album, but might seem less fragile, still the melodies can’t be beaten. Beautiful and I’m glad John has a full band to back him up on the sensitive numbers. Phil Spector co produced both this and POB, and here it gets a bit space. Nice string arrangements on “Jealous Guy” (as well as fantastic piano playing by Nicky Hopkins) and “Imagine”, wall of sound appears on the cliche filled “I Don’t Wanna Be A Stranger”. Once again, the lyrics are of great importance. Especially check out the great, nasty and sarcastic “How Do You Sleep?” and “Crippled Inside”. “Gimme Some Truth” also belongs in the same category and probably is my favorite song on the album. Yes, I honestly like it better than the title track. The way Lennon spits out his anger and frustration about the leaders in the society is simply fantastic and George Harrison is guesting on slide guitar and does a great job. And don’t forget the great melody, which is something rare in angry music. Yes, Imagine might have it’s share of scratches and isn’t perfect. Still, the highlights are damn high and the misfires are extremely few and still quite enjoyable. And the title song is great, “Gimme Some Truth” is even better, “Jealous Guy” is heartbreaking.... At least buy it to hear John play the harmonica for the first time since the early Beatles days.
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