John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

It's simultaneously boring, pretentious and arrogant. Yeah, it's John Lennon's solo career

I always found John Lennons later Beatle output too whimsical but this album is raw, personal and direct.

On John Lennon's first solo album, we see him coming fully into the material that was first hinted at on the White Album. He embraces more soul and jazz touches that lends the music a grittier tone standing in contrast to some of the more vulnerable moments. Some of Lennon's best songs can be found here including 'Mother,' 'Love,' and 'Working Class Hero.' I had heard most of this album, but even the non-singles fit well into the flow of the album. This would be a career high for any other artist.

This is John Lennon's debut solo album after the break-up of the Beatles. At the time, he had been going through some primal scream therapy with his psychiatrist to help work through some childhood trauma. You can really hear it through the lyrics on this record (especially the song Well Well Well where he is almost sacrificing his vocal chords for his screams). The themes of this record include childhood abandonment (Mother), and psychological pain. The song God is almost a farewell letter to the John Lennon everyone knew from the Beatles, and hello to a new John Lennon. This album was mostly performed in a 3 piece band format, featuring Lennon on guitar and vocals, Ringo Starr on drums, and Klaus Voormann on bass (this is apparently the artist who drew the cover art for the Beatles record, Revolver). The song Love features Phil Spector on piano. Phil also had a hand in producing the record along with John and Yoko. Upon seeing the title of the record, I was scared that it was going to feature the awful moaning of Yoko Ono, but thankfully, it did not. Apparently John and Yoko both released a record in 1970 named Plastic Ono Band; how cute. I'd rather listen to pigeons fuck than listen to Yoko Ono. I also had a preconceived notion that I would hate this record because it was John Lennon (the only Lennon solo songs I knew are Happy Xmas (War is Over) and Imagine, and I don't care for either one) but this was so much more than that. There was a lot going on with this record, and I really enjoyed it. Overall, I was very surprised with today's album. It is beautiful. Lennon laid his heart out on tape, and it really comes through. I will definately listen again. Favourite songs: Well Well Well, I Found Out, Hold On, Mother, Working Class Hero Least favourite songs: Isolation, Remember, Love 4/5

The best solo work by John. It’s raw, stark, and honest to a fault. The production matches the mood of the songs. It’s really a masterpiece, regardless how you feel about John Lennon as a husband, father, and human being. John was an imperfect human being, but he was always trying to become a better person, and this album captures that effort perfectly. 5 stars.

Discordant and self-absorbed.

Feeling generous giving this album a 2 star review. It felt like it was a project and not a piece of art. You can feel outside influences coming into the lyrics. Understanding that Lennon probably wanted to make a grand statement exiting the Beatles... This fell short of connecting to an audience that he could have reached on a higher scale. To me this album was written to send a message of independence from the Beatles, and establish himself as a voice on his own, but fell short of being songs you could relate to and play on repeat.

Very relatable record. Perhaps not in its precise sentiments as John is asking us to dig into his own personal drama, but the process itself is cathartic. He tears down his walls, screams into the void, lets go of everything, and accepts starting from scratch. Much of it is demanding, even the minimalist yet pulsing instrumentation, but it is a valuable experience. It's very much John's "therapy album" but I think it's a damn good argument for therapy. Some people might not have cared when he went left field in the 70s and people probably still don't care because he's an undesirable figure in the current climate. But the message has only gotten better with time. On one of my favorite cuts of the album, "God", he speaks of religion and all social structures as tools with "which we measure our pain" and that's what this album is about. Moments like "Mother" may be painful but confronting the pain head on is the only way to heal. This album is merely the beginning as it would take John up until his death to discard the bitterness that once defined him.

Clarity, space, and measured rawness make this one of the best sounding record I’ve heard recently. Where he howls and the guitars fuzz up, the stage is cleared: their punch is unadorned, no fuss and busyness in the way, which surprises me given the presence of Spector. I am indebted to my partner on this trek for introducing me to this record a little while ago - it has stewed over the intervening months, and returning to it, the greatness is even more obvious. Simon, as you said, the final repetitions of Mother are astonishing. I expected to be annoyed by a record so clearly derived from therapy, but there’s a stark, clear-eyed directness to Lennon that weaves past the pitfalls of triteness and insularity. God is pain’s metre, Lennon has stopped believing in what he maybe once did, but now he has his life with Ono - simple progression, but the force is in the declaration. Refreshing.to hear “the dream is over” as triumphant cry. All the songs have stick: again, clarity, simplicity and elegance are principles followed. Cheers, Cookie!

Music is a clear 5 star overall obviously, but I am not so keen on the lyrics (cf. Mother or the last "song", which should be skipped). So, whereas the 5 stars for the Imagine album were easy to give ..giving 5 stars to this albums feels more difficult to justify, but still.. 5 stars.

Perhaps one of the most raw, achingly vulnerable explorations of one person’s pain ever put to tape. It could be argued Lennon never quite reached these musical heights in his solo career again.

Probably the most emotionally vulnerable album made by an A-list artist.

Stunning album. The original introspective deep dive into one's personality set to killer music album? Genius.

COOKIE!

I LIKE THIS ALBUM ACTUALLY

This was excellent, what a great album. Working Class Hero is fantastic. I remember it blowing my mind as a teenager, so good.

Emotional, confessional and utterly raw. But surprisingly not unlisteneable. Great melodies great SONGS! My favorite Beatles solo album! 5 stars

Well, this was quite a surprise for a 15yo Beatles obsessive digging in my parent's record collection! Introduced me to the "difficult solo album" and instilled an inexhaustible desire to experience weird obscurities from favorite musicians. This is the best post-Beatles solo album, packed with stark and excellent songwriting. Cookie! A masterpiece. PS as I know every note of this backwards, I took a side quest chasing the "Yoko Ono/POB" isomer. It was... not terrible? Could be enjoyable for those into experimental music, but who find early Faust too accessible

Raw is the only way to describe this album. It’s unreal how much emotion he can convey with his voice and the stripped back instrumentals. The album cover matches perfectly as well. This album works so well at describing the essence of John. Rating: 4.7

3.5-4

Lovely album

I don’t think I need to tell you what a John Lennon album sounds like, other than that this one is stripped back in terms of instrumentation (a nice change of pace from the Beatles overblown latter day studio productions) and that he says “fuck” a couple times.

The best part of the song God is where he lists in things he doesn't believe in like cinnamon and yogurt. My man, I assure they all exist and don't care if you believe in them.

Lennon’s first solo album and it makes you realise just how incredible the Beatles were. John on his own has no filter - primal screams do not music make. And his ‘profound’ lack originality or meaning. Some music here is good after a few bars and Ringo’s drumming is pretty awesome. But it’s a no. Wings were better than Lennon solo.

The first couple of tracks were laughably bad. It sounds like an album of beatles b-sides

Meh

This is honestly barely ok... it's cliche and trite in 2023 most of the time, and some of it is repeats from another Lennon album we've already had. Overall just a non-event that probably wouldn't even get a look-in with independent labels today. 2/5.

Yes, this is John Lennon (I think by law I'm supposed to genuflect or something). Yes, he's such an icon.... and while there are a few decent songs on here, this is one of the most overrated albums of its time. Some of it is unlistenable. I'm glad primal scream was "working" for him back then (was it? I mean, he was a bit of a mess)... but subjecting listeners to his histrionic caterwauling is a bit much. The end of "Mother" is like listening to a tone-deaf cat being mutilated.

Unfinished. Super self indulgent. If I wanted to listen to John in therapy, I'd prefer to be getting paid vs the other way around.

I would very much say that this took me by surprise. I was expecting to hate it because I can't stand the songs Imagine and War is Over. Those are the only two solo John Lennon songs I knew. I think both are kind of insufferable. I'm glad to say that I loved most of this album. I made it almost all the way through thinking that I was going to not hate any of it but then "God" played. Yup, also insufferable. I get it dude... I get it! You only believe in you and Yoko and that's all that matters to you. We got it. You didn't have to list every single thing you don't believe in, and I felt like targeting his time with The Beatles was also just kind of in poor taste. That all said I am trying to not let my disdain for one song wreck my whole view of the album. That still leaves me with a little trouble deciding how to rate this. I was already kind of learning towards a 4 star before I hit that song...and that song might be enough to drag it down to a 3. I feel the need to be generous though because it did surprise me with how much I liked most of the rest of the album.

On this album, John Smellon goes monkey mode. Just full on primal vine-swinging Donkey Kong Barrel Blast™ monkey mode. Guest starring the Cookie Monster. "I was the Walrus, but now I'm John" - Factually untrue, the Official Lore clearly states that the Walrus was Paul. His best post-Beatles album, but that's not a very high bar, innit. Extra marks for no "Imagine" at least. Also obligatory: https://i.imgur.com/XoPXrdJ.jpeg What a silly guy, I bet his domestic life was completely uncontroversial.

It's not better than the Beatles. It's alright and there's some good songs like Working Class Hero.

Thought I would like this, then I didn't, none of the tracks really gripped me, maybe Working Class Hero at a stretch. Overall, not for me.

This is provocative ...as I have had to reexamine my relationships with my brothers at the same time as listening to this after so many years. There is a book out now called monsters about whether you can separate the art from the individual. In my contemplations, John Lennon and my brothers might be gifted but they are exploitive and abusive as well. They only do that which serves them - no generosity of spirit - and they love you only if there is a service you perform for them. Bruce did reach out to help me when it did not serve him to do so, that is an exception to the rule with them. If he reaches out, I will speak to him.

Having listened to all their first solo albums, it's clear that George Harrison thrived after the Beatles. Lennon, by contrast, was a mess and that's reflected in his music here. Only the track Love has any appeal to me, and would fit better on his far superior second solo album. I feel sympathy for anyone who had to deal with Lennon at this time - except Yoko Ono of course.

Suena bien... no estoy segura si me encanta pero si esta cool. No si me gusto, creo que le estoy agarrando un gustillo a los beatles por este programa la verda haha

No podia estar més allunyat del que havia fet feia només uns mesos amb els seus companys de banda. Disc catàrtic com pocs, exorcisme de tots els seus fantasmes, altaveu d'uns sentiments enquistats durant anys. Però a la vegada disfrutable, amb cançons de pop perfeccionat i produït per un dels seus mestres. Primer disc en solitari, i primera obra mestra

J'ai vraiment aimé super original et les toune sont magistrales 5

I know & love this album.... been one of my favs for years. It's a bit depressing at times, but beautifully so. This album takes me back to early mornings working in California, at like 5 am when no one else is around. I especially how John is pushing is vocals throughout, and comes out with something very musical.

Lennon's greatest work outside of The Fabs, and possibly the best album any of them did after the breakup. Part of me wants to downgrade it because it pales in comparison to anything he did as a Beatle, but that's the case with damn near every album. Another part of me wants to give it a 5, because as a whole it sounds like a 5, and the goddamn album is still a 5 over 50 years later.

Rating: 9/10 Best songs: Mother, I found out, Well well well, Look at me

John is mijn held. Toegegeven, ik ben misschien een zo obsessieve Beatles en John Lennon fan, dat deze muziek mythische proporties heeft aangenomen in mijn hoofd. De gekte en het buiten de lijntjes kleuren is wat mij nog altijd zo enorm aanspreekt in John Lennon zijn vroege solo-werk. Later in zijn carriere ging hij (net als McCartney) helaas ook tranentrekkende muzak maken. Maar dit album staat bol van de spanning en creativiteit. Geweldig.

very good

wonderful

This was the first time I’ve heard the album in full. For some reason I’d always dismissed it. It sounds like John was exorcising all of his demons at once. Burnt out by Beatlemania possibly, realising that the world was fucked up maybe. There’s a real anger in the songs, but there’s also hope. Loved it, will be adding this to my collection.

Not sure if I'm relieved or disappointed in the lack of wailing. I've always sensed a bit of creepy energy from old John but the man can write a fucken song or two

PLASTICO

LP

The title track alone would give this album four stars. Long live the spirit of Lennon.

Great album (do I know the last song?)

Yeah this is boss, no denying it

i don't believe in beatles but i believe in me

This album is so raw and personal it’s no surprise that it got next to no airplay. It has four tunes I'd put in the fabulous category: Mother, Love, Working Class Hero and God. The first three have all been covered but God probably can never be covered due the part of the song after the list. The rest of the songs are largely unknown but also quite good.

lots of pain and some anger, some hope and encouragement too. love as well. a very human album. i’ve only listened to it once so i won’t say more

Brutally honest and sparse. It sounds personal and pained. An excellent emotional album that is compelling start to finish.

Lennon. Venga, vinilo por Working class hero.

Classic

A great album. Instead of continuing to try and chase the highs of The Beatles, this album is highly personal, with one of the main themes being letting that phase of his life go. The last line of the last song (outside of the glorified outro) is ‘the dream is over’. Other parts of the album discuss other parts of his life. All in all, a highly personal album and a great listen.

John Lennon Such an original distinct voice as a songwriter So much primal screaming - so personal feeling. Tough one to rate. It’s a pretty imperfect record but maybe that’s a good thing or possibly the best part about it . Idk 4.5?

Несмотря на то, что я не могу сказать, что я как-то особенно музыкально наслаждаюсь альбомом, эти песни имеют какой-то странный терапевтический эффект. Особенно в грустный, лиричный период. Искренние, социальные, о наболевшем

A very personal album. Love all the emotion in the vocals on every track. Even on my least favourite songs on the album have amazing vocals which make up for it. Probably John’s best solo work. Definitely my favourite of his solo albums, just slightly better than Imagine. Deserves its place on this list. 9/10 Top 5: 1. God 2. Mother 3. Isolation 4. Love 5. Working Class Hero

Arguably Lennon’s finest work since leaving the Beatles. A shame that we were deprived of more

This is a great album. The way he communicates raw emotion through the music, and through his voice - these songs really demonstrate that he's one of the best ever to do it. I would not put all of these songs in the top tier, but there are enough knock-outs to fully make up for it - "Mother" "I Found Out" "Working Class Hero" "Isolation" "Well Well Well" and "God" are my favorites. One of the things that stuck with me on this listen was the way he is playing guitar in "I Found Out" - it's rather violent, dirty staccato playing that adds a lot to the song rhythmically and emotionally. I found it inspiring.

Powerful and emotional. I had big feelings.

This one worked for me!

Okay, so this is the one! This felt raw and real and emotional and grabbed my attention, which I didn't quite get from Imagine. Imagine that! Honest and vulnerable don't always make for easy listening, but sometimes it's a powerful experience.

один из моих любимых альбомов вообще

Yeah, liked it. YTM's Auto Play is broken so it repeated

Mellow and lovely. Not as much as I love other John Lennon albums but still wonderful. A little too folksy for me at times

so cool! oh my god I love John Lennon! 10/10

Fa-an vilka klassiker på det här albumet. Känns som en terapisession där Lennon gör upp med sin barndom, Beatles, hela sitt liv, på ett så rått och hjärtskärande sätt. Liksom, att avsluta albumet med en lo fi-inspelning av något som låter som en godnattvisa betitlad 'My Mummy's Dead' säger nog det mesta. Och att inleda med hur barnet i Lennon primalskriker efter sina föräldrar i 'Mother'. Samtidigt som mer standardrockiga låtar som 'Hold On' och 'Well Well Well' får plats, utan att vara malplacerade. Bästa låt: God.

A near perfect album. The only flaw IMO is the unnecessary and drawn out well well well.

“We’re not worthy! We’re not worthy” 🙇 🙌🏼

Epic!

I bet it was weird for Julian Lennon to listen to the song Mother from this album, If he ever did.

Le pendant grave et blessé du John souvent bouffon et léger qu’on a pu connaître ailleurs. Un album qui fait regretter ceux qui auraient pu être créés par l’artiste mature qu’il serait devenu

Albums like this are why i signed up for this project in the first place. i don’t know where the idea came from but somehow in my mind pop-culture had told me that John Lennon had become kind of a little bitch when he struck out on his own. But boy oh boy the hour I spent on this one really sent the record straight. He’s the man!

Stone-cold masterpiece. Of all the solo albums recorded by ex-Beatles after their dissolution, this is certainly the most important and moving one. "Mother", "Love", "Working Class Hero", "Isolation", and "God" are absolute gems--recorded in an understated fashion that make them timeless--and the rest is excellent as well, from start to finish. Primal therapy didn't help John Lennon solve the childhood-trauma-related issues he had. But it helped him record another stellar debut album, at least. Somehow, I have an inkling he knew this new hippie fad of his would mostly help him on an artistic level... If you add singles "Give Peace A Chance", "Cold Turkey" and "Instant Karma" to the songs I've just singled out (found in the latest CD editions), plus "Imagine", "Jealous Guy" and "Give Me Some Truth" from the next album *Imagine* (and maybe also "Mind Games"), you basically have a greatest hits compilation by Lennon. And the mere fact that more than *half* of those songs come from the era of this debut album testifies how important the latter is for the history of rock music. 5 stars. Number of albums left to review: 319 Number of albums from the list I find relevant enough to be mandatory listens: 304 (including this one) Albums from the list I *might* include in mine later on: 167 Albums from the list I won't include in mine (many other records are more important to me): 220

Great

January 23, 2024 HL: “Mother", "Hold On”, "Working Class Hero", “Isolation”, "Love", “God” Not first listen I do remember how the minimalist musical direction didn’t wow me the first time, despite standouts like W.C.H. and “Love”. As a Beatles fan (I should start every sentence with that), Plastic Ono Band is still an oddly challenging listen, not least because of the first and last tracks. Like John Lennon (and Paul McCartney), I lost my own mother when I was a teenager, so the emotion laid bare here is particularly intense. Considering how much time I’ve had for this Lennon album to grow on me, I think it’s safe to say it’s another 5-star. Just not addictive in the way the other Beatles solo projects are on this list Today gave me an excuse to listen to an album I’ve been putting off, Plastic Ono Band (Yoko’s Version). That was a bad move; but if you decide to check it out, do it for Ringo Starr. And Ornette Coleman

This album just feels like a Sunday morning. I miss records with this much clarity on the instruments. This is a start to finish album. Fantastic to the end.

What a great record. Raw energy and emotions paired with sparse instrumentation . Completely different from the Beatles but a classic with some of John’s best songs.

Good one. Took me back.

This album is super raw and released just post Beatles so there's definitely some anger in here which is pretty damn apparent. Mother, Working Class Hero, Isolation, Remember (love the abrupt ending), Love, God, and I'll even throw Well Well Well (5/5 for aggressiveness, also used perfectly in The Departed) are all incredible songs. The finger picking in Look At Me is very reminiscent of Dear Prudence. Like the other solo Beatle albums we've gotten, this one has so many jams on it. I've been going back and forth between a 4 or 5 and going to bump it up. It might be my favorite of the solo Beatle albums (between this and Ram) and I really do appreciate his raw and manic sounding songs.

classic John Lennon. Good stuff!

clássic plastic

John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band Unsurprisingly I’m very familiar with this album, and it is my favourite of his solo albums. As a snapshot of his state of mind in 1970 it is an incredibly honest and direct document. This is fully John Lennon, the person and the musician, in the 2nd half of 1970. He may have been different before or after but in keeping with his idea that the only true art is about the artist this is a real artistic statement. It has some of his best solo songs and is his best collection of songs on one album. Mother, Hold On, I Found Out, Isolation, Well Well Well, Look at Me and of course God, which I absolutely love. Ringo’s drumming on that song in particular is just incredible - all those different fills between all the I Don’t Believes. I listened to the Ultimate Mix and it sounds great. POB always sounded better than Imagine but now it really sounds great. It’s not always an easy listen, but it’s always a great listen. Just using 3 different song archetypes, piano led ‘ballads’, riff based rockers and acoustic folk style songs, he creates a mood, feeing and an emotional response. Pretty incredible really. If McCartney is a 5 this undoubtedly a 5 too. These first two solo albums are both incredibly revealing of each’s character and response to the world around them, and they make superb complementary listening. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Probably the album that made the greatest first impression on me in my entire life. I listened to it 5 times in a row. I was amazed by the power of the songs in relation to their simplicity and such a true and raw interpretation. With their poignant and honest words, those John Lennon songs really go straight to the heart and soul.

Such a great way to tell the world you're the best Beatles.

God has changed my life. The song, not the dude.

Absolute brilliant album. Lennon laid bare, emotionally charged lyrics that resonate. Inspired by the woman who really got him. Brilliant stuff 👏

I love this album. I’d have it as the second best album from an ex-Beatle (All Things Must Pass is comfortably #1 and is as good as any Beatle album IMO) and a tremendously influential work of art. John created a chillingly raw and emotional work that plays like window into his very being. There are no frills here. The playing is simple, as are the arrangements for the most part. It’s angry at times, sad oftentimes, and pure throughout. Highlights are I Found Out, Working Class Hero, Love, and especially Isolation.

This small humble record is one of the best albums of all times. In this specific instance, I want to praise ringo's drumming on this one. A masterclass of playing exactly what you need. Nothing less Nothing more.

"John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band" is the debut solo album by English musician John Lennon. The album was backed by the Plastic Ono Band including Klaus Vossman ( bass), Billy Preston (piano) and Ringo Starr (drums) and was released by Apple Records in tandem with the similarly titled album by his wife Yoko Ono. It was co-produced by Lennon/Ono and Phil Spector and captures an emotionally raw Lennon after his recent primal scream therapy. The lyrics address his personal issues including child abandonment and physiological suffering. The album reached #8 in the UK and #6 in the US. It actually had mixed reviews upon its release but now is widely recognized as his best solo album and in the top three albums of post-Beatle member albums. Church bells and rain sounding open "Mother." The piano, bass and drums come in as Lennon emotional sings about his parents abandoning him as a child. A gut-wrenching vocal delivery as he screams lyrics such as "Momma don't go, Daddy come home." "Working Class Hero" is another stark ballad. With just an acoustic guitar, Lennon comments on the social differences between the middle and upper classes. The second side opens with "Remember." It is more fast-paced and Beatle-esque and about things he remembered in his primal scream therapy; it takes you on a musical ride. Some more great Lennon vocals. The band gets larger with dual pianos in "God." It has three parts with the first part God a concept on how we measure pain. John has a list of concepts/items he denounces in second part including God, Elvis Presley and the Beatles. He wraps it up with his changes since the Beatles broke up. The album ends with "My Mummy's Dead," a short, tender song about John still dealing with his Mother's death. This is an album with very direct lyrics and emotional vocals. It is mostly serious and sometimes somber. Musically, the songs vary a bit with stark ballads, Beatle-esque pop and more rockers. It is a very good album and, I agree with the critics, ranking up with "Band on the Run" and "All Things Must Pass." Actually, maybe passing them, but I'd need to give a deeper listen to the other two.

John’s best solo

This album was very surprising to me… I haven’t listened to much of Lennon solo stuff and as an album, I wasn’t expecting what I heard. To my ear is, these songs are very simple musically, the most interesting part about them are the vocal gymnastics, Lennon uses/experiments with and the personal nature of the songs. There’s several songs that I was particularly intrigued by such as Well Well Well, Isolation and Cold Turkey …. On Well Well Well, he uses vocal styling bouncing back and forth b/w standard singing voice and pseudo screaming (Cold Turkey as well -pun!) …. isolation he plays with the pronunciation of the lyrics …. Cold Turkey and Mother, mummy’s Dead and Hold On seem like he’s simply singing lyrics he needs …. Very personal …. Anyway, liked it a LOT, wasn’t expecting that ….

I love this album but a lot of the songs kind of make me want to cry so idk if I’m gonna listen to it again in public

Outstanding album. Working Class Hero, Love and God are some of the most beautifully emotional and raw songs I've heard.

Better than Imagine.

One of my favourite solo Beatles album. Best album with a Cookie Monster reference.