John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Discordant and self-absorbed.

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!

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

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.

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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

I LIKE THIS ALBUM ACTUALLY

COOKIE!

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

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

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.

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.

Lovely album

3.5-4

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.

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.

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.

Meh

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

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.

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

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.

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.

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.

Always a classic

The most raw of an album created by a Beatle! Not the best, All Things Must Pass or RAM, may have that title, but it is the most honest and heartbreaking album of a Beatle. Lennon's voice is at its peak, his songwriting is so amazing! Well Well Well, there is a case for it to be the first grunge song ever made. God, is amazing! And Mother is possibly the best song written by a Beatle outside the Beatles! The album is a masterpiece and is Lennon at his absolute best!

I remember in my early twenties buying this CD on a whim from a discount bin in a small store. I had taken my car to the shop there after a sleepless night, and was killing time waiting to get the car back. I put it on on the drive home and in my sleep-deprived state couldn't parse what was coming out of the speakers, but it sure made me feel something. It does to this day.

From the tolling of the distored church bell at the start to the frankly harrowing nursery rhyme at the end this is a full on, let everything out for his sanity half finshed primal scream therapy session. Lennon strikes out on his own and decries everything from his past life - including his little know band previous to going solo. Lennon's supposed "me against the world" schtick seems weakend though when he has to crowbar Yoko into everything. The man was a mass of contradictions and this album at least gives us a little (if bleak) peak into how the sausage was made. Sometimes though, you may not want to know that. Best Tracks: Mother; Working Class Hero; God

Another record I keep returning to that feels weighty and deeply pained.

lennon sos un gorreado de mierda pero q bien cantabas y componías hijo de puta

so many memories connected to this album its impossible for it to be anything less than a 5

I look at this album cover every day because I have it framed in my bedroom. It's such a peaceful scene. I find it very calming. It's also a great album! John Lennon's lyrics feature raw emotional confessions and cynical observations about the world. There are a lot of spare piano-driven songs that highlight his pained vocals ("Mother" and "Isolation") but also some fantastic, blistering hard rock ("I Found Out" and "Well Well Well"). I also really like the touch of soul on "Hold On" and the folk anthem "Working Class Hero." "God" is stunning track too. It's a stark takedown of our idols (including Paul and the Beatles) that builds and builds before ending with a sweet message ("I just believe in me.") "Well Well Well" is my favorite song here though. Just incredible. Those screams in the second half of the song?! Amazing. I wish John Lennon lived long enough to form a hardcore band.

Mother I Found Out Working Class Hero Love God

Lennon. Venga, vinilo por Working class hero.

To be at the center of the storm is to lose stock in some things, whilst gaining quite a few new perspectives in return. Not to mention having some unresolved issues at hand that essentially forms the majority of who you are. And then there's the thing where you change, wholly, from the person that the people who love you for who you were projecting as to the the person that you most certainly feel yourself to be. John Lennon in 1970 was ready to finally be himself. No longer the dream-weaver, the walrus, the Beatle, John was reborn and he had to undergo a lot of pain to do so. The result was perhaps the most unvarnished, tortured, soul-bearing music of his career and undoubtedly his most quintessential. John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band is the dismantling of the mythos that had surrounded him the last six and a half years, a musical catharsis that is just as unflinching in its honesty as it is rewarding in repeated listens. One would have no problem offering this up as the best Beatles solo album (and John's best solo outing) in large part due to the lack of pretension and overbearing political/sociological posturing that would define his far more popular works. Its rawness, nearly fifty-five years on, is what makes it enduring. When listening to this, it often feels as though there is no turning back to who one was.

Very interesting album and one you need to be prepared to listen to. It's therapy set to music, and it's just not anyone, it's a Beatle, it's John Lennon doing this. Take away the provenance would the music and songs have the same impact? Probably not and therefore the people this album connects with are those that yearn to connect to Lennon.

A pretty powerful record dealing with some very human stuff like grief and disillusionment. Lennon was a masterful songwriter and musician and able to channel that emotional energy into a collection of memorable and relatable songs.

I have listened to this album countless times. I've listened to a lot of the outtakes, different mixes, jam sessions from this recording session, too. I'm a huge John Lennon fan and find this raw, introspective, and vulnerable version of him to be some of his best work.

Havent listened to this one in years. I love the stripped down production of it. Great timeless tunes.

I needed this one today. This takes me back to a warm winter day, soon after Christmas, playing Star Wars Rogue Squadron and listening to John Lennon. The shadows were long in the late afternoon, and school was still out for a few more days. I felt the Isolation for sure, but I felt the Love as well. I don't know if it was a simpler time at all. Strong in this one, the nostalgia is.

Love everything about this record! The sound of it the lyrics all the songs. Up there with the best. Xx

Classic, nuff said.

Expressão de modo autêntico e intenso em vulnerabilidades e fragilidades são o ponto de partida da a confirmação da capacidade criativa de músicas populares.

I hadn’t listened to much of John Lennon’s solo work. When I see the word Ono, I think of Yoko. My first thought about Yoko is her screaming “art.” Not something I wanted to engage in. I’m glad the 1001 encouraged me to listen. What a beautiful way to convey his deep pain and disagreements with society. Working Class Hero is especially noteworthy.

I won’t even beat around the bush here - I’m a huge John Lennon fan. So when this album popped up I already knew what I thought of it, having listened to it more times than I can count. After all the bells and whistles that came with producing Beatles records, John certainly took his own path as the band were on their way to breaking up. His experimental albums with Yoko (Unfinished Music Vol. 1 & 2, Wedding Album) were by no means chart topping hits, but it certainly showed that John wasn’t too concerned about what the public thought of his work at the time. That was true even when he released ‘John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band’. Make no mistake, this isn’t a very radio friendly LP. And upon its release (at least from what I have read), it wasn’t all that well received from critics; and its reputation only grew over the years and decades that followed. Part of it you could attribute to critics licking their lips in excitement to dissect any solo Beatles effort. While another part you could definitely attribute it to is the fact that 'Plastic Ono Band' was just so vastly different from anything he did with The Beatles. I always refer to this as Lennon’s “therapy” album. In the latter half of The Beatles time, John’s lyrics were getting a LOT more introspective in general. But with ‘Plastic Ono Band’ it feels like he completely opens the curtain to invite the listener in. This is him at his most angry. At his most sad. And in his most vulnerable state. This LP is essentially the chronicles of a man who found himself at a mental low point presenting us with his journey of self realization through some hard self reflection; and letting us hear how he views society at large. While from a music and production standpoint things are kept quite simple as a means to let the lyrics shine, I do also feel the simplicity somehow adds to the overall mood. Particularly the distorted, grungy guitar littered throughout the tracklist. But it's not without moments of clean acoustic songs and piano ballads. When you do listen to this LP - I recommend the version that has the three bonus tracks: Give Peace a Chance, Cold Turkey, and Instant Karma! (We All Shine On). These were singles that did not appear on any of his studio albums and they are well worth your time.

Great solo album, with a great raw sound to it. It’s the opposite of overproduced and the emotionality of it is just *chef’s kiss* 4.6 stars

Best solo John Lennon album in my book. I’d even say better than some (emphasis on some) Beatles albums.

I mean cmon so good and a 50% Beatles album though all Beatles solo albums just lack the magic of all four of them together. Still a solid 5!

Some of his greatest solo stuff, especially after just leaving that huge Beatles wave.

Beautiful album that reminds me of a lovely time in my life.

I don’t take any offense in the religious disowning on the sublime “God”. But no five words on any post-Beatles record hurt more than: “I don’t believe in Beatles”.

Wow. Excellent. Can def tell Kurt Cobain listened this. Prob one of best Beatles departure albums. Fantastic 👍

You know, Lennon was a real asshole. Maybe the opening track Mother explains why. It is a great song, and shows he was a real brilliant songwriter (vocals, arrangements). I don't think the whole album is as good, but I did enjoy it a fair bit. Well, Well, Well was another where he alternated between more tempered almost baritone vocals and near-screaming. Both of which he does well. I Found Out, Working Class Hero, and God all have some wicked lyrics, but the former two are more beautiful in their simple delivery - Working Class Hero feels like a Dylan or a Cash classic. Isolation is another simple delivery and it's beautiful too. Ditto Look at Me. Hold On and Love are both solid and more positive in tone but they're not my favorites. I hate every time he refers to Yoko because to me it shows his excessive infatuation with fleeting things. For a smart guy, he sure was impetuous. Still, put the man aside and this is a darn good album. It felt like a 4 but as I noticed how many songs I took the time to point out, I crept up. It's not a 5 and probably about a 4.5, but I'll round up for one of the greatest musicians and songwriters we've ever seen/heard, even if he was an ass.

Everything on this album fits together really well. I wasn't expecting it would be this good, which seems silly considering it is John Lennon. Five stars or A.

Short, but still loose; clearly linked to his band before, but still its own thing; intensely personal, but from one of the most famous musicians ever; hugely varied but fits together beautifully. So, an album of contradictions! But I love John, and Working Class Hero is one of the great anthems, and even his "poorer" songs are better than most other artists could hope to achieve!

Lennon is probably the reason I'm here today. I probably wouldn't even enjoy music if in the past I hadn't come into contact with his voice and his unique way of writing songs about his feelings in a way that no one else can. Since the Beatles, he has already explored the personal side he imprinted on his songs, but especially in his solo career, like on this album, it is very clear how personal these songs are, which gives the feeling of being extremely real and establishing a direct connection between Lennon and the listener. So it's not uncommon to hear stories from people who claim that "Lennon spoke to me." Lennon put heart and soul into his songs like no one else... Besides, of course, a certain Paul, but that's a story for another day.

COOKIE

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

Better than Imagine.

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

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

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 ….

John’s best solo

"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.

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.

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.

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

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

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

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.

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. ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

clássic plastic

classic John Lennon. Good stuff!

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.

Good one. Took me back.

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.

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.

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

Great

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

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!

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

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

Epic!

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

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

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.

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

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