Plastic Ono Band is John Lennon's first official and (by far) my favorite solo record. Heck, I listen to this record more than I do any of The Beatles records. If I ever get stranded on a desert island I hope this is one of the records I have with me. This album plays like a self-help record to me. Whenever I'm feeling down, depressed or just unsure about life, I throw on "Plastic Ono Band" and John tells me how it is, that he's been through the same fucked up shit and that everything's gonna be alright. And if anyone knows about that shit I'm guessing it’s him, because homeboy had more issues than anyone I know. The Beatles had just broken up and John has just completed what he called 'Primal Scream' therapy (hence the reason he’s screaming his brains out on “Well Well Well”) with Dr. Arthur Janov. He used this album to exorcise allot of his demons and basically purge everything there was to purge. This is the unveiling of the "real" John Lennon as he lashes out at the world and lets loose a lot of his pain, which in turn sounds like the punkest folk record I've ever heard. Although the whole album is great, these two tracks are my favorites (“Working Class Hero is a close third). "I Found Out" is about his disgust for religion (Christianity – “There ain’t no Jesus gonna come from the Sky” & Krishnas - "Ole Hare Krishna got nothing on you, just keeps you crazy with nothing to do") and an ironic encouragement to say no to drugs (“Don’t let them fool you with dope and cocaine, no one can harm you feel your own pain"). And I love how "Remember" takes what seems to be forever to get to the cheerful bridge of “Don't feel sorry 'bout the way it's gone, Don't you worry 'bout what you've done”. Oh and if you buy the cd, ignore the bonus tracks “Do The Oz” and “Power To The People”, they’re total bummers.
Sean Lennon also rules too.
Posted by: Jar | Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 06:35 AM
this is one of my all time favorite records ever. for anyone who cares or is confused about the classic argument (paul or john), just look at it like this, john lennon made amazing music like this when he went solo...paul mccartney does haltime shows for the NFL. still confused?
Posted by: kucera | Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 09:22 AM
haha... yes, that made my day.
Posted by: Travis Keller | Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 10:21 AM
Don't forget about George Harrison though! His "All Things Must Pass" is my favorite album by a former Beatle.
Posted by: Andrew | Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 11:08 AM
Yes. I just rediscovered this album and remembered how solid it is throughout. I particularly like "God" the best. But "Remember" is also a really great song. And, I'm in "agreeance" that "All Things Must Pass" is classic too... just way too long winded.
Posted by: Dave Clifford | Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 11:38 AM
“Don’t let them fool you with dope and cocaine, no one can harm you feel your own pain". -The first time i ever did coke was during a radio show i used to host and this record was playing (the first time id heard it) and afterward i went on this coked out tirade about how yoko ono sucks... anyway i was totally floored.
Posted by: jeff | Thursday, April 28, 2005 at 05:02 PM
I love this record too... good call Sivart. Great production too! Isn't the graphic designer Claus Voorman on bass too? I always thought that was a great detail!
Posted by: shelbot | Saturday, May 07, 2005 at 01:21 AM
You are correct on bass duties. I wish I still had this paper back book which was a long interview with John Lennon that broke down the whole album and talked about all the little geeky trival details like that. Like what the 5th of November was (the last line of Remember). Which if you don't know was when someone tried to blow up the english parliment building. The brits still celebrate it every year with fireworks.... ok I'm rambling.
Posted by: Travis Keller | Saturday, May 07, 2005 at 01:38 AM
Guy Fawkes day. It also happens to be my birthday.
Posted by: Tim | Saturday, May 07, 2005 at 02:50 PM