John Lennon – Plastic Ono Band

I’ve still been on a Beatles/Lennon kick for the last few days and I knew I had this album in both CD and vinyl format for reasons other than just to be a trendy douchebag. The line-up is tight and lean with Yoko Ono being the fourth member adding “wind,” it’s the only post-Beatles album that features two Beatles on every single song (Ringo Starr and Lennon) and one of my all-time favorites. I remember hearing the individual songs on different greatest hits collections but I found a lot of them all on here, Lennon’s debut, Plastic Ono Band.

Part of the reason why it sounds to good to my ears, at least, is the fact that Starr is still playing drums on every single song here. Lennon definitely marks the occasion away from his Beatles days with pride (his full name “John Lennon” credited under every single song, the cover of just him and Ono) and still, he holds on a bit. The energy on “Remember” is tremendous and the clustered piano with sheer dissension is an amazing choice. Lennon asks if we remember and the music pulses with an intense pull. Right before “Love” it’s surely startling but the change of pace is excellent and the sequencing is one of the best aspects of Plastic Ono Band – everything just made sense.


I love how it starts with this harsh snarl “these freaks on the phone, won’t leave me alone…” before tearing into this blistering stomp. The music is so incredibly direct and the drive is on a physical ride for the best. I imagine bands like Queens of the Stone Age and others of similar style listening to this and being blown away. This came out in December 11 of 1970 so it sounds so fitting right now to hear it; but it’s crazy to imagine that Lennon had all of this music ready just months after The Beatles broke up. Everyone talked about how Lennon finally tackled his demons, denouncing everyone, “They can’t do you no harm to fell your own pain,” and it was justly poignant. Especially after the gorgeous swoon of “Hold on John,” “I Found Out” is a buzzing, freak-out gem of rock music.


I’m gonna get into some great hip-hop soon and hopefully write about it but Lennon was still in my mind and I’m blasting the record now so it made sense.- Bryan

John Lennon - I'm Only Sleeping/Love

I always solidified whatever thoughts I had about love with what John Lennon sings about on "Love." I think that there are so many arguments you could make about him being the best Beatle and I'm not sure if I even care, but "Love" was always the quintessential love song that was always genuine and never fake. I'm grateful for being able to grow up around such good music and I remember stealing Lennon's collection of hits from my dad to jam out to. "Love"'s simple piano melody and Lennon's voice are about as close to perfect as you could imagine. This song came out on his debut solo, Plastic Ono Band, and as I've been listening to that album a lot today, it still sounds vitally new. I still remember putting on the headphones and blasting the beginning just to be able to fully take in the quietness he was reaching for. The lyrics are so endearing and it's pretty special really.


Have you ever gone through your Beatles stage where you wanna find out who really wrote the song, who really sung the vocals and who really wanted it written to begin with? Sure, they had agreed on the Lennon/McCartney label long before but many songs were chiefly Lennon or chiefly McCartney. I always knew and felt "I'm Only Sleeping" as one of Lennon's song. The jangled melody allows the drums and bass to trip over each other and his words are so delectably easy to sing ("Please don't spoil my day, I'm miles away"), I could sleep all day. Revolver gets a lot of attention but this song just might be my favorite Beatles' song and it's a Lennon one, I'm sure of it. - Bryan