John Lennon - Mind Games

Released in 1973 after the dismal musical detour that was Sometime in New York City, Mind Games showed John Lennon returning to the emotional pop sounds of Plastic Ono Band and Imagine. But while the glorious title track (the album's only hit) was every inch a worthy successor to "Imagine," the rest of the songs were written off by most critics as half-baked experiments. In retrospect, most of them, while not classic stuff, are still better than the bulk of what passed for rock music in the early 1970s. "You Are Here" and "Out of the Blue" are definitely on par with Lennon's best solo work, while "Bring on the Lucie (Freda Peeple)" couches its political barbs in silly good humor. Even better is "Meat City," a rocker as wild and surreal as the "White Album"'s "Everybody's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey." The 2002 remastered reissue is fleshed out with three "home version" takes of album tracks. --Dan Epstein Amazon.com

no mind games in terms of whether it's good or not

Wow. People kept telling me to avoid John Lennon's Mind Games album, but I really am glad I didn't listen to any of them (no offense!)

The album cover is really great to me. I love it. I can sit there all day and look at just the cover alone, with the gigantic face looking straight up into the sky. A dreamy picture that one is. I've had dreams just like it, in fact.

Anyway, the music. The fantastic music! Obviously we won't find any songs as meaningful or powerful as "Imagine", but the title song, "Out the Blue", and Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)" are really top notch quality songs. I have no idea why so many people love the title song while ignoring a good part of the rest of it, claiming it's just inferior to the music Lennon has done in the past, or Lennon was going through a stage where he wasn't coming up with enough creative ideas, or whatever.

Other places you can find the lyrically memorable "Bring on the Lucie" (trust me, you'll remember the lyrics) and blues rock "Tight As", which sounds much different from the rest of the album. There's also a couple short, upbeat poppy songs with great lyrics ("Intuition" and "Only People"). Perhaps my favorite song from Mind Games (besides the title song) is "I Know (I Know)". Hard to believe this song wasn't a major hit. Listen to the way John pours his honest emotions into this one. I once again have to mention "Out the Blue". I truly love this song as well.

The only problem is "One Day (At A Time)". It's not a bad song. In fact, it's quite brilliant. It's just I prefer Elton John's version more. This version is quite mellow and laid back in comparison.

Yeah, the stuff on here is *slightly* worse (and quite mellow in spots) but it's really a rather enjoyable listening experience overall and worth owning. July 5, 2008

Mind Games

The quality of John Lennon's writing really began to slip with Mind Games. The only good songs here are "Mind Games" & "Meat City" which bracketed the original album. In between those two songs we are given nothing but filler. Of the filler the only decent songs are "Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)", "Out the Blue", "Only People" & "I Know (I Know)". At this point in his career he sorely needed a co-writer, Paul McCartney, perhaps? It's true that Lennon had a lot of things going on in his life at this time but his career needed more attention. Lennon had always been respected as a writer, particularly his lyrics, but it didn't happen here.

In this edition of Mind Games we are treated to three bonus cuts that are home demos. As a songwriter & musician I can appreciate these, barely. As a fan they are a waste of time. There has got to be better things that a fan could be treated to. The sound quality is excellent. The booklet is okay, we get the lyrics & some crude drawings by Lennon. We also get a few photographs. This was a sad point in Lennon's career which, to be honest, didn't really improve. In some ways he was the most talented Beatle but it doesn't show here. March 24, 2008

5 STARS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

This is a very hot lp - cd you'll love the flow of it Thanks may ping. March 18, 2008

A must for Lennon fans

After his trouble with the U.S. government and the polarizing "Sometime in New York," Lennon probably needed to soften his edges or risk damnation. So while "Mind Games" isn't exactly a McCartney-esque collection of bubbly pop and love songs, it buries the intent of his tracks beneath "kinder" methods. There's a Spector-like sheen polished into the title track, interwoven humor on "Bring on the Lucie," and a handful of pretty ballads and pop rockers to grab the attention of the casual and/or suspicious listener.

However, of his really good records (this being his third and last), it's easily the least essential and at times as uneven as later releases like "Walls and Bridges" and "Double Fantasy." But there's still more than enough good stuff to warrant a listen; in fact, the casual Beatles fan would probably be best served starting here for Lennon's solo career since it makes a cleaner transition.

Best cuts: "One Day (At a Time)," "Bring on the Lucie (Freda People)," "Out the Blue," "Mind Games," "I Know (I Know)," "Meat City," "You Are Here," "Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)" February 13, 2008

Some nice jams

Again this album is good, not great. A lot of nice jams on it. He could have accomplished so much more if he wasn't shot in 1980. October 3, 2007

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