That in a nutshell was how critics described John Lennon's post-Beatles work and I couldn't help but agree.
Sure, Plastic Ono Band and Imagine were high watermarks, Lennon's yin and yang so to speak. What followed though was a series of mediocre albums that had sparks rather than sustained brilliance unbefitting of the man who once was the other half of arguably the greatest songwriting tandem of all time.
I remember the many late nights spent by this once pimply teenager listening intently albeit uncomprehendingly to this Dr. Janov's primal scream therapy inspired album.
The semi sacrilegious "God" and achingly tender "Love" stood out but I was more than shell-shocked after all those incessant screaming on "Mother," and "Well, Well, Well."
Many years later, I realized that this was a seminal work of a troubled and confused genius trying to come to terms with his past, present and future. It's visceral, raw, harrowing and even painful to listen to but once you get past that initial shock, you'd certainly be more appreciative of this album.
He allowed producer Phil Spector to apply just the right amount of production sheen to balance the inherent darkness of the songs.
Don't be misled by the serenity of the ubiquitous title track, the vulnerability of "Jealous Guy" and the playful and at times nursery rhyme sounding "Oh Yoko" because he was spewing fire and venom on the scathing "Gimme Some Truth," and the anti-social "I Don't Want to be a Soldier Mama."
Reportedly irked by some tracks off Paul McCartney's album Ram, he didn't mince words on "How Do You Sleep," a stinging response and a ferocious assault on his former songwriting partner and bandmate.
A case can still be made that Imagine is John's best work ever. Never mind if it's sugarcoated in some ways because the personal yet universal message of peace and love still ring true even up to this day. It's timeless and not just some snapshot of a now forgotten era.
