MIND GAMES (LP)

On this disc, Lennon tackles his usual messages including love (of Yoko and mankind in general), peppy optimism in the face of dire circumstances, and humorous observations of crazy times and conditions. The breadth of his interests has always been gargantuan, and somehow when Lennon switches between the global focus of the title track to the personal "Yoko (I'm Sorry, I'm Sorry, Yoko)," he convinces us that these sentiments are not all that far apart. The playful, sexy "Tight As" is a jaunty rockabilly number reminding us that Lennon knows where he comes from.
On "One Day At A Time," a love song with nursery rhyme metaphors, Lennon's silvery falsetto, usually featured in Beatle background vocals, takes the lead and is truly heart-wrenching. The surreal, country dream pop of "You Are Here," with its steel guitars and leisurely tempo, pre-dates the luxurious kd lang/Ben Mink approach. To resist chanting along with the chorus on "Bring On The Lucie (Freeda Peeple)" would be near impossible--it is as infectious as it is politically correct. Special kudos to Gordon Edwards, whose sure and melodic bass playing could turn Paul McCartney's head.

• Genre: Pop
• Released: 8/21/2015
• Format: Vinyl