John Lennon/Plastic Ono Band

Actually fudged something because it's late and I need to go to bed - I didn't mean to suggest that lifting himself up and finding solace in his love was a commonality the album had with O'Neill's play, which is not something you'll find there. (However, the resentments and pain found within a damaged family is something both works do share.)

Great post birdistheword. Was talking about this point with a friend the other day, comparing Neil young and Jason Molina. Neil, even on a song as blatantly autobiographical as “don’t be denied” never seems egotistical/always touches the universal in a way Molina aspires to, but doesn’t reach with such consistency. This is my issue with POB, its spirit is too solipsistic. I find the music interesting, but I don’t like the personality which burdens itself upon it

POB has personal elements but it's also a performance that gives off a vibe of putting it all out there while actually holding a lot back which is a very clever art trick that also feels somewhat disingenuous to me.

I.e. art?

The definition of "personal" and the admiration of "personal" art strikes me as remarkable in 2023, and I post it without condescension: I didn't expect it.

I think he’s is saying that Lennon is disingenuous stating “look at me naked” when really he’s wearing a very fancy coat and it’s a bit awkward and uncomfortable.

Personal is too flimsy a word. The personal can make great art, and terrible art. It’s a matter of whether you can communicate something pure through your personhood, and that purity is often tarred by vain overindulgence. Lennon has always come off as overindulgent to me. Track number 1 on this album case in point.

Mother vs Julia

Both intensely personal, one screeches, expresses an insularity, communicating this is my experience alone and I live on this island no one may dock at (so why record it?), the other speaks outside of itself and so allows the listener to partner with the personality, considering their own relationship with their mother, consider their object of love, consider the love their actions seek

“When I cannot sing my heart, I can only speak my mind”

More singing, less speaking

expresses an insularity, communicating this is my experience alone and I live on this island no one may dock at

It does?

Could you talk to a bloke singing that outro?

Is there a thread for “songs to never sing at karaoke”?

(xp) Sure, why not?

Got more patience than me

POB's use of echo acts as the essential distancing device: I hear a series of performances by a guy almost as alien as Bowie would be.

Is there a thread for “songs to never sing at karaoke”?

Performative is a good description of this album