Review of John Lennon's 'Imagine'

Imagine is an album which undoubtedly reveals the genius of John Lennon. Paradoxically, it also illustrates just how maddeningly average he can be. To confound the listener even more the lyrical and musical structure which is present in the good songs is exactly the same as that in the bad. Why it works at some times and not at others is hard to tell, and of course it is not really relevant.

To start on a (very) positive note it can be said, without resorting to hyperbole, that this album contains some of the best songs you'll ever hear. The title track, also the opener, is one of those songs destined to be sung by generations of people and certainly shows that the above statement is no exaggeration. Those lucky enough to know "Imagine" know that it comes as close to pop perfection as is possible.

As if that wasn't good enough the album also features a song called "Oh My Love," which itself comes as close to "Imagine" as is possible. It is very similar in style - a piano-based dirge - every bit as emotional and every bit as brilliant. In this musical hymn to his love, Yoko, Lennon captivates by baring his soul and this is one of the main reasons why it is so powerful.

Similar again is "Jealous Guy" where we are treated to more piano and more soul searching. The listener feels every bit of Lennon's grief as he sings "I was feeling insecure/you might not love me any more," and "I didn't want to hurt you/I'm just a jealous guy."

Rounding out the quartet of brilliant songs (and making the customary reference to his wife) is "Oh Yoko." Much more fast-paced than the previous three, it is nonetheless just as emotionally honest. These four gems, spread throughout the album, help cushion the blow of the duds.

The first of these is "Crippled Inside." With a title like that one, it mentally prepares for something intense along the lines of "Jealous Guy"; instead it is nauseatingly upbeat and annoying, much like the chorus of the Beatles' song "What Goes On." Additionally, "It's So Hard," "I Don't Want to be a Soldier" and "How do you Sleep?" are uninspired and repetitive.

Actually calling them repetitive raises an interesting point, for so are the good songs. For instance, while "you got to" appears 11 times in "It's So Hard" and "I don't wanna" can be counted 24 times in "I Don't Want to be a Soldier," words and phrases constantly recur in the likes of "Oh Yoko!" The difference, though, is that here the repetition provides

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