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Artist: Yoko Ono
Label: Rykodisc Category: Music Average customer rating: Format: Original recording reissued Media: Audio CD Number Of Discs: 1 UPC: 014431042225 EAN: 0014431042225 ASIN: B0000009RN Release Date: 1997-08-26 |
It's Alright (I See Rainbows)
Tracks:
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Album Details
Japanese Release to Contain an Exclusive Bonus Track. No Additional Information Available at this Time.Customer Reviews:
Melodious pop album.......2004-07-28
Yoko Ono meets The Human League. Way unfairly judged.......2003-12-01
I believe had any other artist recorded this album and these songs in 1982, this album would've been a top 10 hit. People who dislike Yoko, HATE her, without any real reason except the tired "she broke up the Beatles" line.
"My Man" is a cute new wave pop ballad that I think could've become a huge hit for Yoko had radio touched it. However, it's almost eerie considering "her man" was now dead.
"Never Say Goodbye" was the most new wave moment on the album, the song is covered in synths. At first it starts out sounding like an upbeat catchy song, but midway into the second verse, it takes a turn for the darker, with a dub of John saying "Yooooooooookoooooooooooooooooooooooo!!!!" in the background, and also has Sean come in saying stuff. The song turns out very dark and sad, with an ending that almost sounds like a sci-fi film.
"Spec Of Dust" was a very sad ballad about John.
"Loneliness" was remade from a 1974 song she did, I think this is another song that could've been a huge hit had radio dare played Yoko.
"Tomorrow May Never Come" is 50's flavored Yoko, a very catchy song.
"It's Alright" may very well be the centerpiece of the album. Another synth-heavy sounding track. Starts with a young Sean coming into Yoko's room waking her up saying "mommy, you have to wake up", and in many ways, represents a crossroads for her. The song deals with the fact that she's still sad in many ways, but she knows deep down everything will be alright in the end. Another "coulda been a smash" on this album
"Wake Up" is reggae-tinged, kind of a followup to It's Alright. Probably the weakest track on the album.
"Let The Tears Dry" is a haunting song. A very plain arrangement that almost sounds like she's singing in the middle of a war-zone. The song has plenty of "explosions". It's a depressing song and also one of the very best Yoko ever recorded.
"Dream Love" is the "power ballad" off it. People who hate Yoko's voice should take notice to this song, SHE CAN SING!!!
"I See Rainbows" is a positive way to end the album. A cute, albeit short, song stating that Yoko's making her way out of the tunnel and is emerging again.
The bonus tracks:
"Beautiful Boys" is a demo from the 1980 song off Double Fantasy. If you like that song, you'll like this. Basically the song on piano.
"You're The One" (Remix) is an extended dance version of the Milk And Honey track. Had this been released as a 12", Yoko would've scored dance hits BEFORE her recent run. The song transforms into a great dance-pop number.
Even if Yoko isn't your cup of tea, try this cd out. I once played it for a friend who never liked Yoko, but loved stuff like Human League and Depeche Mode, and he went crazy over this when I played it. Get over your preconcieved notions about Yoko before listening to her, she's very eclectic and not everything she does is "screaming like a cat in a blender".
This is easily her most accessable record
A bit pop-like but still great.......2002-06-15
The most difficult Ono CD for me to critique.......2001-05-12
Excellent.......2000-02-28
The album starts off with "My Man", which was a single. Yoko showcases how her man is "the best in the world", and how she loves him very much. It's actually quite strange on how this song ended up on the album because, frankly, her man was dead. Despite the irony, "My Man" is a great song. "Never Say Goodbye" is where i think Yoko tapped into her genius skills. The combination of the meaningful lyrics and great instrumentation makes this song one of my all-time favorites, with kooky synthesized sounds, handclaps, and heavy percussion. The end of the song isn't as upbeat-in fact, it's somewhat creepy and disturbing, with Sean Lennon's voice distorted as if in a horror movie, and a noise that sounds like outer-space creatures are landing. This section of course leads the listener into the heartbreaking "Spec Of Dust", which is one of Yoko's most beautiful ballads. "Why do i love you so if you're just a spec of dust?" Yoko ponders. Perhaps the saddest line of this song is "In my mind, I'm searching for you a billion miles away", showing how painful Yoko's loss really was. Again, the synthesizer that could only belong in Ms. Ono's music is present, this time blending in with a beautiful piano part. "Loneliness" is once again not as positive as the album's title or theme as a whole, describing how Yoko can "endure almost anything" except for loneliness. "Tomorrow May Never Come" is another favorite, with a short but simple message on how we really don't know what will happen to us. ("Yesterday may scar us forever/Today may never be found/Tomorrow may never come".) i almost see Side 1 as a lesson, almost like a continuous sequence of songs. This may be why Side 2 has not gotten as many spins on my turntable.
Side 2 starts off with the catchy and positive "It's Alright", which is a song i can definitely relate to. Yoko sings of how it's "such a drag getting up in the morning", and how she's afraid of the day ahead. But then, something clicks in her heart, and she knows "it's gonna be alright". "Wake Up" is probably my least favorite on the album, with a slower, more draggy beat, and sort of weird instrumentation. "Let The Tears Dry" makes up for this, though, and is another genius song on this album. It is maybe as dark as or even darker than "Spec Of Dust", with bombs dropping as part of the percussion. The handclaps are again present, but this time there are virtually no instruments playing, except for a whistle blowing a couple of notes from time to time. Yoko is accompanied with a chorus of background singers with the verses, adding to the song's beauty. The following song is much more positive and relieving, called "Dream Love". This once again is not my favorite, but it has pretty sounds of the outdoors, and peaceful lyrics. This song goes to show that Yoko Ono does not have to be a deep poet to be good. The final song, "I See Rainbows", is a bouncy end to the rollar-costar of emotions during the whole album. The positive lyrics help ward off any bad spirits the darker songs created, so it leaves you off with a happy note.
Music Album:
Music CD
Everything I Love ~ Johnny Varro
Echoes of a Northern Sky ~ Jeanette Wrate, Northern Lights Ensemble
Doctrine of Signatures ~ Glen Velez
Chante l'Été 42 ~ Michel Legrand
The Gathering ~ Jeff & Joan Beal
Greek Cinema ~ Various Artists