I have to admit: I am terrified of taking on John Lennon. But, I committed to this without inventorying my entire library very well, so it's my fault. Here goes nothing.
Acoustic is the 2004 release compiling sixteen acoustic demo, studio, and live recordings by John Lennon. Although I enjoyed the album, I was not terribly impressed. I realize the risk I take in saying this, but I feel that Lennon's timelessness is overrated. His music is good, he can sing, and his lyrics were prescient at the time of these recordings, but his words have lost the power and presence that only the context of an era can provide. Lennon did not provide the language of longevity, but rather that of "all the people living for today" ("Imagine").
Reflecting upon the last eight years, there have been several singles, albums, even bands, who have succeeded off the popular disgust with now former President Bush. I'm fairly certain these bands will fall by the wayside now that Bush is out of office and will be replaced quickly enough with the next wave of artists with catchy guitar riffs and angry lyrics. Even Lennon, one of the most renowned pop musicians of all time, can't escape irrelevance. Until lyricists learn the power of metaphor, and become "enlightened" enough to see past the petty problems of the present, and see the truths behind them, every one of them will become like Lennon--and I don't mean that in a complimentary manner.
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