Living In The Material World (Vinyl) [Import]

phil from Cambridge Canada

In 1970 the Beatles split up and their solo careers began. Everyone probably knew ahead of time that John Lennon and Paul McCartney were destined for great things in their solo careers, but it's doubtful anyone knew just how successful George Harrison's would be. His solo debut album, All Things Must Pass, took the world by storm, and showed them that the so-called "quiet Beatle" actually had a lot to say. Following his classic Concert For Bangladesh, he released his second solo album, Living In The Material World. Read om for my review.

The album kicks off with Give Me Love (Give Me Peace On Earth), the song on the album that everybody knows. This is one of George's biggest solo hits, and an extremely catchy song. It's only proper that this song receives all the credit it does. Although it's really the only big hit on the album, the other material is no less excellent. Track number two, Sue Me Sue You Blues is George's message to Paul McCartney. It's not nearly as cold and cruel as John Lennon's How Do You Sleep?, though. It's an underrated little tune. Third is The Light That Has Lighted The World. Admittingly, this tune is a little harder to get into than the others on the album, but if you give it some time to grow on you, you'll grow to love it. Don't Let Me Wait Too Long is another excellent pop rocker, probably the most Beatles-sounding thing on the album. More underrated good stuff from George. Who Can See It is one of George's most underrated solo tunes of all - you really must hear it to be able to fully appreciate it. In the title track, George combines a plethora of different musical stylings, which make for a rather interesting tune. The Lord Loves The One (That Loves The Lord) is another one of those tunes with a slight religious theme. Here there is some excellent guitar playing, as well as a sound that is similar to the solo work George would do later in the decade. The "love it or hate it" song featured on the album is Be Here Now. I actually quite like this tune, but a number of George fans have different feelings. To formulate an opinion of this track, you really need to listen to it. Try Some Buy Some is a good song, but it's definitely overproduced (the overproduction of All Things Must Pass is one of the major complaints fans have about that album.) Still, it's not bad by any means. The Day The World Gets 'Round features George expressing his true feelings on a few issues, and he even took some heat for them. Fortunately, this little incident never brought George's career to a standstill. And finally, we have That Is All. It's a slower, more melodic tune than most of the stuff on the album, and it makes for an excellent finisher.

Overall, Living In The Material World isn't quite up to the quality of its predecessor, All Things Must Pass, but it's an excellent album nonetheless. If you're a fan of the Beatles and/or George Harrison's solo work, this is one of many albums that you shouldn't be without.