Search - Yoko Ono :: It's Alright (I See Rainbows)

Yoko Ono meets The Human League. Way unfairly judged

Da Man | Pekin, IL | 11/30/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"in late 1982, 2 years after the death of Lennon, Yoko Ono emerged with a new wave/pop album called "It's Alright (I See Rainbows)". The album topped out at a so-so #98, but most of it is because people didn't give it a shot. 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"

Excellent

Travis | 02/27/2000

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Yoko Ono decided to look at things in a positive light with this 1982 album. It was a contrast to her previous effort, 1981's "Season Of Glass", which was released right after John Lennon's death. Sadly, Yoko may have been sort of alone on this positive effort-it failed to chart significantly anywhere. Whether it was a hit or not, i certainly regard this as a classic.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.Quite obviously, i definitely recommend this album. As most of her albums do, this showcases Yoko Ono's great talent in many different fields. i truly think she is a genius, and this album definitely deserves to be in more collections."

The First Lady of Avant Garde goes Technopop

yokoboy@hotmail.com | Northern California, USA | 02/02/1999

(4 out of 5 stars)

"For this, her second album after the death of her late husband, Yoko Ono took to the more upbeat, light style of synthesized pop music to convince herself and the world that "It's Alright". The album contained some songs previously recorded by Ono for her unpublished "A Story" which would later surface in part on Onobox, and in full during the Ryko reissue series. The album in itself, though still a mirror of the death of John Lennon, was alot lighter than the previous "Season of Glass". This time around Yoko tried to remain upbeat although occasionally dipping into the melancholy as showcased on the hauntingly beautiful "Spec of Dust" or the synth-driven "Loneliness". The album as a whole seemed to sum up the state of mind Yoko was in at this time, 2 years after the death of her husband. This cd re-release is not exactly the same as the original album. Many of the songs have been remixed, remastered, or re-edited; some mostly for clarity, some to fill in the empty arrangements from the original production. In many cases this works to the advantage of the music. Songs like "Spec of Dust," "Wake Up," and the 50's style romp "Tomorrow May Never Come" surpass the originals in their new format. However, in the case of the album's 2 singles "My Man" and "Never Say Goodbye" and the title track "It's Alright," their new incarnations left them a bit muddy. The most unforgiveable of the re-edits would have to be the trimming down of "I See Rainbows". This was my favorite song from the original LP, and even though the new remix gives the song a stronger, more lively feel, I wish they would have kept the original length, you barely get a chance to start appreciating the song when all of a sudden it's over! Anyway all in all this is still a good album, and though it's not one of her best, it is still a must for Onofans everywhere. The Bonus tracks include a home demo of "Beautiful Boys" and a remixed version of "You're the One" which sounds completely different from the Milk & Honey version."