Erika (June 9, 2007)

This album just goes to show that John Lennon wasn't quite perfect! Which is not to say that it's bad, just that it's just alright. There are no outstanding songs on this album, even the title track "Mind Games" is just good, not great. This album isn't very good compared to Lennon's others, especially "Imagine" and "Plastic Ono Band." If you want to do ex-Beatle comparisons, Paul's 1973 album "Band on the Run" is much better.

Bruce Beatlefan (December 13, 2005)

Although there are some very fine moments, for some reason this album always sounds to me like "Warmed Over Imagine". Very unlike John Lennon to do anything twice. Most songs are enjoyable, but nothing causes me to drop what I'm doing and turn up the CD player (or radio).

John (July 16, 2005)

Following up the horrendous Sometime In NYC was this passable album. Very ordinary in every way. Nothing really stands out. It included the #1 single Mind Games, which is OK. Bring Out the Lucie is alright. Out the Blue is almost a good love song. Everything else is average at best. After the terrific start of his solo career, John now had two disappointing efforts in a row.

A great album, rescued by the re-mix (May 13, 2010)

Love this record and have for 37 years. No real turkeys, and a few classics. Thanks for the re-mix, Yoko.

A Fresh Mind-Look (December 4, 2009)

Even though I have idolized John Lennon since he first hit the shores of America, I think that today I appreciate his wisdom and creativity even more, especially since his music has been remastered. This album is a perfect example. It's been years since I listened to the entire work. With this remastered version, I, wiser now myself, feel that I am hearing a new album. The clarity of the sound gives these tracks a vibrant richness that I didn't notice before, and "everything is illuminated".

For me, the tracks fall into 3 categories: serious/meaningful, mid-tempo and solid rock. In the first group are "Mind Games", "Aisumasen", "Out Of The Blue" and "You Are Here". "Mind Games" is Lennon in his solo eclectic prime, incorporating inspired lyrics and a beautiful melody ("Loooove iiis the answer, and you know that for sure" gets me every time), socio-political concerns, and the influence of Yoko's philosophy and conceptual art. "Aisumasen" has Lennon exposing his passion, guilt and love against a traditional blues background, complete with a nicely executed basic blues/rock guitar solo. In "Out Of The Blue", he thanks "the Lord and Lady" (equality, even for gods) for the love he has found. Allied with the cosmic lyrics ("Like a UFO you came to me") are celestial, dream-like back-up voices which comprise one of the stylistic tools of this album. A keyboard interlude, crystal clear from the remastering, adds distinction to the track. "You Are Here" has been dismissed by some as muzak, but to me, the metaphorical global references ("From Liverpool to Tokyo, what a way to go...East is east, and west is west, the twain shall meet") which represent John and Yoko's union, in a gentle melody which floats over smooth "slide" guitar, raise it far above the muzak level. And then there are those ghostly back-up voices.

Of the mid-tempo songs, "One Day At A Time" is the best. It is enlivened by John's falsetto vocal, a bouncy chorus and those eerie back-up singers again. "Intuition", "I Know" and "Only People" are good mid-tempo songs; a little on the light side, but they have their attractions. Actually, "Intuition" has a touch of early Doors, which is definitely a good thing.

The rock tracks, all strong, range from the graphic "Tight A$" ("just as tight as a dope fiend's fix, my friend"), to the politically aggressive "Bring On The Lucie/Freda People" ("Your time is up, you better know it"), to the wild abandon of "Meat City" ("People were dancing like there's no tomorrow").

I consider "Mind Games" to be in the same league with Lennon's best - "Plastic Ono Band" and "Imagine" - all 5-star albums. By the way, the 3 bonus tracks are home versions of "Aisumasen", "Freda People" and "Meat City". They are pretty stripped down, which does not appeal to me; but if you like things acoustic, there they are, with altered lyrics.

Lennon Picks Up the Pieces (December 2, 2009)

Recovering from the critical and commercial failure of "Some Time in New York City," John Lennon tries to recapture the "Imagine" spirit with this pleasant, inoffensive album. "Mind Games" (1973) benefits from its reggae-tinged title song, the underrated ballad "Out of the Blue" and punchy rockers such as "Tight A$" and "Meat City." Too bad the remaining tracks are undistinguished by Lennon standards. "Bring on the Lucie (Freeda People)" is a sloppy rehash of "Power to the People" - while "Only People" sounds like the lightweight commercial jingle it eventually became. Though uneven, "Mind Games" would prove a step in the right direction, as evidenced by John's harder-edged "Walls and Bridges" (1974).

no mind games in terms of whether it's good or not (July 5, 2008)

Wow. People kept telling me to avoid John Lennon's Mind Games album, but I really am glad I didn't listen to any of them (no offense!)

The album cover is really great to me. I love it. I can sit there all day and look at just the cover alone, with the gigantic face looking straight up into the sky. A dreamy picture that one is. I've had dreams just like it, in fact.

Anyway, the music. The fantastic music! Obviously we won't find any songs as meaningful or powerful as "Imagine", but the title song, "Out the Blue", and Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)" are really top notch quality songs. I have no idea why so many people love the title song while ignoring a good part of the rest of it, claiming it's just inferior to the music Lennon has done in the past, or Lennon was going through a stage where he wasn't coming up with enough creative ideas, or whatever.

Other places you can find the lyrically memorable "Bring on the Lucie" (trust me, you'll remember the lyrics) and blues rock "Tight As", which sounds much different from the rest of the album. There's also a couple short, upbeat poppy songs with great lyrics ("Intuition" and "Only People"). Perhaps my favorite song from Mind Games (besides the title song) is "I Know (I Know)". Hard to believe this song wasn't a major hit. Listen to the way John pours his honest emotions into this one. I once again have to mention "Out the Blue". I truly love this song as well.

The only problem is "One Day (At A Time)". It's not a bad song. In fact, it's quite brilliant. It's just I prefer Elton John's version more. This version is quite mellow and laid back in comparison.

Yeah, the stuff on here is *slightly* worse (and quite mellow in spots) but it's really a rather enjoyable listening experience overall and worth owning.

Mind Games (March 24, 2008)

The quality of John Lennon's writing really began to slip with Mind Games. The only good songs here are "Mind Games" & "Meat City" which bracketed the original album. In between those two songs we are given nothing but filler. Of the filler the only decent songs are "Aisumasen (I'm Sorry)", "Out the Blue", "Only People" & "I Know (I Know)". At this point in his career he sorely needed a co-writer, Paul McCartney, perhaps? It's true that Lennon had a lot of things going on in his life at this time but his career needed more attention. Lennon had always been respected as a writer, particularly his lyrics, but it didn't happen here.

In this edition of Mind Games we are treated to three bonus cuts that are home demos. As a songwriter & musician I can appreciate these, barely. As a fan they are a waste of time. There has got to be better things that a fan could be treated to. The sound quality is excellent. The booklet is okay, we get the lyrics & some crude drawings by Lennon. We also get a few photographs. This was a sad point in Lennon's career which, to be honest, didn't really improve. In some ways he was the most talented Beatle but it doesn't show here.