Yoko Ono Plastic Ono Band - Between My Head and the Sky

I think it is fair to say no person in the history of popular music has taken more shit than Yoko Ono. I am here to say it has been totally unfair in my view. And guess what? I don’t have to say it- her startling new album says it loud and clear. Artsy as fuck, noisy as hell, and full of brainy, modern music she kicks back against the pricks by not giving an inch (that’s four curse words in one paragraph). This album is not a huge departure from her other recent work; in other words it is informed by dance beats and incorporates lots of avant tape loop sound effects. It is thoroughly modern and utterly hypnotic. If you are among those who feel that "she broke up the Beatles, and all she does is moan anyway" then stay away- this tiger has not changed her stripes. Ono is totally uncompromising in her artistic vision. Just as she made recordings with John Cage and Ornette Coleman before the Beatles even existed, she surrounds herself with the cream of American and Japanese avant musicians and sounds completely relevant, and way ahead of the curve all at the same time. This is perfect music to listen to in an oxygen bar in Tokyo 50 years from now. It would fit in perfectly in Ridley Scott's chilling Blade Runner city-scape. Listen to it if you don't care what anyone else thinks about your taste.
Paul Epstein