Brainwashed
by George Harrison
  • Record Label: Capitol
  • Release Date: Nov 19, 2002
Metascore
77

Generally favorable reviews - based on 16 Critic Reviews

Critic score distribution:
  1. Positive: 12 out of 16
  2. Mixed: 4 out of 16
  3. Negative: 0 out of 16
  1. E! Online
    91
    The songs don't exactly have the stripped-down demo feel Harrison intended--but mercifully aren't as over-glossed as those on his last solo album, 1987's Cloud Nine.
  2. AllMusic
    90
    Brainwashed isn't just a success, it's one of the finest records Harrison ever made.
  3. PopMatters
    90
    Brainwashed is a rich musical treasure trove well mined in execution and production.
  5. Entertainment Weekly
    83
    Stacks up remarkably well against the rest of his oeuvre. [22 Nov 2002, p.76]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. The A.V. Club
    80
    Harrison never seemed to recognize the difference between philosophical profundities and the sound of a catchy song, and that may have been his greatest gift to the world. Brainwashed offers a fine, final reminder of that gift.
  7. Mojo
    80
    A mature and often profound record. [Dec 2002, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  8. Billboard
    80
    Beautifully fatalistic and unimposingly pedagogical, Brainwashed is quite possibly Harrison's next-to-best album and a sober reminder that his passing is a loss too large to measure.
  9. Rolling Stone
    80
    Brainwashed is a warm, frank goodbye, a remarkably poised record about the reality of dying, by a man on the verge.
  10. Launch.com
    70
    Brainwashed is rich in warm Harrison vocals, couple with his distinctive slide guitar style. Unfortunately, it's also rife with often too-glossy production.
  11. Village Voice
    70
    It's a low-key and playful exit, without highs or lows.
  12. Dot Music
    70
    The result is pretty much what you'd expect from an album bearing Lynne's name on the credits.
  13. Austin Chronicle
    67
    The sad thing about Brainwashed is that for the first time in as long as one can remember, it leaves the listener with high hopes for what Harrison would have done next.

Awards & Rankings

86
#86 Best Album of 2002
51
#51 Most Discussed Album of 2002
44
#44 Most Shared Album of 2002

User Reviews

All reviews »
User Score
8.7

Universal acclaim- based on 41 Ratings

User score distribution:
  1. Positive: 37 out of 41
  2. Mixed: 0 out of 41
  3. Negative: 4 out of 41
  1. YANCARLOSRCOSTA
    Jul 9, 2016
    10
    It's an spiritual journey, since "Don't Bother me" to "Horse to the Water", Brainwashed has every side of the great George Harrison, it hasIt's an spiritual journey, since "Don't Bother me" to "Horse to the Water", Brainwashed has every side of the great George Harrison, it has social critics, spiritual messages, exquisite slide guitars, deep lyrics, great rock songs, Indian sounds, a lot of fun, serenity and sadness, after all this is the last one, but through this album what we get is a ride with an old friend who has not changed in all these years. As George said to John, "Through the good and the bad, I always look up to you"! Yes, we have, thanks for everything.… Full Review »
  2. nintendoid13
    Sep 26, 2012
    10
    I love this album. Harrison's writing is pure genius from "Taxman" and "Here comes the sun" to "What is life" to "Any Road". His death was aI love this album. Harrison's writing is pure genius from "Taxman" and "Here comes the sun" to "What is life" to "Any Road". His death was a true tragedy but as Ringo said in his song "Never Without You", 'And your songs, will live on, without you'… Full Review »
  3. sayid_islam
    May 26, 2011
    10
    insane and vintage Harrison slide guitar work. great vocals. hard to believe that Harrison was actually dying while recording this album. theinsane and vintage Harrison slide guitar work. great vocals. hard to believe that Harrison was actually dying while recording this album. the vocals are so strong and they make you believe what they project.
    Lyrics like on a typical Harrison album are philosophical and great. but the highlight is the guitar work. it contains some of his best twang in years. and that slide guitar, not blues-cliched but so lyrical. very beautiful. also one of Harrison's favorite instruments, the ukulele makes quite a few appearances. Needless to say, it adds to the beauty of the record.

    George couldn't have asked for a better farewell. but it also makes you sad, wondering what George could have produced after this, if he had continued. Sublime melody, certainly.    … Full Review »
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