Twelve of the songs here are vintage, unheeded warnings plucked from Ono's catalogue. The finale is Imagine--which now rightly bears a Yoko co-credit. All is transformed by the sparse new arrangements, mostly piano-led with strings, which bring the horrors--and occasionally the hope--closer to home. [Nov 2018, p.94]
The production is minimal throughout, often foregrounding Ono’s one take vocals against naive sounding guitar and piano backdrops. Side Two showcases Ono’s childlike side and is much more fun.
While some may not see these recordings displacing the originals as their go-to version, "I Love All of Me" is an example of Ono's new take being a compelling update.
Because its overt politics now feel so inadequate, Warzone works best as a melancholy gesture, a long look back at a time when dreaming of a better world felt invigorating rather than exhausting.
Warzone is as much about her individual experiences as it is about the world we all inhabit. The album is not without flaws, the sentimentality of certain songs occasionally threatening to spill into the maudlin, but the overriding sense is one of deep and critical reflection, offering a sensitivity that is needed in our world now as much as ever.
If by representing these protest songs Ono intended to convey how little has changed since she first recorded them in the spirit of social activism then she has succeeded, but Warzone also highlights how the conversation has evolved.
A masterpiece from one of the most innovative, creative and interesting artists to ever grace the earth with her genius. These songs, selectedA masterpiece from one of the most innovative, creative and interesting artists to ever grace the earth with her genius. These songs, selected from her back catalogue, have been reconstructed and re-recorded by Yoko and producer Thomas Bartlett and serve as a reminder that Yoko’s message is timeless and relevant now more than ever, in addition to highlighting her beautiful talent for lyric and idiosyncratic melody writing. This may be Yoko’s final album and if it is, it is as impactful and career defining as any swan song has been.…Expand
Creatively recreated her past works and is still as great as ever. Her voice sounds great for her age and it is a great nostalgia filled albumCreatively recreated her past works and is still as great as ever. Her voice sounds great for her age and it is a great nostalgia filled album and her cover of imagine is hauntingly beautiful…Expand
The new arrangements are quite good, but Yoko's voice is no longer the powerful and expressive instrument it once was. Her speak-singing hereThe new arrangements are quite good, but Yoko's voice is no longer the powerful and expressive instrument it once was. Her speak-singing here often sounds tentative or rushed. Sadly, age seems to have caught up with Yoko. Best tracks: Hell in Paradise, Now or Never, Imagine.…Expand
What fresh hell is this? I had to shower after I listened to it, and I STILL feel dirty. I feel sad and confused. Why does this have anWhat fresh hell is this? I had to shower after I listened to it, and I STILL feel dirty. I feel sad and confused. Why does this have an average score of 70? Why is she still making music? No. No. No.…Expand
The greatest bumper sticker ever printed out and slapped on the back of a car is actually a bumper sticker I personally have never seen. ButThe greatest bumper sticker ever printed out and slapped on the back of a car is actually a bumper sticker I personally have never seen. But my dad did, at least once, and it always makes me laugh and brings me a certain amount of joy when I think about it. The bumper sticker reads: "Still Pissed At Yoko." Alas, it seems this very concise but utterly perfect little statement was more of a 70's and 80's thing, if it was ever widespread at all.
The fact that Yoko has the gall to release this collection is more than enough reason to "still be pissed" at her. I actually did listen to "Warzone," believe it or not. Or rather, I tried to listen to it, but I could not finish it due to my fear that my ears would soon begin bleeding. Even someone who doesn't despise Yoko Ono would find this audio experience tough going in the extreme. Is there anyone on this planet less qualified to record their voice in a musical context? If you can even call her releases "music"? You know, I would accept her "art" as genuine music if she just agreed to never, ever record her voice along with her muzak. Yes, I meant to write "muzak." Because her instrumental compositions, disregarding the ambient recordings of blatantly non musical and unpleasant things like the sounds of gunfire in the title track, are only fit for the bland but unoffensive background soundtracks of elevators, certain bathrooms, and gigantic department stores.
However, add in her dying/in the process of being tortured feline screech of a "singing" voice, and her muzak becomes totally unlistenable. You may have heard jokes about Yoko's music and singing over the years, but if you've never actually given her drivel a listen, please do so. You will be amazed that someone thought this garbage was fit for commercial release. Remember that guy on American Idol years back who was the national laughing stock for a few weeks–William Hung, I think his name was? Remember how incredibly and comically awful a singer he was? People still laugh at that guy. Yoko Ono is ten times worse than Hung, but in certain circles, she is actually somewhat or outright respected, and I'm sure some nutcases out there buy the idea that she's actually a misunderstood genius. She's not. She's a total idiot who got insanely lucky and who has been shamelessly riding the gravy train that John Lennon got her a permanent seat on in the 1960's.…Expand
