Sadly, George Harrison is dead - somehow, though, he has managed to record another album.
Weird.
Actually, this is a good thing. The last years of this "quiet Beatle" were apparently well-spent, writing and recording new music despite his ailments.
Perhaps the end of his life was occupied by philosophizing about life, something bigger and the impermanence of it all.
The new album is called Brainwashed, and with it comes his heart. There is absolutely nothing pretentious about this music. It is easily grasped and enjoyed.
"Give me plenty of that guitar," he says, starting off the first track "Any Road." And so begins a whole experience of philosophy melded with groovy guitar.
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He goes on with lyrics that reflect his Zen-like personality such as "Bow to God and call him sir/ But if you don't know where you're going/ Any road will take you there."
As the album continues there is an abundance of easy-going slide guitar riffs and serenades such as the lyric-less, but not lacking "Marwa Blues," that is truly Harrison incarnate.
One of the most enjoyable songs on Brainwashed is a song called "Never Get Over You," which feels like the best kiss in the world.
Another musically great track is called "Rocking Chair in Hawaii" that's similar to a lullaby and reminiscent of his days as a Beatle.
However, this album does lean toward the cheesy side at times.
The title track, for example, gets a little Tom Petty-ish in the vocals and the lyrics.
But it does have an important message of seeking guidance from everyday ignorance in the world, "God God God/You are the wisdom that we seek/God God God/ The lover that we miss."
The album ends with Harrison singing the Hindu prayer Namah Parvati.
Brainwashed is sweetly reminiscent. And I stress sweetly here because George's music always feels like one of those wonderful friendships from kindergarten that you haven't thought about in 10 or 12 years, but it's refreshing once you do.
Even though the bulk of this man's life happened long before my generation came along, his music has always been able to make me nod my head in contemplation because I can totally feel him sharing a moment with me.
Brainwashed is a nice way for him to say goodbye. It is more like he's telling us not to worry, that he's not really gone.
He is, but only in the physical sense.
