It was fifty years ago today- November 11, 1968 Beatle John Lennon and Yoko Ono released their new ‘album” Unfinished Music No. 1: Two Virgins upon the world. Curious with The Beatles White Album coming out later in the month that Lennon would release this album I am sure it took away buyers from The White Album. Just kidding. I do not know anyone who ones this. Not one of John’s brightest moments releasing this garbage. This experimental album was made at Lennon’s home studio in Kenworth on May 19, 1968 while his wife Cynthia was on vacation in Greece.
It took John six weeks to convince the other Beatles to approve the release. The most controversial part of the whole project was the cover- John and Yoko standing nude in front of the camera. The album cover provoked outrage among distributors who wrapped it in brown paper. The album actually sold 25,000 copies in the US and made it to #124 on the album chart.
slicethelife 
What a slap in the face to his wife and to The Beatles. I could see where that would have generated some friction in both areas. Can you say passive aggressive?
Thank you for not showing the cover!
Have you ever listened to it? This is one that I haven’t listened to.
I wouldn’t want anyone to see the cover that didn’t want to see it. I have never listened to it. I am sure it is on youtube I don’t think we are missing anything with that or the other two albums they made around this period.
I just imagine a much worse and longer revolution 9…
I wonder if he ever later on thought- what the hell was wrong with me?
You know I think he would have… he admitted mistakes before like Klein
“I do not know anyone who ones this.” – Hanspostcard
I’ve just looked on a rating site. 1.80 stars/5, so I guess quite a few people gave it 1 out of 5.
However I found a good review:
kevinsweg on RYM
“Side One is absolutely spectacular the birds chirping plus Ono’s shrieks coming in through a genuinely engaging build up always prevented from become too ethereal by warm piano chords. Engaging throughout. 9.5/10
Side Two sounds frustratingly far less inspired for the first six minutes with Yoko seeming completely misplaced being simultaneously boring and irritating. But then, by some miracle of composition and Lennon coming in vocally, Yoko snaps into place and for the second half of Side Two sounds even more stunning for a short time than Side One. 7.5/10
Overall: 8.5/10”
So it is Horses for Courses.
She’s still going, challenging things in her mid ’80s. Good on her!
I hope the ‘ones’ is not changed to ‘owns’ – otherwise I’ll look a complete twollop.
Chris
I’ve never heard it this album, however, as a very young teen I purchased the 45 single “Cold Turkey” from the Plastic Ono Band. I really didn’t like the song that much, but desperately wanted to feel more ‘cool.’ The B-side was “Don’t Worry Kyoko (Mummy’s Only Looking For a Hand in the Snow”) – which to this day remains one of the worst songs I’ve ever heard in my long life.
Eclecticmusiclover said it… About the worst music you could hope to hear (read: be assaulted by)
To be collected… NOT listened to. And you’re right, the rest of the Beatles were like ‘oh no, our album sales!’ haha
We all have our off days, Lennon included, that’s the way things are in life, is anybody here perfect?
This is true.
I always laugh at Ringo’s comments about it on the Anthology, something to the effect of “‘Oh, I see you read the Times’…never mind that his **** was out.”