Posthumous releases always seem to have the ghost of their author aboout them, with the inevitable questions: What if he or she had lived? Then what?Fortunately, George Harrison remained a creative, energetic spirit till the end (see "Horse to the Water" on the Jools Holland cd from last year) despite the challenges of recovering from a horrific attack at his Friar Park home and later facing the ravages of cancer. This album has wry and heartbreaking allusions to his bittersweet acceptance of his mortality. It's an incredibly moving, daring album about love, faith, and humor that not only will appeal to long-time fans but also to those new to Harrison.With assistance primarily from his son, Dhani, and friends such as Jeff Lynne and Jim Keltner, George delivers 12 songs, one of which is a spirited banjo-driven cover of "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea." The album bears repeat listening, and there are many notable moments when one can hear George expressing his fun in simply rocking out on the songs, which makes one think of the simple love he had making music in previous performances such as "Apple Scruffs", "Crackerbox Palace", and the Carl Perkins and Friends session from 1985. It appears the finality of working with his son inspired George to go for broke--it's a shame they had only worked together recently. Some of the standout songs include the rocking "Any Road", the surreal Dylanesque "P.2. Vatican Blues", the candid "Looking for My Life" (which would make a great single), and the scathing title track which attacks the hypocrisies of the material world with vigor. Harrison's guitar work is magnificent (check out the heartbreaking slide instrumental "Marwar Blues") and his vocals and harmonies soulful ("Rising Sun" and "Pisces Fish"). "Stuck Inside this Cloud" (perhaps an allusion to the rigors of chemotherapy and radiation treatments he endured) is one of the most distinctive, unusual pop songs to be released as a single in the new century. As a longtime Harrison fan, I'd rank this among his very best works, solo and with The Beatles. Sonically, it comes across as mixture of ALL THINGS MUST PASS and THE TRAVELING WILBURYS, and co-producer Jeff Lynne opts for an understated mix this time around. In terms of melody and lyrics, there's plenty to enjoy, too-- real turns of phrase and shifts in tone that show a deep appreciation of blues and jazz. Thank you, George, for your music, humor, and ongoing quest for the truth in the sound and the fury of life.

Although it doesn't have the scope or depth of Harrison's solo debut (All Things Must Pass although technically speaking Wonderwall was his first solo album), Brainwashed is one of the best solo albums Harrison made. The sad part is that he'll never be able to follow up on this terrific album. None of this is being said after looking through rose tinted glasses; the songs on Brainwashed are among his most accomplished and lyrically adept since ATMP, Living in the Material World and Cloud Nine).

Although finished by Jeff Lynne in collaboration with Dhani Harrison (they both added additional touches such as rhythm guitar overdubs, strings whether appropriate and backing vocals on some of the uncompleted tracks), Harrison's distinctive slide guitar playing and singing are never buried or obscured. Lynne and Dhani Harrison have lovingly applied their musical craft to finish this terrific album in a style that Harrison would have approved of (although Lynne does mention in the DVD included that Harrison might have thought the production touches a little too much and apologies by saying, "sorry George but they were such beautiful songs". They still are and, I don't doubt, that Harrison would have approved).

It's as he never quit recording. Brainwashed sounds like the logical successor to Cloud Nine and the Wilbury albums. Harrison, Lynne and Dhani Harrison build an accomplished and tuneful musical ladder that allows George to climb to the top. When he gets up there he lets his playing speak for itself. Brainwashed features some of George's most affecting and powerful playing.

The opening track Any Road, Vatican Blues and Stuck Inside a Cloud (a personal fav of Dhani's, it's track number 7 as 7 was George's favorite number)are all outstanding. Harrison's collaboration with Jools Holland and his band on the standard Devil and the Deep Blue Sea isn't camped up. Harrison plays "uke" (as he and Dhani call it). Holland and his band give a nice swing texture to the track.

The magnum opus, though, is the title track. Brainwashed manages to roll all of Harrison's favorite topics into one. The use of sitar and other Indian musical textures both look back to Pepper and acknowledge that Harrison's affection for Ravi Shankar and Indian music was never a fad for George. It's a powerful 6 minute piece and still manages to end the album on a positive note.

George's tasteful slide playing is all over the album and reminds me what an accomplished and talented player he was. He may never of had the chops of Hendrix but then he didn't need them. His lyrical and melodic playing always was a highlight of his solo work.

The DVD in the deluxe backage is a short documentary on the making of the album. It includes glimpses of the recording of the album both when Harrison was recording and Lynne & Dhani were finishing it. There's a number of brief interviews of George situationed throughout the video. We also get to see a music video that George recorded with Jools Holland and his band for the song Devil and the Deep Blue Sea. Additionally, there's clips for Any Road and Stuck Inside a Cloud that uses footage of George on his estate.

The big question will be is the DVD and extras worth it? Certainly if you're a big Beatles or Harrison fan. I wish the DVD could have been longer and included any number of the videos being created for the album. The sticker, poster and guitar pick are nice additions.

Given a few more listens, I might change that 4 1/2 star review to a five!

I was born the year John Lennon was murdered, so I can't imagine how people felt when that happened. But the Beatles' music is truly immortal, and it's certainly hard to believe that eventually one of them will pass on. When George Harrison died a year and a half ago from cancer, I truly felt like a close friend had passed away; not just because he was my favorite Beatle, but that like John, George was about to get back to making music again after a long hiatus. Too bad the fates weren't really on their side. But George certainly had plans to keep amazing us with music, as BRAINWASHED proves.

A considerable amount of people have complained that George would have hated how his final album turned out, but one should be reminded that George's son Dhani was given specific instructions by his father on how the album should sound. By all accounts, he followed through, and this is probably how George would have approved had he lived. Granted, it's not a perfect piece of work, but on the best moments of BRAINWASHED, George came close to outdoing his fellow former Beatle Paul McCartney by still creating strong music as they reach the big 6-0.

"Any Road" has been given the most favorable reviews, and for good reason because it is truly one of George's finest songs, especially from someone who's always had to take third place behind Lennon & McCartney (often unfairly). The song had been written years before & I believe was played by George on VH-1 when he was promoting the new Ravi Shankar album he had produced. George had not released any new music in years, and I'm sure had people wondering when, or if, a new album from him was coming along. "Any Road" was a good way to preface what became BRAINWASHED, and it's the kind of encouraging, upbeat number that always made George my favorite Beatle: even with the harsh, cruel world, he kept a forward-thinking attitude.

"Pisces Fish", "Looking For My Life", "Rising Sun" & "Rocking Chair In Hawaii" are other serene pieces of uptempo country rock-tinged pop that truly make you feel good, even if George perhaps knew his time on Earth was limited. Jeff Lynne's polished, high-gloss approach to production has often been criticized (most prominently on his work with Tom Petty), but he seems to find a good balance on these songs, making them seem like a logical extension of 1987's CLOUD NINE (George's previous studio album, also produced by Lynne).

Like his classic 1973 album LIVING IN THE MATERIAL WORLD, George had an equal amount of cynicism along with the good vibes, and BRAINWASHED is no different. Maybe it's old age talking, but George does indeed have some bones to pick on songs like "P2 Vatican Blues [Last Saturday Night]" and the title track. The first song is a little bit of an afterthought & kind of shocking coming from someone as deeply religious as George, but the latter is the sore thumb of the album, being a little too mean-spirited to truly appreciate. It's great to see someone else who believes the media controls how we live, but at least be a little more objective.

Other songs have a feeling of George perhaps accepting his impending death, but not to the point where you need to dissect them to find hidden meanings. "Stuck Inside A Cloud", "Run So Far" (originally recorded by Eric Clapton), "Never Get Over You" & an old standard "Between The Devil & The Deep Blue Sea" are George's way of saying "I'm ready to leave this world for a better place". The best thing a listener could possibly say is "Godspeed, George". Even the instrumental "Marwa Blues" is just heavenly, and hopefully George will be making this kind of music up there.

It took me a while to listen to this album for two reasons. One was that I'm a compulsive buyer & have literally a hundred or so CDs to listen to yet; the other is that I was afraid of getting emotional upon hearing what truly is the last music George Harrison will ever give us. While your heart will no doubt get heavy listening to BRAINWASHED, it's comforting to know that George was maybe planning to return to music full-time and could have given us his best had he not passed. The music will not leave you brainwashed; in fact it the only thing to be washed & cleansed by it will be your soul.

Rest in peace, George. Say hello to John for us.

Yes, the album is great. Only regret that there's not more of it, but maybe there will be more of George's late career work released in time. (And maybe "All For Love" too, someday.) But the deluxe edition packaging needs some praising.

This is a primo box package. Beautiful Dark Horse logo in glossy black on flat black with title and signature in George's own writing. Have any critics commented on his "By George Harrison" byline? The inside of the box is "wallpapered" with Oms.

The poster isn't really a poster so much as a fine photo of George (Hawaii? 2000?)as opposed to CD booklet sized image. The Dark Horse sticker is a little something extra, nothing more. So many "critics" are complaining about the DVD. Why? Yes, it is short but it is incredibly well crafted, with great interviews. I wish the whole lip syched "Between the Devil and the Deep Blue Sea" were included, since it obviously exists.

BUT the best part of the whole deluxe box is the "autographed" guitar pick. Even if you are not a guitarist, you have to appreciate the collector's value of this little, last Fab memento. As if saying, "Here's a pick for you to keep while I'm gone to remember me by." And for nonbelievers, it will be worth far more than your old Beatles cards and lunchbox in time because it is a limited edition.

But what's with the album cover anyway? Is it really just saying that we are all mannequin/dummies with our televisons turned on? I prefer the box set cover.

I have been a Beatles (and mostly George Harrison) fan since they appeared on Ed Sullivan all those years ago. This cd made me see George and his music with fresh eyes.

I received "Brainwashed" as a gift and was not in a hurry to listen to it, to be honest. I was afraid it would be a "downer." How wrong I was! Yes, there are some heart-wrenchingly touching moments on this cd, however, the overall tone is wondrously hopeful for a man who knew his days on Earth were numbered. Perhaps it was because of his spiritual beliefs, or maybe it was due to the fact that his own son Dhani (who obviously loved his father dearly) and his buddy Jeff Lynne (who appreciated his friend's talent)treated the production with such care and respect for George's wishes. Whatever the reason, it seemed the more I listened to this album, the more I wanted to hear it yet again. It's all here: love, spirituality, lust, mortality, happiness and sadness, fun. I guess you could say it's like the life of a man who was, according to a line from "Pisces Fish:" "proof of all life's contradictions," a man who was definitely much more than "The Quiet One."