Living in the Material World

The 1973 follow-up to the superb All Things Must Pass, Living in the Material World further probes the spiritual questions that former Beatle George Harrison spent his life trying to better understand. It leads to material that on a lyrical level can feel very serious and weighty (“The Light That Has Lighted the World”, “The Lord Loves the One (That Loves the Lord)”) with vocals that share that heavy tone. However, finally freed from his secondary status in the world’s greatest rock 'n' roll band, Harrison indulges his own tasteful playing and memorable guitar lines and tones and breaks past the philosophical dirges with the expertise and pleasure of a consummate professional. “Give Me Love (Give Me Peace on Earth)” is a '60s holdover, while “Don’t Let Me Wait Too Long” and “Sue Me, Sue You Blues” shuffle past with clear knowledge of how to find a steady groove. Ringo Starr joins on drums, and the tight-knit sound adds real presence to “The Day the World Gets Round” and the title track.