Jul 02 2008
Sean Lennon - Friendly Fire
- Artist: Sean Lennon
- Album: Friendly Fire
- Label: Capitol
- Release: 2006
- Links: Official Site, MySpace
It would be hard to be unfamiliar with Sean Lennon’s family history, so I don’t need to go there. Friendly Fire is Sean’s second album and first since 1998’s Into The Sun. For a debut, it was inconsistent, but still enjoyable. While that album touched on several genres, Friendly Fire is a focused engagement that aims to launch Lennon as a serious songwriter. Lennon has been criticized for unoriginality, and while that is arguable at times, he makes up for it by offering up an intensely personal album filled with numerous delights.
Aside from comparisons to his father John, Friendly Fire has also been mentioned in the same breath as Jon Brion and Elliott Smith’s Dreamworks material. The album contains beautiful arrangements that any of those icons would surely approve of. Brion’s influence is no surprise since he plays on three tracks. He plays organ on the album’s centerpiece, “Spectacle,” a song that I have become addicted to. Lennon’s voice is spectacular in a familiar, calming way. He has said that the album is about a failed relationship and that is quite obvious on “Spectacle.” The weeping guitars in the chorus seal the deal for me.
The last two tracks on Friendly Fire are what secure its place as a winner. “Would I Be The One” is an enchanting Marc Bolan (T-Rex) cover that kicks into high gear towards the end. Haunting is a fitting word to describe closing track “Falling Out Of Love.” During its chorus, a hypnotic synth part swirls against a cathartic guitar solo. I find myself liking this record more with every listen. Even the less serious songs (”Tomorrow,” “On Again, Off Again”) are solid. Records like Friendly Fire only came around every couple years and are to be treasured. Sean is carrying the torch proudly and on Friendly Fire it is absolutely blazing. I wish I had heard this one sooner.
(2/20/07)