Sean Lennon - Friendly Fire

  by Anthony Strutt

published: 3 / 10 / 2006

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Review

'Friendly Fire' is only Sean Lennon's second ever album and follows on from 'Into the Sun' which was released back in 1998. Sean has played with his mum Yoko Ono in the past, and has also worked with Money Mark and Sonic Youth's Thurston Moore, but this sounds like a very good solo Beatle tribute album, and not necessarily one dedicated to John either, but George Harrison. The first two tracks sound something like the Beatles tribute band the Rutles. 'Dead Meat', the first single, and 'Wait for Me' are both very laid back. 'Parachute' is also easy listening heaven, very radio friendly, with its middle 8 sounding very 70s' in a cheesy cabaret way. 'Friendly Fire', the title track, has solid guitar playing, while Sean's vocal floats easily over the top. 'Spectacle' is well orchestrated, very Brian Wilson-sounding with a pleasant rhythm, while 'Tomorrow', at just over 2 minutes long, is very mellow, easy-on-the-ear and not aimed to hurt anyone. 'On Again, Off Again' has brilliant guitar playing and, with its jazzy beat and free style,is once again mellow in sound. 'Headlights' is a bit more groovy and with its handclapping beats sounds like the Beatles in 1965. 'Would I Be the One ?' sounds like mid 70's middle-of-the-road pop. 'Falling Out of Love' ends the CD, the full version of which comes accompanied with of DVD of mini movies which assists every track and includes among other Asia Argento and Carrie Fisher. This is a good album for the Heart FM generation, but John would never have released anything this laid back or unconfrontional as this. While very well played, it is disappointing that a CD as bland as this has come from the son of the most political front person of his generation

Track Listing:-

1 Dead Meat
2 Wait For Me
3 Parachute
4 Friendly Fire
5 Spectacle
6 Tomorrow
7 On Again, Off Again
8 Headlights
9 Would I Be The One
10 Falling Out Of Love
11 Friendly Fire (A Film By Sean Lennon)