Sean Lennon

w/ Kamila Thompson & Women And Children

Wednesday, April 4 @ Melting Point

originally published March 28, 2007

It’s not easy being the son of the greatest rock star to ever grace the planet - or so we hear. Sean Lennon has been ducking his father’s shadow for pretty much his entire life, but he’s only recently stepped into his own songwriting skin. Lennon’s latest release, Friendly Fire, shows a more comfortable songwriter - unfocused on the precedent left by his father. While opinions on the record were mixed, Lennon has dealt with the massive press buzz exceptionally well, giving mostly reasonable responses to constant scrutiny and comparison. Most of the questions focus on his family, but, as would be expected, Sean Lennon usually wishes, and tries, to discuss his own music.

Friendly Fire, Lennon’s second full-length studio effort, reflects pretty good pop songwriting executed pretty well. There’s nothing all that bad about the record - but it leaves a fair-weather taste. The album reveals itself as more impressive when considering that Lennon self-produced it, and created the album artwork himself.

Friendly Firecomes eight years after Lennon’s debut release Into the Sun. There are many subtle differences between the two records. Yuka Honda, Lennon’s then-girlfriend and Cibo Matto member, produced Into the Sun- which Lennon claimed to be mostly about her. Friendly Fireshows Lennon setting out on his own, and while the record may not have completely held up to critics’expectations, it’s a step forward and reflects his true songwriting potential. Tracks like “Dead Meat” and “Headlights” reveal a young songwriter still looking for a proper voice, but well learned in song structures and phrasing. Again, it’s not easy being the son of the greatest rock star ever - but that could be the thread that pushes Lennon to the top. He’s got the talent. He’s got the know-how. Now, he just needs to make the record that lets him come fully into his own.

Ian Wheeler