LENNON
"5:30
Saturday Morning" (Arista)
Reviewed by R. Scott Bolton
In several other reviews and features I've read regarding Arista's new artist, Lennon Murphy, the reviewer or journalist has described Lennon as "the anti-Britney" or "an antidote to Britney." Although the comparison to the bouncy Britney Spears and the darker, far-more-serious Lennon is bound to be made, it also does this 19-year old singer/songwriter a vast injustice.
There's far more to Lennon Murphy than a mirror-universe Britney Spears. While her lyrics approach the honest brilliance of a Alanis Morrissette, the music sways between iron-heavy rockers with the power of Black Sabbath or White Zombie behind them to haunting tunes that fill the mind like the calls of an unseen siren. And Lennon's vocals are as blessed as Pat Benetar's - she can sing the raw rockers as well as the angelic melodies perfectly.
"5:30 Saturday Morning" starts out powerfully enough with a tune whose title along will hit you solidly in the gut: "Property of Goatfucker." Track 2, "Trying to Make Me," is one of those haunting numbers that starts out with an eerie verse and then explodes into a razor-sharp chorus. "Brake of Your Car" sounds like a cross between a horror movie soundtrack (think John Carpenter) and a rock solid radio hit. And so it goes, with nary a weak cut to be found anywhere on the 12 track CD. And the CD ends with the beautiful (yeah, that's right, I said, beautiful) and soulful title track, comprised only of Lennon vocals and a piano.
Lennon is at the point in her career that previous rock divas were just before they made their big splash. My bet is that Lennon will follow their lead - and perhaps even surpass them. "5:30 Saturday Morning" is a hell of an original recording, and the debut of an artist whose talent is nothing short of stunning.
For more information, please visit http://www.lennononline.com or http://www.arista.com.
Rating Guide:
A classic. This record will kick your ass.
Killer. Not a classic but it will rock your world.
So-so. You've heard better.
Pretty bad. Might make a nice coaster.
Self explanatory. Just the sight of the
cover makes you wanna hurl.
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Revised: 05 Sep 2021 13:34:13 -0400.
