Search - Lennon :: Saturday Morning

Inspired, and unparalleled debut.

Adam Stewart | Columbus, OH United States | 10/09/2003

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Lennon Murphy is an extremely talented and personable entertainer. She pens her own lyrics, composes her melodies and sings with a passion that is frequently lost in over-produced, major record label releases. Nothing is lost in this recording. Lennon's words, the instrumentation and her ability to balance hard rock/borderline nu-breed metal-tinged hooks with piano balladry shine throughout this impressive debut. The packaging includes everything you could possibly hope for. There are some beautiful pictures that reflect several different moods and scenes, full (and legible!) lyrics, standard album production and performance credits and a very personal Thank You section. 1. Property of Goatf***er: This cut immediately kicks. You can bang your head to this opening riff with ease, as well as sit back and listen to the very personal and introspective lyric contained within. My only (minor)complaint is with the backing male vocal. It just seems unnecessary and slightly detracts from an otherwise perfect opener.
2. Trying To Make Me: This track starts with a hypnotic beat and somewhat filtered vocals, but then picks up with a strong vocal by Lennon and a dark, brooding guitar riff that is very catchy (but not in a commercial, generic way). The contrast between the vocal parts and musical progression make for a very excellent follow-up to "Property."
3. Brake of Your Car: The single! This song should've been huge! It has a great hook, universal lyrics, and showcases another strong vocal performance. This one really translates live as well.
4. My Beautiful: Our first glimpse at the softer side of Lennon, so to speak. Vulnerable. Real. It's a great look at how a relationship can cause you to search for answers to the questions one's mind conjures up when faced with rejection and/or replacement. And though one can accept the reality of where the relationship is, moving on is seldom easy. Truly moving.
5. Those Days: "Let me move on with my life." Fast-paced, hard-rocking and almost over in 3 minutes. This is a continuance of the message from its' preceding track. In brief, it's about wanting the other participant in a relationship to let go enough to allow you to continue on your life's path. Letting go...
6. Asking You: I don't think any description I could lend would do this song justice. It is breath-taking and heart-breaking... It's about evolving into your adult self and developing your personality and just figuring out who you are exactly. And how sometimes that "new person" doesn't fit what someone else's expectation or idea of what/who you should be is. My third favorite song on "5:30..."
7. Morning: This song is definitely a release for a lot of emotions. It's very well crafted and creates one of the most instantly memorable moments on the cd. It's no wonder it's one of Lennon's favorites. She also performs it live with unparalleled intensity onstage.
8. I Hear: Calm, beautiful vocal delivery... The lyrics leave the topic of relationships, and delve into broader life/after-life/questioning subject matter.
9. Thank You: Personal lyric that deals with a personal loss Lennon experienced prior to the release of her debut. The booklet includes a photo of a vulnerable looking Lennon next to the words to this song. The accompaniment makes for a very moving moment when listening to this track.
10. Couldn't Breathe: My second favorite selection from this album. There is a heavy reliance on guitar throughout the verses, and the chorus has an interesting progression in intensity. The first rendering is a solo piano and vocal, which builds into full blown instrumentation by the final chorus repetition. Amazing!
11. These Days: This song is rich with textured guitar melodies and features a very well developed storyline of a woman in an abusive relationship who is on the brink of self-destruction; a lyrical highlight.
12. 5:30 Saturday Morning: I experienced a relationship situation similar to the one described in this song. It is a very deep and touching piano ballad. Sometimes I just hit Repeat on this perfect album closer and drift off into my own world; a world where I'm accompanied by my memories of times passed and Lennon's penetrating and soothing voice. This song is worth the "price of admission" alone. In summary, pick yourself up a copy of this disc. You will not regret it. There are nu-metal styled guitar riffs, soft piano moments, and that voice. There is Lennon; a beacon of sorts, in an otherwise dark and stormy sea of corporate, unoriginal, one-hit-wonder producing clones. She's the one that broke the mould."

Shiny Saturday Morning

Erik Planer | Portland, OR | 09/14/2001

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Many will compare Lennon to other female artists such as Alanis and Tori, but the only thing they have in common is their gender. Those ladies don't rock like this one. On songs like "Brake of Your Car" and "Trying to Make Me" sturdy guitar lines become rumbling choruses as Lennon vents about
relationships gone bad. Her lyrics describe experience well beyond her young age of 19. The poetry is innocent yet sexual, describing loss, disappointment and hope. These are beautiful contradictions! In "Asking You" Lennon declares "I'll turn them this way/ And I'll turn them the other way" while the piano compliments her every word. She then asks......."Is this how you want me?" Yes Lennon, we want you! Saturday morning has never looked so bright!"

What a discovery....!

Chris Ochman | Stafford, VA | 02/22/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"So, I forgot exactly how I found this girl, but it was through Amazon I think. One of those, oh this is cool, try this.



I special ordered the CD and forgot about it, then I noticed, we had it in stock, so I went and searched for it. Found it. Bought it. Was wowed.



This girl can sing. Even though her voice isn't edgy enough to be singing the really hard stuff on this album. It's a bit awkward, but the music and everything is great. Her voice is amazing.



My favorite track? "Couldn't Breath" has a wondeful mix of hard elements as well as light, beautiful piano in it, as well as edgy guitars.



I'm eagerly awaiting her new CD, and can't wait to get my hands on that.



She sounds like Joydrop. So...if you like Joydrop, she's your next best thing, since Joydrop is no longer around, which makes me immensely sad.



Otherwise, the music goes through different types of metal, like it says at the top. Really edgy stuff, pop type stuff, and piano solos.



Just like her next sort of album, "Career Suicide" where it's completely all done in piano.



I'm waiting for her next album now...I want it...NOW...



*grins*"