Friendly Fire
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Friendly Fire Image
Metascore
68

Generally favorable reviews - based on 22 Critic Reviews What's this?

User Score
8.4

Universal acclaim- based on 36 Ratings

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  • Summary: The singer's first album in eight years includes instrumental help from Jon Brion and Matt Chamberlain, as well as guitarist Harper (son of Paul) Simon.

Top Track

Parachute
Love is like an airplane We jumped in then we pray The lucky ones remain In the clouds for days Life is just a stage Let's put on the best show And... See the rest of the song lyrics
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Critic Reviews

Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 14 out of 22
  2. Mixed: 8 out of 22
  3. Negative: 0 out of 22
  1. Filter
    92
    A patient, assured album where nearly every sound feels appropriate. [#22, p.93]
    All this publication's reviews
  2. Billboard
    90
    Musically and lyrically the album is thoughtful and mature.
  3. Urb
    80
    Instead of avoiding the comparisons, Sean Lennon succeeds by reveling in the kind of pop that runs through his family's genes. [Oct 2006, p.124]
    All this publication's reviews
  4. Drowned In Sound
    70
    Friendly Fire is better than anyone could have predicted.
  5. Los Angeles Times
    63
    At first it seems fairly plain, built around Lennon's thin voice (friendly, if lacking fire)....Yet there's more to the album, most explicitly in the spiked words -- troubled, uncertain, seeking security in an impermanent world. [24 Sep 2006]
    All this publication's reviews
  6. Spin
    60
    Though not blessed with the strength of his father's voice, he makes the most of Dad's knack for pretty melody. [Nov 2006, p.102]
    All this publication's reviews
  7. Q Magazine
    40
    He's not so much turning into his father... as his wimpy half-brother Julian. [Nov 2006, p.143]
    All this publication's reviews

See all 22 Critic Reviews

User Reviews

Write a Review
Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 16 out of 20
  2. Mixed: 3 out of 20
  3. Negative: 1 out of 20
  1. TheCaptain
    Feb 18, 2011
    10
    Wonderfully different =) He reminds me of John so much but this album is so modern without being stereotypically modern. I also like how IWonderfully different =) He reminds me of John so much but this album is so modern without being stereotypically modern. I also like how I can't describe his style to my friends… Expand
  2. KevinA
    Oct 17, 2006
    10
    Excellent. Forget about his lineage and just listen. The man is gifted. I have not stopped playing it, but I did have to take out the Excellent. Forget about his lineage and just listen. The man is gifted. I have not stopped playing it, but I did have to take out the Lennon/Beatles plug out my ears and judge the music-and video, on merit alone. Wonderful.… Expand
  4. EllieM
    Nov 19, 2006
    10
    I just can't stop playing this album - am surprised how much I like it and it just keeps growing on me. Don't understand why his I just can't stop playing this album - am surprised how much I like it and it just keeps growing on me. Don't understand why his father even has to be mentioned - this album should be judged purely on its own merit… Expand
  5. AlbertoP
    Nov 25, 2006
    8
    Very nice album. I'm not a fan of John Lennon, I discovered this guy watching "Dead Meat" video on TV.
  6. mshup
    Sep 8, 2011
    8
    This is a decent album that reminds me of a Wes Anderson film that has not yet been made. The comparisons between Sean Lennon and his fatherThis is a decent album that reminds me of a Wes Anderson film that has not yet been made. The comparisons between Sean Lennon and his father are unavoidable; I mean, they're related. I don't understand the criticism that Sean is "trying to hard to be his dad." The lyrics on "Friendly Fire" , "Dead Meat" and "Diamonds" stand out for having well-crafted lines and imagery. The supplemental DVD that comes with most editions of the album transforms the songs into a cohesive artistic expression. Overall, this is more of an "experience" than an album.… Expand
  7. Rev.Rikard
    Dec 8, 2006
    7
    This album makes Sean sound old before his time. The songs resound with more similarity and familiarity with each play. His father's This album makes Sean sound old before his time. The songs resound with more similarity and familiarity with each play. His father's ability to write beautiful melody and introspective lyrics is definitely present in his son. The melodies are definitely pleasing to the ear and reveal great potential. However, John's melodies and lyrics of this ilk were meaningful as we followed his progression as a musician and man. This album feels like an attempt to pick up where Dad left. I would love to hear Sean as an energetic rocker with some social commentary first. Then, I could enjoy this album more. Instead, I would rather just hear "Woman", "Beautiful Boy," and "Jealous Guy" from John.… Expand
  8. BillR
    Nov 3, 2006
    0
    Garbage his music is so boring. You guys are only being nice to him because he is John's son. Too bad he inherit any talent from his father

See all 20 User Reviews

Awards & Rankings

70
#70 Most Shared Album of 2006

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