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Photograph Smile

Julian Lennon - Photograph Smile Audio CD

A fair review of the Julian Lennon "Photograph Smile" Audio CD. Please note that the below review is the views of the authors, and authors only. You can get a complete list of all Julian Lennon reviews here, or go back to the Julian Lennon tabs.

Band: Julian Lennon
Title: Photograph Smile
Rating:

Release Date: 1999-02-23
Media: Audio CD

Tracks: 1: Day After Day 2: Cold 3: I Should Have Known 4: How Many Times 5: I Don't Wanna Know 6: Crucified 7: Walls 8: Believe 9: Good To Be Lonely 10: Kiss Beyond The Catcher 11: And She Cries 12: Photograph Smile 13: Faithful 14: Way To Your Heart

Simply GORGEOUS
The sanguine and promising "Day After Day" opens the album, followed by the vulnerable "Cold," which exudes the same dreamy, ecstatic quality as his father's "Number Nine Dream. This is a gorgeous musical experience from start to finish, with songs as powerful as they are beautiful. " Again, "I Should Have Known" contains piano tinklings eerily similar to some of his father's "Imagine" albums songs. Meanwhile, the sitar on "Crucified" harks back to the Beatles. "Walls" is melancholy, yet grand in its introspection. Probably the most exquisite song on the album, the steady-beating, driving and hopeful "Believe" is another that sounds like it could have been pulled from a John Lennon album. I love its delicious and elegant counterpoint. "Kiss Beyond the Catcher" is the one song that breaks from style with the others in its jazziness. Two tear-jerking songs follow, though stylistically different: "And She Cries" and its Harrison-like crying guitar really struck a chord with me, while the title track showcases Julian's soft and tender voice accompanied by Nick Drake-like string instrumentation. Finally, the closing song resembles a song from Sgt. Pepper or Magical Mystery Tour, alternately swelling beautifully and tick-tocking smoothly on an audible cigarette high.

Julian has been criticized for sounding too much like his father -- but is this a bad thing?! At times the similarity is uncanny and mesmerizing. But Julian Lennon is his own musical and melodic genius. If he has any weakness at all it might be the overall conventionality of his lyrics. Otherwise he's a brilliant and gifted composer and musician. And his voice is best at full power, though his softer tracks are touching too. Songs on this album run on the long side, almost all being 4 minutes or longer.

This is a beautifully produced album with a romantic feel to it. Absolutely enchanting. If I could give the album 6 (or 10) stars, I would!.

Great!
Thanks for a great product!. This is such a great cd and what a steal! Including shipping, it cost me about $3.

Photograph Smile
There are many reminiscent guitar riffs and what seem to be lyrics the Beatles might have written, only better, and several with more pathos. Photograph Smile was the long-awaited solo album from Julian Lennon, and in this endeavor, he exhibits much of his acquired influence from the Beatles. OK, let's just get it out-- yeah, he sounds like John, he can't help it. Are we on the Julian page now? Some were obviously written about his relationship with Lucy Bayliss. Quite a different set of tunes from "Valotte", but still with the signature sound for which he has become known. It is a very introspective album and nothing that will "rock you out" like much of the Valotte material --- it lacks the same velocity, but listen to the lyrics. Some good changes. This was created during a time in his life when things were totally different from the "Valotte" times. It is overall quite an accomplishment and a very good album. All the tracks are very good. Unlike some artists whose albums pomp one or two tracks, these are all good. I may not say much about some tracks, but they're all worth a listen. Some take several listens to really get into. Despite a few jaunty tunes, it's basically a "getting over you" heartbreaker collection. (Not that that's a bad thing. )
1. Day After Day -- Apparently a soldier's letter to his love back home, a segment of which made a brief appearance in the film "Music From Another Room". This tune was very popular in the U. K. during its initial release (although not in the U. S. , due to poor promotion), catchy and very good. ("Music From Another Room" thereafter became the name for Julian's label. )
2. Cold -- I really love this song, but didn't at first, mostly because of the heaviness of it, but still with good lyrics and a point. At first, I found it too heavy, but after repeated listenings, it has become a beautifully haunting favorite. Some good acoustic guitar. Sometimes airy and nebulous, with echo effects. "I can feel you everywhere tonight, don't leave me cold. "
3. I Should Have Known -- Because you broke my heart. Pleasant, but graphically sad.
4. How Many Times -- A very eco-friendly tune, about humanity devastating the planet; pleading for sensibility. Has a good beat, and after a few turns, you'll probably be singing along.
5. I Don't Wanna Know -- Sounds like his dad, with all the appropriate accompaniment. Could've been a "lost" Beatles tune. Got some rock to it.
6. Crucified -- "On the cross of inuendo. . . " Slightly dark with some Eastern influence. "We're all freaks in this sideshow. "
7. Walls -- Soft and ponderous. May take some getting used to; some great, gentle piano strokes which build beautifully.
8. Believe -- Typical lyrics, but a good tune and beautifully done, considering the average subject matter. "We tear ourselves apart and leave a broken heart. " It could really touch a crier.
9. Good To Be Lonely -- Not terribly inspired, sounds like filler, but listenable. Has good backup.
10. Kiss Beyond The Catcher -- I couldn't really get too close to this one until after many listenings; it's a matter of taste, but not too bad (pseudo-jazzy).
11. And She Cries -- In many ways, a beautiful update of "She Loves You", but with more feeling and better lyrics, better guitar (sounds like George). Doesn't rock as much as "She Loves You", but has a story line, and resolves beautifully ("Nowhere Man" reference). Gorgeous song -- it'll tug at ya.
12. Photograph Smile -- Wispy parting song. Sad. Pretty. Good violin accompaniment.
13. Faithful -- A very good song (I have a problem with the lyrics -- "undoubtably" should be "undoubtedly"), nice tune, "That's all I've ever wanted from you . . . " Some female backup, and a few good background crescendos.
14. Way To Your Heart -- Feels a bit heavy until you get into it -- "I want to see you untangled, I want to see you from every angle. . . " Very nice love song. Good lyrics. A brief orchestral interlude is reminiscent of "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" (no doubt an intententional reference to Lucy B. -- apparently a real heartbreaker). It is soulful and pleading without being mushy.

Compared to "Valotte", at least half of these tunes take some patience in that they don't "grab" you right off, but after repeated listenings, they will. I have to say that at first I was disappointed, but now I can see the changes he's made and his music reflects his personal travail. No doubt the better portion of this work is heavily influenced by his ended relationship with Lucy. Keep that in mind and remember that recording artists ARE artists; their work reflects their current feelings. The works of great artists are the release of intense emotion, and whatever is important in their lives at the moment of creation. Accept it or don't. No regrets about buying this Julian Lennon CD. Great work!!! I look forward to his next phase.

Cheesy
Julian has an amazing voice and the quality of the instrumentals is great, but the quality of songwriting on this album leaves much to be desired. This is not a very good album.

If you're looking for muzak, this album is the way to go, but do not expect any sort of contemplative, reflective, or simply interesting lyrics from this effort.

Fabulous!
It is so beautiful and from the heart. I abosolutely loved this album. There's no doubt he's got talent and has truly grown as an artist and a person. Would highly recommend this to anyone. You don't know what you're missing out on until you listen to this album.

You can see a complete list of all Julian Lennon discography, or go back to the Julian Lennon tabs. There is also a good guide on how to read guitar tabs here.