Something Different from a Lennon

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead (Chimera Music)

Sean Lennon

By Hunter Embry

Sean Lennon, son of John Lennon and Yoko Ono made his solo debut in 1998 with Into the Sun, a musically diverse collection of calm-rooted songs that drew small comparisons to his parents' work or his older brother, Julian Lennon's solo releases. Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead, Lennon's fourth release, is a score to a low-budget horror flick. Lennon recorded the entire album on his personal home computer.

Again, Lennon's recordings bear no sort of pop resemblance. The first track and title theme is a constant flow of scrambling piano, plucking strings and obtrusive electric guitar chords kept secure with a polka-styled drum beat. The song is followed by "Olsinore," which leans toward a more dramatic vibe equipped with timpani slams, chilling horns and is stamped by a wobbly, electronic breakdown.

The album continues to lunge through different sounds and feels, but manages to keep a consistently ominous theme until the last track, "Desire," which is a synth-heavy hip/hop track, rapper and all. Strangely enough, the song is pretty solid, but it just doesn't seem to fit.

Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Undead is a collection of forward-moving tracks eclectically composed and performed. It's art rock at its best. Hopefully the flick is just as interesting as its soundtrack.

Check out www.seanonolennon.com.