Exploring the Musical Careers of John Lennon's Sons: Julian and Sean

John Lennon, the legendary member of the Beatles, left behind not just his music, but also his legacy through his two sons, Julian and Sean. As we look into their respective musical careers, we find that both have taken very different paths, each with their own unique styles and approaches.

Julian Lennon: The Melodic Pop Star

Continuing the legacy started by his father, Julian Lennon has carved out a niche for himself in the pop scene. His music is often stately and melodic, characterized by its high quality and mid-tempo rhythms. Julian's sound can be likened to Michael Penn's catalog, indicating a refined and soulful blend of pop and folk.

Julian's first album, titled Valotte and released a couple of years after his father's death, marked the beginning of his commercial success. The album received warm accolades from Beatles fans who saw it as a way to express their grief for John. Julian's resemblance to his father in both sound and style is palpable, but it is his talent that truly stood out, resonating with his fans.

Over the years, Julian has released a total of five albums. While the first few were well-received, each subsequent release had a decreasing popularity. This could be attributed to the constant pressure and expectations placed on him as the son of a legendary musician, which likely led him to step back from the spotlight.

During this period, Julian immersed himself in other facets of life, contributing to photography, environmental causes, and writing children's books. These endeavors provided him with a break from the constant scrutiny of his music.

However, Julian's musical career saw a resurgence with the release of Everything Changes in 2011. This album, while showcasing some of his earlier work, also featured collaborations and reissues of popular tracks. Notable among these is the re-release of Photograph Smile, featuring a collaboration with Steven Tyler from Aerosmith. Most of Julian's music maintains a mid-tempo pace, with an underlying melancholic tone, reflecting his personal journey and musical maturity.

Sean Lennon: The Experimental Musician

Unlike Julian, Sean Lennon has embraced a much more experimental approach to music. His style oscillates between avant-garde and psychedelic, often leaving listeners with a sense of density and occasional discordance. Sean's music can be likened to the works of Pink Floyd, but with a distinct lyrical influence.

Sean's career took an interesting turn when he started working on his mother Yoko Ono's musical projects. He was involved in several group collaborations, including Cibo Matto, Ghost of a Saber Tooth Tiger, and even helped revive the Plastic Ono Band, collaborating with his mother as Yoko Ono Lennon. These collaborations have given Sean a platform to showcase his unique musical style and experiment with different genres.

In recent years, Sean has further explored his eclectic musical tendencies. He formed The Claypool Lennon Delirium with Les Claypool, the lead vocalist and bassist of Primus. This collaboration resulted in a dense and sometimes dissonant sound, reminiscent of Pink Floyd but with Sean's signature lyrical touch.

Sean's latest foray into music includes a collaboration with Miley Cyrus, where they covered the classic song Happy Xmas (War is Over). This project showcased Sean's versatility and his ability to connect with contemporary audiences.

Conclusion

While Julian and Sean both follow in their father's musical footsteps, their approaches and styles are vastly different. Julian's sound is more melodic and accessible, while Sean's is experimental, avant-garde, and sometimes psychedelic. Both have carved out significant places for themselves in the music industry, contributing to their father's legacy in their unique ways.