ROGER JOSEPH MANNING JR.
The Land of Pure Imagination
(Cordless)
www.rogerjosephmanningjr.com

Those in the know would realize that the songs on this Roger Joseph Manning Jr album have been available since last year as Weed files (under the album title Solid State Warrior), which is another digital format to sell music with. If that’s you, well, I’m not writing this review for you but for the mass audience out there who think Weed is something one smokes…

Roger Joseph Manning Jr is of course now better known as a Beck sidesman and as an in-demand keyboards player of record, film and TV producers. However, if you are a genuine enthusiast of the finest rock and pop music, then you would be aware that Roger was one-half of the creative force behind Jellyfish, which in its short recording career produced two unforgettable pop classics – Bellybutton (1990) and Spilt Milk (1993).  Following the demise of Jellyfish, Roger would be involved with Imperial Drag and TV Eyes (with Jason Falkner) and would end up in Beck’s backing band.

Last year I wrote in my Going Underground column that The Land of Pure Imagination “is a kaleidoscope of Roger’s fascination with innocence as the music suggests a gentler pop era as soft rock ballads, chamber pop pieces, show tunes, Disney movie themes and lullabies dominate Roger’s soundscape. Personally, I’ve been besotted with the trio of “The Land of Pure Imagination,” “You Were Right” and “Wish It Would Rain” – honestly, I’ve been playing them non-stop and can’t seem to get them out of my head. “

One year later, the power of those songs have not diminished – not even by an iota. Add to the untouchable trio, the piano-pounding, bright & sparkling “Too Late For Us Now,” the nostalgic “Sandman,” the gospel-tinged “Pray For The Many,” the spy-themed “Dragonfly,” the slightly glitzy “In the Name of Romance” and the quirky & whimsical “Appleby.”

For those who need references, think of Paul McCartney, Elton John, Supertramp, Queen, ELO… well, everything that you ever loved about Jellyfish… and more! It is no exaggeration for me to declare that The Land of Pure Imagination deserves to be in the collection of every fan of great pop music and I can think of no higher recommendation than to suggest that it should from henceforth be spoken of in the same hushed tones as that Jellyfish masterpiece, Spilt Milk.

Encore, maestro! A+