ROGER JOSEPH MANNING, JR.(Jellyfish) - Catnip Dynamite :: Not Lame Recordings - power pop and melodic rock record label, music and CDs

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ROGER JOSEPH MANNING, JR.(Jellyfish) - Catnip Dynamite

FINALLY out in the United States! NO longer an expensive Japan-only import and that is most excellent news for us all because this was one of THE best albums of 2008. Here is what I wrote about it in early 2008. AND the U.S. version has three bonus trax. Recorded Live From Fuji Rock, Japan. The trax are:

1. Europa and the Pirate Twins

2.You Were Right

3. Love Lies Bleeding

SOOOO...this is the story. "Catnip Dynamite" has arrived! AND - it`s UTTERLY AMAZING! I`m serious - I`m so completely blown away as I listen to this, not only did I put up 12 soundbites below to prove how transcendent this album is for fans of this style of power pop, but to state that "Catnip Dynamite" is one of THE best albums of the decade and ---get ready I`m going to blaspheme here --- is as great as either of the two Jellyfish album.

"10 out of 10. Highly detailed pop compositions that hook into your brain from the opening riffs on "The Quickening" to the Moog keyboards on the bouncy single "Down In Front." Unlike the last effort, there is more of an effort to rock here and approach each pop song with surgical precision that lasts longer than 3 minutes. There is also less flowery pop (a la Carpenters) and more groovy psyche rock with lot of progressive organ flourishes peeking out behind the melodies. You can hear Strawberry Alarm Clock all over "Imaginary Friend" for example. Every track has it`s own unique flavor, and that`s part of the joy in exploring this album. The storytelling element is expanded here on most tracks (i.e. " Haunted Henry" and "Drive Thru Girl") with the sound effects adding to the atmosphere too. Toward the albums end, it gets very proggy and preachy a la Tony Banks-era Genesis on "Survival Machine.""-PowerPopAHolic.

Like I said, I am aware for many Jellyfish fans this is going to rile, piss-off, shock and dumbfound - but I`ll be first to stick out his/her neck. The only thing missing is the $500,000 studio budget (actually, I hear it was more than that) that "Spilt Milk" took to record. I will be in the minority but there will be little denying the fact that this going to one of the most important albums for pop fans who just don`t want every-day, cookie-cutter, more of the same music. Rarely will I say this in this time of such a weak dollar and importing music from over-seas(especially, from Japan) - but this is worth every single penny and ---- Sadly, only out in Japan - NO U.S. date pending any time soon, tragically.

Can`t blame anyone not wanting to `go for it` - so please enjoy what I have here below even though it`s a fraction of the music on this stunner. Most of the songs here push the `over 5 minute range`, believe it or not - and they ALL need every single second to say their piece. Anyway, a MAJOR event for many us even if we are stuck for 2008 without a possibility of a US release any time soon.

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Customer Reviews

The Second Coming Of Roger Joseph Manning Jr.

Reviewer: Kurt Luchs

If the Beatles are the epitome of what pop music can achieve -- and they are -- and if "Revolver" is the perfect Beatles album -- 14 fantastic songs, none of them alike in tempo, tone, orchestration or theme, but all equally imprinted with the same sonic genius -- then Jellyfish stands almost alone as the inheritor of that tradition. And with the last Jellyfish album coming 15 years ago, what does that leave us? It leaves us Roger Joseph Manning Jr., who has become the half that sounds as good as the whole. "Catnip Dynamite" is his second coming, after "Solid State Warrior/The Land of Pure Imagination," and it proves that the astonishing quality and variety of his first solo album was no fluke. In a musical wasteland where most best-selling albums are lucky to have one good track, and every song sounds the same, and whole radio formats consist of bands that are interchangeable and unlistenable, "Catnip Dynamite" shines like a mackerel in the moonlight. Creativity is not dead, folks! Every one of the 12 songs here is a multi-faceted, carefully crafted gem that repays repeated listenings. Immediate standouts include "The Quickening," "My Girl," "Imaginary Friend," "The Turnstile At Heaven's Gate," and "American Affluenza." If I keep going, I'll end up listing every song on the album. Yes, it's that good, and Bruce is correct, this is right up there with anything Jellyfish ever did. For me, though, the magnum opus on this album is an epic called "Survival Machine." I don't even know how to describe it. At nearly 8 minutes it has the sweep and scope of "Bohemian Rhapsody," though it sounds nothing like that song or Queen in general. The subject is the invention and use of the first atomic bomb in World War II. Somber stuff for pop, to be sure, but in Manning's sure hands it ascends into a more redemptive place. Swirls of harpsichord give way to organ and strings and the song almost literally floats off to heaven at the end. It's really two songs joined by an insane instrumental calliope-like bridge that could have come straight out of "Being for the Benefit of Mr. Kite." All in all, it's as ambitious as "A Day in the Life," and as mysteriously beautiful and hard to pin down. I call that the mark of a real artist, someone who is not afraid to risk sounding pretentious, who is always reaching beyond where others have gone. I don't care how expensive the Japanese import is, I would gladly pay five times as much for any album this good. Don't miss this one.

Another Blockbuster by Manning!

Reviewer: Gary Scharg

After the nirvana of "Solid State/LOPI" I doubted Roger could equal this. Often artists "peak" at a point, but Manning continues his excellence (actually improving, if possible) with Catnip Dynamite. Tremendous diversity of sound, like Fountains of Wayne on steroids. The Quickening Rock Anthem (think Genesis, Styx, ELO, but with better vocals) Loves Never Half as Good Supertramp meets Sedaka meets Brian Wilson meets Queen in this happy ballad. Vocal arrangement is beyond description. Composition is wonderful. Down in Front Power pop ballad with a driving melodic rock tilt. Upbeat, influences of Queen in the vocal arrangement. Composition is excellent. Roger throws in many more changes (takes more chances) than any of the mainstream songwriters out there. Possibly the best song on the album. My Girl A ballad Paul McCartney could have written around 1970. Simply done initially comes out very polished with full and lush breaks, outro is like Paul Simon. Imaginary Friend Sixties groove psychedelic ballad. British and LA influences. Like if the Doors did an album with the Beatles in 67. Haunted Henry Rogers signature piano sound dominates, Elton influences (Yellow Brick Road era) lush vocal production out-does Beach Boys or Queen. Tinsel Town California Country Rock Ballad with some unbelievable keys thrown in along Rogers incomparable vocal arrangements. Possibly the best song on the album. Its the only song on the album that isnt all Roger (pedal steel Dave Pearlman). The Turnstile at Heavens Gate Remember The Who early 70s? (Whos Next, Tommy Quadrophenia) throw in some Supertramp and Beatles. Rogers vintage keyboards give it a retro sound, yet his composition is fresh. Survival Machine Eighteenth Century harpsichord ballad with flute/fife, organ gives this a cathedral sound. At almost eight minutes, most labels would never include this as a song on a CD, confirming Rogers outlaw status (good for him). Living in End Times Head banger rocking guitar beat might scare some away, but by 1:55 you hear what you were waiting for when Rogers vocals take charge. The ending is pretty scary though. Drive Through Girl McCartney-esque, sort of campy piano ragtime sing along, actually has kazoo solo. The Inventive Genius proves he could actually carry a room by himself and a piano. So traditional for Roger, sounds like it could have been written way back when in the days of chorus and verse, though he does throw in the RJM bridge to keep you guessing. Bonus Live Tracks: Europa and the Pirate Twins - a Thomas Dolby penned song Im not familiar with. You Were Right from LOPI/SSW, surprised it sounds as well as it does, tough song to attempt live due to the heavy vocals and high expectations of studio version. Actually translates quite well live, Rogers vocals are quite good and in timing and key, really hard to do with the high falsetto portions whilst playing keyboards. Bravo! Love Lies Bleeding (Funeral for a Friend) live Technically excellent. Tough song to cover and they nail it.

Another HIT!

Reviewer: Alan Abril

I am so thoroughly convinced that Roger is a godsend of pure pop genus!! Catnip Dynamite is, well.... DYNAMITE!- and probably gives a glimpse of what Jellyfish would've sounded if Roger took the lead on vocals more often. I have followed Roger for years since his Jellyfish days and only dreamed of him writing music JUST LIKE THIS. It really is hard to find words to describe just how talented the man is, however Catnip Dynamite is just as good as SSW/LPI and (in some ways better) that's saying a lot. On top of the great arrangements is his story-telling and clever lyrics (better than some people give him credit for)... always fun and insightful with a touch of insanity- I LOVE IT! His vocal work is astounding and his sweet voice sounds like an angel at times, but not too over bearing. Moving on, Catnip Dynamite is the perfect follow up to LPI and I would highly recommend it anyone. I am eagerly waiting for the follow up to "Catnip".... Thank you Roger!

Catnip Dynamite Review

Reviewer: jonas mayer

Being a big fan of Jellyfish, I was stoked when I read about the new Roger Manning solo release. Is it good? Yes it's very good. Is it as good as "Solid State Warrior"/"Land of Pure Imagination" not quite, there's definitely some filler. In all fairness, I like the overall production better than "Solid State Warrior"/"Land of Pure Imagination". It sounds less like one guy in the studio playing everything and more like a band. Is it worth the hefty $40.00 price tag? Nope. I'd recommend waiting for the domestic release unless you have deep pockets.

Seriously, every bit as good as "Spilt Milk"!!

Reviewer: Lance Mono

Yes, that is a blaspheme. But Catnip Dynamite not only delivers, it's truly one of the great accomplishments of this decade. Jelly-fans, seriously - celebrate! Catnip delivers on all fronts. I can only imagine how this would have sounded if a major label gave him a budget. As it stands, there's not much missing due to the limitations of recordings at his own studio. Roger's voice is top form! Worth the price? For me, HELL YEAH! For you? Do what I did. I listened to all these soundbite on Not Lame and to figure it out.