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.

Song #1 - mp3

Song #2 - mp3

Song #3 - mp3

Song #4 - mp3

Song #5 - mp3

Song #6 - mp3

Song #7 - mp3

Song #8 - mp3

Song #9 - mp3

Song #10 - mp3

Song #11 - mp3

Song #12 - mp3