Besides the Beatles, the biggest musical influence on me over the last 20 years has been Jellyfish. I could explain their impact over two albums in the early '90's, but to keep this blog relevant to now, I will talk about the new release by Jellyfish keyboardist Roger Joseph Manning Jr. It is titled Catnip Dynamite and is the follow-up to 2006's Land of Pure Imagination.
Even though I have often described Roger's last effort as "the third Jellyfish album", this one goes even further to carry on the legacy of the mighty 'Fish. Even though I crave a Jellyfish reunion, I am afraid that it would be a mistake and it would taint the memory of what I would consider to be two perfect albums (1990's Bellybutton and 1993's Spilt Milk). I am glad to see that Roger can still churn out tasty pop classics, even though Andy Sturmer doesn't wish to participate.
From the opening chords of "The Quickening", you can tell that Roger was inspired for this record. "Love's Never Half As Good" sounds like it could have come off of Spilt Milk. My favorite tracks are "Down In Front", "The Turnstile at Heaven's Gate", "The Quickening" and the supercharged "Living in End Time". This is an album that won't disappoint any fan of Jellyfish. It isn't the same without Andy's presence, but this is the most inspired I have heard Roger in years.
Unfortunately this album is not currently available in the United States. Similar to his last release and Jason Falkner's latest album I'm OK, You're OK, the album is released only in Japan currently on the Noise McCartney label. I am confused about why these artists are releasing records this way. I understand if they have a Japanese label and no US label, but it seems to me that there are alternate ways of getting music out to people (iTunes, self releases via websites like Radiohead and Nine Inch Nails, etc.)
A US release is most likely forthcoming, but if you are interested in getting Catnip Dynamite right now, the best import price on it is from CD Japan .
You can listen to short clips of all of the songs from this album at the Not Lame website at this location.
2 comments:
I found "Pure Imagination" to be more light and airy than the more meaty Jellyfish offerings; more "Russian Hill" than "The Ghost At Number One." But what do I know?!
I think you know a lot. I agree completely about the light and airy nature of "Pure Imagination". This album is much more hefty. I dig it.
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