Roger Manning – Glamping
PledgeMusic: https://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/rogermanningjr
“It’s been 24 years since Jellyfish last harmonized, 22 since Imperial Drag last rocked, 21 since the Moog Cookbook synthesized, 15 since TV Eyes electrified, 11 since Malibu computerized and 10 since my last solo album, Catnip Dynamite.” It’s hard to believe that it’s been that long since we were graced with the creative gifts of former Jellyfish whizkid Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. Known more so these days as Beck’s right had man, Roger will always be ½ of the creative brain of one of my all time favorite bands.
Roger has returned in 2018 with a new 4 song EP called Glamping that features 4 songs that seamlessly pick up where he left off with Catnip Dynamite. The opening track, “Operator” just brought a huge ass smile to my face because the minute I heard that voice, I knew right away who it was and what it was he was doing. “Funhouse” seemed to be the standout track as it was a bit different from the other three. It wasn’t my favorite but my god, these last two songs, “Is It All a Dream” and “I’m Not Your Cowboy”… these sound like they could be lost Jellyfish classics.
“I’m Not Your Cowboy” literally had me daydreaming and thinking that maybe, just maybe one day we will see Roger and Andy reunite and make magic together again. Until then, it’s just nice to know that Roger Manning hasn’t lost his direction at all. Way too many times have I heard artists try too hard to change their sound or evolve to the point of almost sounding unrecognizable. There’s something comforting in listening to Glamping that when listening to it, it’s Roger Manning. It’s Jellyfish. It’s the style of music he does best and he sounds so alive.
Glamping sounds as if something awoke inside of him and really pushed and inspired him to make some new music. While four songs may not be enough, Roger proved Yngwie Malmsteen wrong: less is definitely more. This EP left me wanting more and I can only hope that this is just the beginning of a Roger Manning renaissance that will bring is much more music in the not so distant future.
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