Omnivore has recently released "Radio Daze/Glamping," Roger Joseph Manning Jr.'s 2018 E.P. "Glamping" as an expanded CD or LP, with live and studio bonus tracks. As much as I love Jellyfish, I haven't loved Manning's solo work nearly as much as Jason Falkner's. Manning's records always sound like he is either trying too hard, or being too cute, or simply sacrificing melody for production and style. I know many were gaga over The Lickerish Quartet E.P.s, and yes, they each had moments. But overall, something was missing. (Maybe it was Jason Falkner.)
I revisited "Glamping," via the expanded Omnivore release, and like Lickerish, it had its moments, but overall, my feeling was exactly the same as it had been with previous Manning solo work. But there were a few tracks that really stood out for me, like "Is It All A Dream" which to my ears, has Todd Rundgren all over it. One of the bonus tracks is a live version of "What You Don't Know About The Girl," which Manning describes as a T..V. theme song if Mary Tyler Moore and Rhoda had a little sister. Cute.
I recently read Jason Falkner responding to a number of fans who asked him on his Instagram page where the new album was? His answer was basically, find me someone who wants to pay me to record it and release it. That sounds like there ain't no Falkner record coming. So until then, while I'm still alive, I should be thankful for Roger Joseph Manning Jr., even if "cute" isn't the first thing I look for in pop music.
6 comments:
Yeah, I'd be surprised if we get a new Falkner album ever again. I'd throw some dollars at a kickstarter for one, but I don't know how well that works out for anybody.
I was gaga over Lickerish, if not Gaga (but I will check out her Rolling Stone vocals when that album comes out). Thx for this tip
I'm of the same mind as you when it comes to RMJ. We're all waiting for something that approaches the brilliance of Jellyfish but it hasn't been forthcoming. His stuff seems to have all the requisite elements but always leaves me a bit disappointed. I've listened to "Glamping" and the only 2 songs I came away with were "Operator" and "What You Don't Know ...", "Is It All a Dream" is not bad but it doesn't grab me like the other 2 did.
It feels like something is missing from these songs.
I'd throw some dollars at a kickstarter for a new Jason Falkner record! Let's git 'er done!
The "Live" bonus tracks on the Omnivore expanded edition are acceptable.
Without a hint if guilt, I think TV Eyes and a little Molly bake a fascinating cake. Melts in your mind like butter-cream frosting.
Lickerish Quartet stuff is B+/A- material and I'm a strict grader.
Jason's probably got tons of shit in the can. Kissing his ass and begging for it is not the correct way of going about it. Quite the opposite, actually.
VR
Jason is really beginning to piss me off.
And, as one of his biggest fans, that really pisses me off.
Randy
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