Track listing
Show track credits
- 1 The Land of Pure Imagination 6:01
- 2 Too Late for Us Now 3:23
- 3 Wish It Would Rain 5:42
- 4 The Loser 3:36
- 5 Sandman 3:35
- 6 What You Don't Know About the Girl 2:49
- 7 Dragonfly 5:20
- 8 Creeple People 5:28
- 9 Sleep Children 2:47
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Mike McGuffytrumpet
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- 10 You Were Right 5:42
- 11 'Til We Meet Again 3:44
- Total length: 48:07
Rate/Catalog
Catalog
Set listening
Review
To rate, slide your finger across the stars from left to right.
8 Issues
- Release view [combined information for all issues]
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Solid State Warrior [p] Gatefold, Paper/Cardboard Sleeve
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Solid State Warrior Digital file
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The Land of Pure Imagination Digipak
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The Land of Pure Imagination Bonus Tracks, Deluxe Edition, Paper/Cardboard Sleeve
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The Land of Pure Imagination 33 rpm, Bonus Tracks, Deluxe Edition
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The Land of Pure Imagination Bonus Tracks, Deluxe Edition, Digital file, Streaming2020 Lossless Digital
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The Land of Pure Imagination [blue & green vinyl] 33 rpm, Bonus Tracks, Colored Vinyl, Deluxe Edition
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The Land of Pure Imagination [purple & orange vinyl] 33 rpm, Bonus Tracks, Colored Vinyl, Deluxe Edition
7 Reviews
Solid State Warrior is Roger Joseph Manning Jr. at his musical peak. More than a decade after the bitter end of Jellyfish and his collaborations with resident genius Andy Sturmer, he still shows incredible versatility and really strong musicianship. The material here is quite diverse, with some songs he had shelved from his time with Jellyfish, and the "standout one", "Wish It Would Rain" composed alongside Brian Wilson in some sessions in the early 1990s.
The songs are, in general, really catchy and most have not-so-serious lyrics, with lots of psychedelic elements and pleasant layered harmonies. Roger also really proves himself as a singer here, doing 100% of the vocals and backing tracks, layering and overdubbing his own voice in some interesting and creative ways. In the end, the vocal arrangements really shows how much The Beach Boys are an influence to him, with "What You Don't Know About the Girl" being a big example of it.
"Sleep Children" and "'Til We Meet Again" both are beautiful calm ballads, contrasting well with the more power poppy tracks such as "The Loser" and "Creep People". There is some stuff which I don't enjoy that much, like the opener "The Land of Pure Imagination" and the almost Bond-esque "Dragonfly". Overall though, I would consider this to be a brilliant effort, that shows how talented Roger is, with impeccable instrumentation and a big variety of tunes, whilst still always maintaining his signature flamboyant power pop identity.
The songs are, in general, really catchy and most have not-so-serious lyrics, with lots of psychedelic elements and pleasant layered harmonies. Roger also really proves himself as a singer here, doing 100% of the vocals and backing tracks, layering and overdubbing his own voice in some interesting and creative ways. In the end, the vocal arrangements really shows how much The Beach Boys are an influence to him, with "What You Don't Know About the Girl" being a big example of it.
"Sleep Children" and "'Til We Meet Again" both are beautiful calm ballads, contrasting well with the more power poppy tracks such as "The Loser" and "Creep People". There is some stuff which I don't enjoy that much, like the opener "The Land of Pure Imagination" and the almost Bond-esque "Dragonfly". Overall though, I would consider this to be a brilliant effort, that shows how talented Roger is, with impeccable instrumentation and a big variety of tunes, whilst still always maintaining his signature flamboyant power pop identity.
Published
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Perfect Pop
Glorious pop indulgence. Minus one star for goofy lyricsPublished
Jellyfish's genius pop flair lives on with Roger Joseph Manning Jr.
Published
Ex Jellyfish keyboard player returns.He has McCartneys gift for melody and real flair with the arrangements.There's more than a hint of Brian Wilson in there too.This is great pop music.Now if only he could tempt Andy back to make another Jellyfish record that would be special.
Published
This is the best pop album I've ever heard. It's an album that I was completely in love with after the first listen and have continued to have the same affection for since. I can't find anything I dislike on the album and that is why I give it 5 stars. Worth every import price penny!
Published
Having been a former member of Jellyfish, it is perhaps unsurprising that this album sparkles with a similar psychedelic pop finish to that favoured by San Francisco's finest.
"Solid State Warrior" is in fact the Japanese version of the album that was released as "The Land of Pure Imagination" in the U.S. with 3 different tracks and whilst this is perfectly acceptable, for me, the Japanese version just shades it.
Opener "The Land Of Pure Imagination" gives a foretaste of what's to come with it's slow verse building to a slightly quicker sing-a-long chorus, a la "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" (typically, this is not the only Beatlesque moment on the album.)
Other treats include a brace of charming lullabys ("Sandman" and "Sleep Children"),a song from the soundtrack of an imaginary spy-movie("Dragonfly") and the infectious all purpose pop of "Too Late For Us Now" and "What You Don't Know About The Girl".
The closing two tracks, "You Were Right" and "'Til We Meet Again" ("Over The Rainbow by another name!) provide a mellow finale to what is a quite breathtaking voyage across a soundscape of pop styles and Manning plays every note himself.Amazing!
For anyone with aneven slightly sweet tooth, "Solid State Warrior" is a candy-store full of treats which should be taken in one sitting and will still leave you wanting more.
A triumph!
"Solid State Warrior" is in fact the Japanese version of the album that was released as "The Land of Pure Imagination" in the U.S. with 3 different tracks and whilst this is perfectly acceptable, for me, the Japanese version just shades it.
Opener "The Land Of Pure Imagination" gives a foretaste of what's to come with it's slow verse building to a slightly quicker sing-a-long chorus, a la "Lucy In The Sky With Diamonds" (typically, this is not the only Beatlesque moment on the album.)
Other treats include a brace of charming lullabys ("Sandman" and "Sleep Children"),a song from the soundtrack of an imaginary spy-movie("Dragonfly") and the infectious all purpose pop of "Too Late For Us Now" and "What You Don't Know About The Girl".
The closing two tracks, "You Were Right" and "'Til We Meet Again" ("Over The Rainbow by another name!) provide a mellow finale to what is a quite breathtaking voyage across a soundscape of pop styles and Manning plays every note himself.Amazing!
For anyone with aneven slightly sweet tooth, "Solid State Warrior" is a candy-store full of treats which should be taken in one sitting and will still leave you wanting more.
A triumph!
Published
One of the best cds of 2006. The long awaited solo album by Roger Joseph Manning Jr. It has 3 different tracks than the Japanese version, which is kind of a bummer because they should have included them all, but at least it is not as expensive. I particularly enjoy "Too Late For Us Now", ""Wish It Would Rain", "Creeple People", and "In The Name Of Romance". Definitely recommended for Jellyfish fans in need of a fix.
Published
CDL29 CD (2006)
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