'LAND OF PURE IMAGINATION', the debut release from musical genius, Roger Joseph Manning Jr. the multi-instrumentalist and co-founder of power pop icons and legends, Jellyfish, Moog Cookbook, and Imperial Drag wrote every song, played every instrument, and sang every note on this debut. A debut that takes me back to a time where harmonies and melodies were a given in music. Where I could listen to a song just a few times before finding myself singing along to a catchy chorus it made my soul feel good, it rocked the house, it glimmered and shined and burst forth from your stereo like it was something that mattered. Something that I anticipated, longed for, shared with my friends. Mr. Manning has put together one of the most thoroughly accomplished CD's to hit the market in a very long time. A pastiche of perfect pop, sublimely melding the likes of so many bands like the Raspberries, Queen, the Beatles, highlighting the elements of radio-friendly 60's/70's/80's music like, Pilot, Badfinger, Squeeze, Brian Wilson and let us not forget, Burt Bacharach. From the psychedelic title track and "Dragonfly" to the rollicking circus piano pop of "Too Late for Us Now," to the multilayered orchestration of "Wish It Would Rain" and "Sandman," to the crunchy rock of "Creeple People" and the lilting ballads "Sleep Children" and "Til We Meet Again," Roger Manning scores. And if the seemingly simplistic charm of "You Were Right" doesn't have your toes tapping and vocal chords straining to hit those falsetto notes right along with Roger, frankly, you must be dead. The music on this CD is as comforting as an old friend's voice, the scent of your lover's perfume, or a baby falling asleep in your arms. A CD that can be listened to annually for about a week and stay breathtaking for years. Each time a true music lover hears this album for the first time it is going to be a heavenly experience. 'Land Of Pure Imagination' is a must have.

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