Catnip Dynamite

Roger Manning | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (February 3, 2009)
• Original Release Date: 2009
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Oglio Records
• ASIN: B001OFM2X8
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (15 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #125,776 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)

Editorial Reviews

2009 U.S. pressing of this album from the Power Pop icon featuring three bonus live tracks. Roger's track record includes influential group endeavors with Jellyfish, Imperial Drag and The Moog Cookbook. He has worked as a highly respected session man with hundreds of artists from Johnny Cash to Paris Hilton and his most recent work includes appearances on records from Morrissey, Glen Campbell and Cheap Trick. Catnip Dynamite magnificently refers back to a rich heritage of former eras of pop music but then catapults it into the future with tracks like 'The Quickening' and 'Love's Never Half As Good'. The infectious first single, 'Down In Front', musically touches on the early `70s British scene when artists like Sparks and Alvin Stardust ruled the airwaves.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Roger Joseph Manning Jr. delivers another molar-tingling dose of sugary pop, April 5, 2008

By 

Thomas Dopko "Fitcharoo" (USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catnip Dynamite (Audio CD)

When Roger Joseph Manning Jr. released his Solid State Warrior tracks a couple of years ago many viewed it as the next best thing to Jellyfish while others saw it as a pale imitation. I've heard it said that if you took "Sebrina, Paste and Plato" from Spilt Milk and recycled it a bunch of times you'd end up with most of Roger's most recent pop output. I find that attitude both uncharitable and a bit distant from the truth. Yes, most of the songs are cheesily penned lyrically, and Roger's voice makes any song seem like a Partridge Family outing to see the highlights from a contest of harmonies between Queen and ELO, but that is the genius behind Catnip Dynamite and it is the main reason Andy Sturmer was able to balance his own musical sensibilities and create such outstanding music with Roger.

01. The Quickening (10/10) - A fantastic tune with that classic over-produced grandeur common in the 70's. The beat is something out of Gary Glitter's repertoire. Replete with space-age synth sweeps and even a cowbell, it has some marvelous ELO moments that are stunning. The super harmonies and musicianship are all typical in RJM's work.

02. Love's Never Half As Good (7/10) - Showcasing Roger's piano skills, this song is the equivalent of "I Wish It Would Rain" from Solid State Warrior. This is one of those soft, AM radio friendly songs that has Roger performing several background vocal tracks. While this is not one of my standouts, it is still quite good with plenty of happy, sappy moments. The name of the song sums it up pretty well... It does have a "Chorus Line" moment toward the end that really came out of the blue for me.

03. Down in Front (10/10) - It is really hard to describe this one... The verses tick along quickly to a keyboard rhythm that supports a snappy synth beat, but the bridges between verses and verse and chorus are these blistering blasts of great glam guitar. A fine T-Rex moment, again with a Glitter foot-stomping beat thrown in make this one an absolute winner.

04. My Girl (6/10) - This one actually pushes the boundaries of sappiness in a pop song. A slow-ish beat with a banjo being plucked to offset the saloon-style piano jangling is a little much to take unless you are ok with not having anything that will set the pulse racing or the foot tapping. Cute, but that is where it ends.

05. Imaginary Friend (9/10) - This one has the same keyboard stylings that bands like Smash Mouth, Inspiral Carpets and the Caesars used to great effect. A nice solid beat that is more 60's than 70's in it's inspiration, this particular song actually plays down Roger's vocals and just sets a go-go tone. It could be a b-side for "Dragonfly" with the slightly Austin Powers feel.

06. Haunted Henry (7/10) - A piano influenced tune that rolls along sadly. Not a rocker by any stretch, and somber in it's tone it comes complete with bell tolls and is set to a minor key throughout. Any song about a crazy person living locked in his crazy mind is sure to fall short of upbeat.

07. Tinsel Town (5/10) - I gave this a 5, though it has some Country & Western sensibilities that I find disturbing. I will be skipping this song, which is something I didn't do at all on Solid State Warrior.

08. The Turnstile At Heaven's Gate (9/10) - This one redeems where Track 07 failed. It has some complex moments and ultimately plays like a song from the same recipe book that spawned some of the better Wings and Queen moments. It changes gears a bunch of times and has no hummable chorus, but it really has an epic feel to it.

09. Survival Machine (6/10) - This is the stepchild of "Sandman" and "Sleep Children". If you like the harpsichord-laced stuff and get a kick out of Roger's voice hitting the upper registers, this song is for you. It has a pretty anti-war theme, so if you are into Freedom Fries and Walmart, you might want to steer clear. A little reminiscent of the "Butcher's Tale" from The Zombies Odessey and Oracle but with Roger's super-sweet voice carrying the story.

10. Living In End Time (10/10) - A heavier tune with a more rock 'n' roll tone. This one actually plays up some guitar work that is absent in many of the others. This one is not as readily recognized as a style Roger is known for. Still, it is pretty fun and about halfway through it it has some downright Jellyfish sounding moments.

11. Drive Thru Girl (7/10) - If you could imagine how Beatles fans felt when Paul did "Honey Pie", you might have an idea how this song throws a wrench in the gears. It has a stage piano as the primary instrument with hand clapping and a kazoo as the only other instrument. It is fun in it's way, but is an odd one after Track 10. It is supposed to emulate an old fashioned stage show or tavern piano act. It succeeds there...

12. American Affluenza (10/10) - A fun song that again uses that go-go mode with the short, choppy keyboards and some Beach Boy harmonies. You could frug to this one with the electro-flute and tight drum beat. An upbeat song about American excesses set to a swingin' beat with Roger's voice again somewhat subdued save for the harmonies. A good ender in that it closes on a high note.

SUMMARY: Much less even than Solid State Warrior, this one still has enough to warrant a look from power pop fans and old members of the Jellyfish Army. The high price tag is prohibitive in that this release is really only worth the price tag if you are a collector of Roger's stuff or an ex-Drag/Jellyfish fan. I would not recommend this one as a starting point for those new to Roger Joseph Manning Jr. Solid State Warrior is much better in my opinion than the similarly tracked The Land of Pure Imagination, though the latter is cheaper by far. If you are willing to drop the money on Catnip Dynamite, you already probably know what you are getting into. It is Roger after all, so it is cleverly produced pop music with an incredible attention to detail and intricately built melodies and harmonies.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars More Jaw-Dropping Tracks from Roger, April 15, 2008

By 

T. Prentice "Jellyfisherman" (Akron, OH United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catnip Dynamite (Audio CD)

I've been trying to think how to best review this CD without writing a tome. I'll save us all a lot of time and just share some thoughts:
- There are many five star songs on this CD by Roger, and I've rated the CD five stars for this reason.
- Highlights for me: "The Quickening", "Loves Not Good Enough" and "Down In Front" are all a blast and can be heard on Roger's MySpace Page. "Turnstyle at Heavens Gate" is pure genius in an XTC way - truly seminal and full of surprises. And "Living In End Times" is pure Jellyfish at it's rocking best (and lyrically deepest).
- Some of the mixes are radio ready, which tells me there was a little more money behind this release. Roger deserves it, and the Japanese get kudos for their good taste.
- Spending some time with the lyrics sheet will reward you. It is clear that a lot of time and effort went into many of these ideas. It is also clear that Mr. Manning is a true "tortured artist" in every sense. Some of the quieter moments are very sobering, to say the least.
- If you have read this far, you are probably already familiar with this musician and his work. You won't be disappointed.
- Pardon me while I go press "play" again. Cheers!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Another home run for RJM!, February 10, 2009

By 

Gary Scharg (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Catnip Dynamite (Audio CD)

Just got the "autographed" US version today and am loving it! IMHO just as good as LOPI/SSW which was one of my top all-time picks. After listening to each song a couple of times, here's my take:
The Quickening - Rock Anthem (think Genesis, Styx, ELO, but with better vocals)
Love's Never Half as Good - Supertramp meets Sedaka meets Brian Wilson meets Queen in this happy ballad. Vocal arrangement is beyond description. Composition is wonderful.
Down in Front - Power pop ballad with a driving melodic rock tilt. Upbeat, influences of Queen in the vocal arrangement. Composition is excellent. Roger throws in many more changes (takes more chances) than any of the mainstream songwriters out there. Possibly the best song on the album.
My Girl - A ballad Paul McCartney could have written around 1970. Simply done initially comes out very polished with full and lush breaks, outro is like Paul Simon.
Imaginary Friend - Sixties groove psychedelic ballad. British and LA influences. Like if the Doors did an album with the Beatles in 67.
Haunted Henry - Roger's signature piano sound dominates, Elton influences (Yellow Brick Road era) lush vocal production out-does Beach Boys or Queen.
Tinsel Town - California Country Rock Ballad with some unbelievable keys thrown in along Roger's incomparable vocal arrangements. Possibly the best song on the album. It's the only song on the album that isn't all Roger (pedal steel Dave Pearlman).
The Turnstile at Heaven's Gate - Remember The Who early 70's? (Who's Next, Tommy Quadrophenia) throw in some Supertramp and Beatles. Roger's vintage keyboards give it a retro sound, yet his composition is fresh.
Survival Machine - Eighteenth Century harpsichord ballad with flute/fife, organ gives this a cathedral sound. At almost eight minutes, most labels would never include this as a song on a CD, confirming Roger's outlaw status (good for him).
Living in End Times - Head banger rocking guitar beat might scare some away, but by 1:55 you hear what you were waiting for when Roger's vocals take charge. The ending is pretty scary though.
Drive Through Girl - McCartney-esque, sort of campy piano ragtime sing along, (think Rocky Raccoon, Oh-Bla-Di)actually has kazoo solo. "The Inventive Genius" proves he could actually carry a room by himself and a piano. So traditional and sparse for Roger, sounds like it could have been written way back when in the days of chorus and verse, though he does throw in the now expected RJM bridge to keep him honest.
Bonus Live Tracks: Europa and the Pirate Twins - a Thomas Dolby penned song I'm not familiar with.
You Were Right - from LOPI/SSW, surprised it sounds as well as it does, tough song to attempt live due to the heavy vocals and high expectations of studio version. Actually translates quite well live, Roger's vocals are quite good and in timing and key, really hard to do with the high falsetto portions whilst playing keyboards. Bravo!
Love Lies Bleeding (Funeral for a Friend intro) - Technically excellent. Tough song to cover and they nail it live.