Customer Reviews

Delusions of Grandeur

5 star:		(17)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

I bought this CD a few months ago for myself and loved it. I came of age during the 1970's and it reminded me of Led Zeppelin and the other "power guitar" bands of the period. If you miss that sound, and remember the days before "coffeehouse rock" when you didn't need coffee with your rock to stay awake, you'll love this CD.

I won't repeat what others have said about the lead female's (Fleming's) voice. Its a wonder to listen to. She's a national treasure.

Now recently I bought this CD for a teenager in the Sunday school in my church. She loved it and her mother did too! This is music that two generations can unite over.

Also, it's totally family friendly. The songs are powerful and contain positive messages. And, none of these token "artistic" obscenities that so many recording artists can't seem to make a record without these days.

Great stuff!! My only "gripe" is that these two have only two CDs out!

"A great sound backed by a wall of drums...the singing makes you want to learn how. After listening to it, you want more......and more." That's how my best friend describes the band. I'm less articulate. Fleming & John are GREAT. No arguments. What the lead singer (Fleming) can do with her voice is absolutely amazing. Imagine a continuous sound that climbs the scale ever higher to a raspy scream-yell and then falls sweetly back to a gentle pace. Then listen to the first track "I'm Not Afraid" and you'll know what I mean. Or, if you'd prefer an opera-like aria, try "Rain All Day." You're into cool guitar? That's the intro to "A Place Called Love." If you like alternative music, you'll love this band. Fleming is the epitome of the alternative chick singer. I heard two of their songs and bought the cd. Less than a week later, three of my friends followed suit. Does that let on as to how great they are?

I first heard F&J when their "I'm Not Afraid" was used as a soundtrack for an NBC television promotion (Remember the Saturday night "Thrillogy"?). Fortunately, some producer decided that if they put MTV-like song info on it, it would have more credibility....And so began my search.

After six months of off and on searching, I finaly found the album at a local record store and snapped it up immediatly. Absolutely amazing! From the First track, of which I had heard only the chorus, all the way to the last note, I was entranced. Some of my friends argue that Flemming's Voice is high enough to be simply screeching, but to me, Its just perfect. John's musical accompaniment does not fade into the background, as is so often the case when faced with a Powerful vocalist, but instead add to the richness of each song.

I often play Flemming and John at work and am invariably asked "Who is this?" If your new to Flemming and John, I would recomend this album over their newer release "The way we are." Their new album is very much like this one....but MORE.

All and All, an excelent addition to my Nearly patented "Bands No one has heard of" section of my CD collection.

After reading the reviews here about this mysterious group that I had never heard of, I had to try them out.

Wow. I am so thrilled. Being a musician myself, I am often irritated by the "cookie cutter" mentality of the industry.

This album is original. Fleming's voice flies all over the spectrum of notes and she does it well. From breathy soft to high melodic off-key trilled notes, she executes the notes beautifully and comfortably. At times she is a combination of Joni Mitchell and Janis Joplin (if you can fathom that) - for you older music lovers out there. There is also a bit of flute reminiscent of Jethro Tull at times.

The vocals that accompany her are a beautiful blend. The selections are eclectic and the listening experience is delightful. The songs are multi- layered and have a way of making you want to hear them over again.

This album is a ticket to a different world. When the CD is done, it makes you sit and think for a while and then perhaps turn it on all over again to ponder and enjoy that world for just one more half hour.

This CD will be placed with my collection of other original and inspired CD's as

Eric Champion- TRANSFORMATION,

Margaret Becker- NEVER FOR NOTHING- & THE RECKONING(when she was still creative and at her best before the mainstream got at her),

Novella- LIQUID EARTH -& ONE BIG SKY,

Whiteheart- POWERHOUSE -& FREEDOM, and

The Choir - CHASE THE KANGAROO- & DIAMONDS and RAIN.

If you want a different album that will make your music collection more interesting and invigorating, this one will fit that bill.

It sure did for me.

I had the wonderful good fortune to discover Fleming & John when I was in college at Middle Tennessee State University. They are from the same area and would often have concerts at a place called Main Street in Murfreesboro. I fell in love with Fleming's electric voice and the band's eclectic sound. They are some of the best in the biz-- and if you get a chance to see them live-- jump at it! I've seen them about 5 times and I would go 5 more, but if you can't find them live-- buy this CD! It's excellent!

I have seen Fleming & John twice now in Atlanta and will see them again this month. What great talent and performances of their songs. My favorite song is "LOVE SONGS" and the crowds must agree, because they sing along as well. If you haven't heard their music, listen to it.

Fleming McWilliams has one of the best voices in modern rock of the 90's. From beginning to end this album is one of the most fun from 1995. She soars to a beautiful, emotional, cry on one song to a compassionate, liquid, voice on the next. This could possibly be the most overlooked album in alternative music since it's release. I highly recommend it to people who love blistering, crunchy guitar backed by a lead singer who can really sing!

One of the best if not the best Christian alternative album of the 90's. A strange mix of Led Zeppelin,blues, grunge and chick rock..Every once in awile they make an appearance on myspace or facebook saying they have new music coming out but it has been about 11 years since there last album...

Great songs:

Break the circle
Love songs
Rain all Day
Bad reputation

Good songs

I'm not afraid
Letters in my head
6,570
Place called love

Not bad

Delusions of grandeur
Hanging on a notion

The hard yet innovative rock of Fleming and John on Delusions of Grandeur puts most contemporary rock bands to shame. One has only to listen to Letters In My Head to hear this. In some ways, their rock is simple. Screamed lyrics and super-cool, thrashing guitar have been rock standards for decades. Yet they manage to achieve a very musical sound, with tunes that will get in your head and not annoy you while they're there. For those who like thought-provoking lyrics, their message is certainly not that of most cookie-cutter rock hits. Listen and learn.

Original. This is the best word to describe Fleming and John. Every song on this album will blow you away. I can't think of any artist that is truly comparable. But Delusions is not just original- it is fantastic. First of all, John plays most if the instruments. His talent is unprecedented- amazing. Check out track 10&11, which go together, for a unique Middle-Eastern sitar sound not often heard in popular music, but F&J not only pull it off but add some unrivaled flavor. Fleming's vocals- what can I say? They actually took a while to grow on me, but soon I began to realize how unbelievably talented she is. This is one of those albums that is so good that it's really hard to choose the best tracks, but I guess I would have to say that "A Place Called Love," "I'm Not Afraid," "Love Songs," and "Rain All Day" could be considered stand-outs. But, like I mentioned before, every track brings something unconventional but exceptional. Buy this album- you will be a life-long fan!