Solid State Warrior

''Solid State Warrior'' is the debut solo record by American musician Roger Joseph Manning, Jr., released on March 5, 2005 through the (now defunct) Weedshare music distribution service. In 2006, the album was rereleased internationally under the title ''The Land of Pure Imagination'', with three different tracks.

Background and release

Before beginning his solo career, Manning was best known for his work with Jellyfish, Imperial Drag and the Moog Cookbook. He also did session work with acts including Blink-182, Fiona Apple, Jamiroquai, and Beck.

Some of the material on the album was written several years earlier. "Wish It Would Rain" was written for the Beach Boys' Brian Wilson. In the early 1990s, Manning presented the song to Wilson, who came up with a bridge section. Manning rewrote Wilson's contribution as he felt it was "just a bit average, even for him".

The album was originally released on the now defunct peer-to-peer service Weedshare instead of receiving a traditional retail release. Neither the album or service were commercially successful. A year later, the record was released exclusively in Japan by Pony Canyon.

Later in 2006, the album was re-released internationally under the title ''The Land of Pure Imagination'' on Cordless Recordings with three different tracks. "What You Don't Know About The Girl", "Sleep Children" and "'Til We Meet Again" were replaced with "Pray for the Many", "In the Name of Romance" and "Appleby".

Critical reception

In his review for AllMusic, Joseph McCombs called ''Solid State Warrior'' a "solid" sunshine pop album. While he describes the songs "Sleep Children" and "'Til We Meet Again" as "forgettable lullaby ditties", he says the song "What You Don't Know About the Girl" a "bona fide candy-coated delight". To summarize he notes that the album "continues in the sunny power pop mold; it doesn't tip over into exceedingly twee or baroque territory, but rather emphasizes bright melodies and playful arrangements."

''Power of Pop'' gave ''The Land of Pure Imagination'' an A+, saying it "deserves to be in the collection of every fan of great pop music..." and suggests that it should "be spoken of in the same hushed tones as that Jellyfish masterpiece, '' Spilt Milk''".

Track listing

All songs written and composed by Roger Joseph Manning, Jr.

''Solid State Warrior''
#"The Land Of Pure Imagination" – 6:01
#"Too Late For Us Now" – 3:23
#"Wish It Would Rain" – 5:42
#"The Loser" – 3:36
#"Sandman" – 3:35
#"What You Don't Know About The Girl" – 2:49
#"Dragonfly" – 5:20
#"Creeple People" – 5:28
#"Sleep Children" – 2:47
#"You Were Right" – 5:42
#"'Til We Meet Again" – 3:44

''The Land of Pure Imagination''
#"The Land of Pure Imagination" – 6:01
#"Too Late for Us Now" – 3:23
#"Wish It Would Rain" – 5:42
#"The Loser" – 3:36
#"Sandman" – 3:37
#"Pray for the Many" – 3:02
#"Dragonfly" – 5:19
#"Creeple People" – 5:31
#"In the Name of Romance" – 5:26
#"You Were Right" – 5:43
#"Appleby" – 5:30

Personnel

Musicians
*Roger Joseph Manning, Jr. – vocals, keyboards, guitar, bass, drums
*Mike McGuffy – trumpet on "Sleep Children" and "In the Name of Romance"

Production
*Produced by Roger Joseph Manning, Jr.
* Mixed and mastered by John Paterno

References

External links

''Solid State Warrior''
at Discogs (list of releases)
Roger Joseph Manning Jr. talks to Rhino.com about ''The Land of Pure Imagination''

{{Authority control

2005 debut albums
Roger Joseph Manning Jr. albums
Pony Canyon albums