The Jellyfish has long been considered an iconic power pop group for the ninties, and each of the groups members have met with varied degrees of success. Fans have slavishly followed the careers of Jason Falkner, Andy Strumer and Roger Manning Jr. over the years. One other member of that group was Eric Dover, guitarist during the “Split Milk” era. After joining Manning in the celebrated group Imperial Drag, Eric has performed with guitar gods: Alice Cooper, Gibly Clarke, Slim Jim Phantom, Brian May, Eddie Van Halen and many others over the years.
Well now Eric’s new persona is simply called “Sextus” and his new album “Stranger than Fiction” is poised to drop in February. The albums complex arrangements took nearly 10 years to complete, with most songs being demo’ed extensively. He has also contributed to the Jellyfish Tribute “Sensory Lullabies” with the tune “That is Why.”
So is it worth the wait? Well mostly yes. The guitar work is outstanding and is reminicent of Imperial Drag for sure. I felt the album builds up a bit too slowly, albeit dramatically. The opening intro, brings to mind heavier guitar rock of Steve Hackett or even Yngwie Malmsteen. The point being, you play this music loud. “Wild To Make You Mine” is the most Imperial Drag-like, full of intricate guitar flourishes and layered solos and vocals. This can backfire a bit on “Mystery of O” which sounds like a mashup of both Queen and The Propellerheads. It’s not bad, but so dense with sonic detail, we lose the vocals and melody at times. Mid way through the album it hits it’s stride with the awesome “On The Freak Side” and becomes a real R-rated adventure with “Tricki Tina.” The gems are sprinkled throughout with “Break of Morning” and the raunchy “Ballmi” (Yes, it’s exactly what you think it is). The lyrical wordplay here would make even Prince blush. So overall, Sextus lives up to his name (don’t play this around the kiddies) and fans of Jellyfish, or Imperial Drag will lick it up. Right now it’s only available as a vinyl, but expect wide distribution next month.
As mentioned, it’s been “demo’ed” for over ten years, floating out there in the public. Dramapants Records told me it goes in wide release next month.
Whaaaaaat!?! i thought that “Stranger Than Fiction” has been out for couple of years at least. I heard it couple of years ago…