After the dissolution of
Jellyfish, Roger Manning formed his new outfit,
Imperial Drag, with lead singer/guitarist Eric Dover. Working with producer
Brad Jones, the band released their self-titled debut in 1996 to the delight of
Jellyfish fans.
The sound of
Imperial Drag doesn't veer far from the power pop of
Jellyfish, although it isn't nearly as orchestrated as that band's final effort Spilt Milk. Instead, the sound is more, loose and opts for a garage-rock feel. Dover is a quality vocalist who bears more than a faint resemblance to
Cheap Trick's Robin Zander, particularly on "Crosseyed" and the playful "'Breakfast' By Tiger." The lyrics, on which Dover is a co-writer, are the clever stuff that fans had come to expect from Manning. Highlights include the opener, "Zodiac Sign," a lyrical send-up of all things New Age, and the tentative love song "Illuminate," on which Dover proves himself capable of handling a ballad as well as the rockers.
Imperial Drag is good, good stuff. ~ Tom Demalon