Search - Nelson :: Imaginator

A rock concept album about television...

06/12/1998

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Nelson's latest U.S. release -- this is the album which Nelson record company wouldn't let them release as album #2, follow-up to the successful "After the Rain". "Imaginator" is fascinating--bands rarely do concept albums anymore--it was gutsy of Matthew & Gunnar Nelson to put this together. The album is chock full of good rock music, some hard driven. The album follows a fictional character Leonard the Unlikely, through his televison journey. "Do you Believe in Religion?" questions spoon-fed evangelism. "Kiss Me when I cry" and "Judas Mirror" are my favorite ballads. "Imaginator" is composed of strong vocals and arrangements, along with clips from television. The sound may evoke a touch of Bon Jovi, Bryan Adams..."

SIMPLE THE NELSONS AT THEIR BEST

Susan M. Franklin | Chicago, Illinois United States | 04/26/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I own ALL of the Nelson CDs and love them all. I have to say, this is my absolute favorite. I've read interviews from Gunnar and Matthew that this was a "concept" CD recorded during a dark time in their lives. I've even read that this CD is difficult/impossible for them to listen to. I disagree for my own reasons.



Yes, this could be considered a "down and dirty" CD, but it's also fun. I particularly like: SOONER OR LATER (maybe my all-time favorate Nelson song); WE ALWAYS WANT WHAT WE CAN'T GET (good harmonies); SHE GETS DOWN (my second all-time favorite Nelson song - and about as "dirty" as Nelson can get); ACTION (a fun song); THE JUDAS MIRROR (their voices at their best).



I love this CD and I hope you will too."

Another Great Nelson Album

C.B. Radley | Houston, TX | 09/13/2004

(4 out of 5 stars)

"If you already know Nelson, but haven't purchased this disc yet, you should. I don't quite like it as much as Because They Can, but it's still excellent. I think this was supposed to be released before Because they Can, but the record company thought it was too different from After The Rain (??). I don't understand why, because to me Because They Can is a lot more mellow, where as this one has more of the "power chord" rock that you heard in After The Rain. However, it does sound more mature.

Note that all the tracks are not full songs. A lot of them (like the first two tracks) are just small instrumental intros into the next songs. So really the first song is "Do You Believe In Religion". If you are a fan of Ozzie & Harriet, you will love "I Don't Mess Around Boy" which is taken from the show.

My personal favorite tracks are "Sooner Or Later" and "We Always Want What We Can't Get" as well as an impressive cover of Sweet's "Action". Check it out!!"