Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
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Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Wow, just heard Delusions of Grandeur by Fleming & John. Apparently they've worked with Steve Taylor, and I can hear allusions to God and the Bible especially on the last song A Place Called Love.
The album is typically labeled as alternative rock and Christian rock. It's got grungy power chords (fairly heavy), but the feel can be as zany as Kate Bush or Sparks or some other operatic art pop/rock due to over the top vocals/melodies for a rock band and with a jazz, bossa nova, and psychedelic feel in parts. I love it. An instant Christian rock classic for me. I hear their second album is a bit softer though.
Anyone know more about them? I've found a bit on Wikipedia and Allmusic. Any other similar Christian artists?
The album is typically labeled as alternative rock and Christian rock. It's got grungy power chords (fairly heavy), but the feel can be as zany as Kate Bush or Sparks or some other operatic art pop/rock due to over the top vocals/melodies for a rock band and with a jazz, bossa nova, and psychedelic feel in parts. I love it. An instant Christian rock classic for me. I hear their second album is a bit softer though.
Anyone know more about them? I've found a bit on Wikipedia and Allmusic. Any other similar Christian artists?
Last edited by Friday13th on Fri Sep 22, 2017 6:22 pm; edited 1 time in total
Friday13th- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Yes, excellent stuff.
timekeeper- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Yes, I like their stuff. Be sure to check out their other album, "The Way We Are." Maybe not quite as good as the debut, but still has some good tunes.
They've been working on a new album for the past couple years, too, and had a massively successful Kickstarter campaign for it. Not sure when that will be done, but they post updates fairly often: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flemingandjohn/fleming-and-john-new-album-2015
I saw them live at Cornerstone Festival sometime in the 90s, or maybe it was even twice. I definitely remember one show.
They've been working on a new album for the past couple years, too, and had a massively successful Kickstarter campaign for it. Not sure when that will be done, but they post updates fairly often: https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/flemingandjohn/fleming-and-john-new-album-2015
I saw them live at Cornerstone Festival sometime in the 90s, or maybe it was even twice. I definitely remember one show.
Sir Shred A Lot- Seasoned Guardian
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
This album was in regular rotation for me and my best friend in high school. Great release. I think I still have a copy somewhere.
Deepfriar- Holy Unblack Knight
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Nice. Yeah, I'll have to listen to their second album and look forward to this album in the works. I just went over to the local record store and they had Illusions of Grandeur on CD! I walked out one happy camper.
Friday13th- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Yeah, love both albums and especially the song "A Place Called Love".
Soundmass.com- Seasoned Guardian
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
The debut was cool. They had a different sound for sure combining many styles into a hard rock alternative sound.
Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Soundmass.com wrote:Yeah, love both albums and especially the song "A Place Called Love".
Yeah, "A Place Called Love" is pretty metal, like an middle-eastern metal dance. Great song, easily the most clearly Christian-themed.
My other favorites are "I'm Not Afraid" and "Delusions of Grandeur." I have to say, "I'm Not Afraid" has one of the most strange and unexpected bridges that actually works. "Delusions of Grandeur" is just flawless all around. It's got the dark melodies, the critique on the "just follow your dreams" mentality, an impeccable arrangement...just perfect.
Friday13th- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
I've never owned one of their albums, but definitely love me some Fleming and John. They were active on Facebook about a year or so, but then vanished. From what I've read about them, they have done quite a bit in the scene. Especially background work in commercials and such if I'm not mistaken. John is supposed to be pretty proficient in a lot of instruments.
Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Yeah, I've been a fan since they started. One of the world's few truly unique bands. Saw them live in Chapel Hill, NC in college mid-90s. Delusions of Grandeur was definitely the best of the two.
It seems to have vanished from the internet, but if you ever get a chance to hear their "Winter Wonderland" tune set to Led Zeppelin's "Misty Mountain Hop," it's awesome too.
It seems to have vanished from the internet, but if you ever get a chance to hear their "Winter Wonderland" tune set to Led Zeppelin's "Misty Mountain Hop," it's awesome too.
strangerhoncho- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
strangerhoncho wrote:Yeah, I've been a fan since they started. One of the world's few truly unique bands. Saw them live in Chapel Hill, NC in college mid-90s. Delusions of Grandeur was definitely the best of the two.
It seems to have vanished from the internet, but if you ever get a chance to hear their "Winter Wonderland" tune set to Led Zeppelin's "Misty Mountain Hop," it's awesome too.
Nice! I would have loved to have seen them back then...at the impressionable age of 2 years old
Love "Misty Mountain Hop". That sounds like quite the cross-over! I do hear a bit of Zeppelin in their sound, especially "Break the Circles."
Friday13th- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Their version of Harder To Believe Than Not To is probably my favourite track from the Steve Taylor tribute album (I Predicit a Clone). Haven't heard anything else, sounds like I should.
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
elManique wrote:Their version of Harder To Believe Than Not To is probably my favourite track from the Steve Taylor tribute album (I Predicit a Clone). Haven't heard anything else, sounds like I should.
I heard that! "HARDER to BELIEVE than NOT TOOOOO!"
The original Steve Taylor song is my favorite from him, but interesting to hear a heavy version of it. Definitely a good choice considering the operatic tendencies of Fleming & John. I had to check if the lady that sang the operatic intro for Steve Taylor wasn't Fleming herself (it's not her).
Definitely check them out when you get the chance. I've been jamming Delusions of Grandeur all week.
Friday13th- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
I'm aware of them primarily because of their working with Ben Folds and Ben Folds Five. I know John has worked on several Folds projects, and I think I read somewhere that Ben played on one of their albums. Never heard the album, but I've heard the song Delusions of Grandeur and I seem to remember it being pretty cool. Sounds like I should give the album a listen. I had no idea they were Christians.
Athanasius- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Verbum Lux wrote:I'm aware of them primarily because of their working with Ben Folds and Ben Folds Five. I know John has worked on several Folds projects, and I think I read somewhere that Ben played on one of their albums. Never heard the album, but I've heard the song Delusions of Grandeur and I seem to remember it being pretty cool. Sounds like I should give the album a listen. I had no idea they were Christians.
Yeah, the Christianity is only barely discernible. On Delusions of Grandeur, "A Place Called Love" borrows heavily from Revelation:
No bombs, no guns, no more war, no genocide, no torture
No disease, no affliction, no crippled, no addictions
No prisons, no more poverty, fresh air everyone is free
A place called love
No sun no moon will shine, the Lamb will be our light
No hunger, no more thirsting, water of life we'll all drink
No more death, no more crying, every tear wiped from our eyes
A place called love
And the Spirit and the Bride say come
Let him who hears say come
Let him who thirsts say come
Let him who wishes come to a place called love
"I'm Not Afriad" is about God when you think about the bridge:
You’re a constant in life’s stream of variables, as sure as the sun and the moon,
You’re a certain in this world of changeables,
You are you, and that’s the only thing I know that’s true.
I didn't hear anything relating to Christianity on their second album, but I'll have to listen again.
Edit: Oh yes, "Devils Food":
he's got his finger on the trigger
it's not a gun, it's something bigger
oh, emotional warfare has been declared on you
see how he manipulates, berates you and humiliates?
he wants you to see what it feels like to be him
oh, that's not love pumping through his veins
you're like the sun shining on his shade
he's a parasite and he's trying to suck the life out of you
why are you taking up for him?
no, you can't save him from his sin
oh, he's pulling you down
he's gonna wrestle you into the ground
he'll make a mess out of you
he'll turn you into devil's food
get away while there's time
your friends are making bets on your life
oh, that's not love pumping through his veins...
you're devil's food
go, go, go
go, go, go
girl, run run for your life
oh, that's not love pumping through his veins...
he's a parasite and he's trying to suck the life out of you
you're devil's food
I'm just saying this cause I love you
Friday13th- Metal Warrior
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Re: Art Rock: Anyone into Fleming & John - Delusions of Grandeur?
Friday13th wrote:The original Steve Taylor song is my favorite from him, but interesting to hear a heavy version of it. Definitely a good choice considering the operatic tendencies of Fleming & John. I had to check if the lady that sang the operatic intro for Steve Taylor wasn't Fleming herself (it's not her).
Definitely check them out when you get the chance. I've been jamming Delusions of Grandeur all week.
Listening to the Steve Taylor version it's great but quite different in feel, F&J is snappier and more accessible (this is a metal forum after all).
And now, have listened to Delusions of Grandeur, wow that's fantastic stuff, quirky and unique. The opener I'm Not Afraid is stuck in my head - perfectly catchy and high-energy. Second favourite would be A Place Called Love.
elManique- Metal Warrior
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