Conceived in Kansas City, born in Seattle and matured on the stoops (and crappy practice spaces) of Brooklyn, Imaginary Johnny’s roots are deep and diverse. The rock-anthem friendly radio of the Midwest, the twang and blues roots of KC, Seattle’s alt-country and Americana scene, New York’s rougher-around-the-edges rock - it’s all evident in Imaginary Johnny’s third release, Only Chimneys.

Only Chimneys showcases IJ’s longest-standing and most cohesive lineup yet: Adam Sylvia on guitar, Ismail Lawal on drums, and songwriter Stuart Wolferman on vocals and keys. Together, they paint a broad landscape, with private meditations one moment that erupt into defiant anthems the next. Sylvia’s guitar playfully weaves in and out of the main melodic thread - subtle but unmistakable. Lawal’s drumming is similarly restrained; a veteran of ensembles ranging from Brian Jackson to Ladybug Mecca, Lawal is as lyrical and expansive with his drum kit as Wolferman is vocally.

Longtime fans will recognize the distinctive imagistic songwriting and mix of pop styles, and will discover a warmth and cohesiveness that signals a departure of sorts. There is a newfound fullness to IJ’s sound, with brass, strings and a full choir of sorts. Only Chimneys is no less personal than the recordings that preceded it, but it is also epic, taking on larger socio-political themes.

"If the debut from Imaginary Johnny is any indication of what’s to come, Belle and Sebastian best be watching its back. Muffled broadcasts and tweakedout squiggles peg lyrics about instant coffee, tropical rain storms and purple-clad prostitutes... summery ballads flutter past like sweet visions of rose colored icing on a three-tier wedding cake... the commentary on love, loss, and New Orleans never grows tiresome." -MAGNET

"Whether through words or sounds, it never feels artificial and never overriding. This, in a sense, is indie-pop’s equivalent to Willie Nelson’s Red Headed Stranger. It really is that good." -BROWNSVILLE HERALD

"While there are other singer-songwriters who enhance their storytelling with electronics, Imaginary Johnny envelopes acoustics, burbles and ideal pop vocals into a gentle, less-handled whole... Imaginary Johnny is either arriving at a new place or painting a picture of where he’s been, sometimes fitful and other times content. The Upside of the Downside, with its warm fills and club-affectionate beats, is a songwriter with equal regard for electronics and illumination." -INDIEWORKSHOP.COM


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