- Peter Himmelman
- Imperfect World
- Majestic Recordings (Los Angeles)
- By Zach Peterson
 Imperfect
world
With every stone in its place
Imperfect world
I miss your laugh and your perfect face
There is only one flaw
It's that you're not here
So goes the chorus to the title track from Peter Himmelman's
latest release, Imperfect World. The song was written
in the wake of his sister's death in an auto accident. Appropriately,
the song-which appears mid-way through the 11-track affair-sums
up the tone of this blues-infused and, at times dark, record
of grief and heartbreak.
The lyrics resonate with loss, loneliness and exhausted attempts
at reconciliation. On "One Minute Longer", Himmelman
sings:
I'm just trying to reason with you
Would you like me try just one minute longer
Or should I leave?
One of the strongest tracks, "Kneel Down", is a
slow-burning plea for forgiveness (samples lyrics: "We don't
run in the house of God/We only crawl" and "There is
time enough/to have no time at all") with a clever, possibly
unintentionally fitting, reference to Johnny Rivers, who began
writing and performing spiritual music in the 1980s.
Lay down, let's listen to Johnny Rivers
Let's hear his voice, he's got a story to tell
It comes in so clear, the man can deliver
He can pick you up, when you look like hell
Imperfect World isn't an entirely depressing work.
"This Afternoon in the Rain" and the opener "Loaves
of Bread" rock loosely and show hints of light through the
clouds.
Himmelman's lyrics work well over a sonic landscape full of
slide guitar, driving drumbeats and crunchy electric guitar.
Unlike much of his other work, this record is an entirely electric
affair and Himmelman proves himself to be a formidable player
plugged in. The supporting crew is an amalgam of musicians who
have big names on their resumes: drummer Pete Thomas (Elvis Costello),
bassist Sheldon Gomberg (Ryan Adams) and Jeff Young on Hammond
B3 (Jackson Browne).
For those unfamiliar with Himmelman's work, Imperfect World
is a good place to start. Also be on the lookout for the retrospective,
Mission of My Soul: The Best of Peter Himmelman due out
in September 2005, which includes the title track, "Imperfect
World".
www.peterhimmelman.com
Contact Zach Peterson at zapper-at-rockzilla.net
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