Peter Himmelman – Imperfect World

Peter Himmelmans latest is full of electric guitars, chomping away at the air like a dog trying to grab a stream of water from a hose. Add to that the snap and wallop of drummer Pete Thomas (Elvis Cos-tellos longtime backbeat maestro) and youve got the foundation of a world class combo.

The eleven songs here move from the uptown swagger of This Afternoon In The Rain to the riff-laden groove of Black Rolled Into Black. The title track is a heartfelt prayer that sets up a contrast between lifes small pleasures and the unquenchable ache of loss.

Himmelmans vocals are free of overt mannerisms, adding further power to this and other numbers on the strength of a quietly compelling everyman stance. His lyrics have a rich bearing, with simple phrases breathing new life into familiar themes of displacement, shattered expectations and the glow of hope. After an introduction built around a wailing slide guitar, the world-weary Wet Matches aptly reveals itself like the discovery that the promise of fire has been forestalled by water.