Search - Peter Himmelman :: Gematria

Himmelman's Best

Eric R. Last | San Bruno, CA United States | 01/15/2004

(5 out of 5 stars)

"I have every album Peter Himmelman has ever made (including the Sussman Lawrence albums), and "Gematria" is my favorite. It was his second album under his own name (although the earlier albums under the Sussman Lawrence moniker were made with the exact same band-mates as his initial solo albums). Overall, this album has more of a band sound, and rocks harder, than most of his other albums, which usually have more of a singer/songwriter sound. The band sounds incredibly tight, and Peter sings as passionately as he ever has. My favorite track is the bouncy "You Bought It". "Waning Moon", "Burning Shame" and "I Feel Young Today" are fine rockers, "Wrapped Up In Cellophane" is haunting, and, since it wouldn't really be Himmelman without a few ballads, "Salt and Ashes" and "Does It Matter" fill the bill with aplomb. I think this one has been out of print for some time now, so it may take a little effort to find, but if you're a Himmelman fan, you should definitely get this."