Search - Peter Himmelman :: The Himmelvaults - Vol. 1

The Himmelvaults serves up the sort of off-the-wall assortment that will leave those unfamiliar with the charms of cult favorite Peter Himmelman scratching their heads... and will prompt old fans to crow with delight. Consisting of a mix of live tracks and cuts recorded in Himmelman's backyard shed/studio, the 13-track hodgepodge offers surprises at every turn. It's apparent Himmelman isn't afraid to toy with minds from the opening selection, a surprisingly convincing Barry White parody. From there, he mixes everything from '70s fusion with '80s-techno-pop ("Small Ted") to a moody, funky late-night stroll down a grocery store aisle ("Sardines"). And yet the likes of "Veneer of Virtue" and "Only Innocent" prove Himmelman is a gifted and accessible folk-rock craftsman, albeit one with a hyperactive imagination. --Steven Stolder