Customer Reviews

Dark Horse

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With a voice like Cat Stevens, inked arms a la Tommy Lee and a guitar style akin to fellow indie artist Ani DeFranco, Eric Himan is an angry young man on a mission. Perhaps "angry" is a bit strong, since he only strums like an angry young man in stark contrast to his deeply personal and vulnerable lyrics. But if you're looking for an original voice in the latest crop of 20something schlocksters, Himan is your man. He rocks. He rockabillies. But perhaps the most poignant moment on Himan's new record is his only cover: the Simply Red soul ballad "Holding Back the Years," which - in his skillful hands and simple production - breathes new life into the hauntingly beautiful classic. Himan is like the stray junk yard dog you want to adopt. He's scrappy on the outside, gentle on the inside, and ultimately irresistable.

I like every kind of music, from pop to classical to rock to blues... and yes, even country. I can appreciate a good song, regardless of the genre. This CD, though, slides across genres, refusing to fall into a single style. The one constant is Eric's passion. It's in the lyrics, the music, and the voice. This guy is more than a singer. He is an incredible entertainer. (I have seen him twice, and will definitely see him again.)

Specifically on this CD, his songwriting is witty, clever, and personal. The opening track describes the one-up, one-down of a relationship, saying "if I'm your habit, you're my curse." And the plea to be seen as he is now, for good or bad, is eloquently played out in "Throw away the past."

Buy this CD. And don't let it out of your sight. Friends will borrow it, and you will never see it again!

I read an article about Eric and he seemed very interesting. He had a good attitude and seemed very intelligent. I looked him up on i-tunes and ended up buying his stuff. When I heard Dark Horse was coming out I was pretty happy. I live in Los Angeles and looked everywhere for his CD. Just buy it from Amazon. I never found it in the stores. Was it worth it? Yes. Eric has a really unique voice and I mean that literally. It is just different. His songs are so true to people emotions. I love finding new artists and spreading them around to people. You can only listen to Britney so many times without needing to find some quality. His music is kind of dark in places and the genres run from blues to rock. Great stuff. I can't wait to see him in concert.

The more I know about "mainstream" music the more I love the independent artist. One listen to this album supports my belief in that first statement. I recently saw Eric perform live in Charlotte after reading a bit about him online, in a magazine and a local newspaper. From what I read, I was hoping I could connect to the music and lyrics. I did! Before the show I approached him and he was pleasant, down to earth and just geniune.
The album is great! Start out listening to the familiar "Holding Back The Years." It is a great introduction and he carries it well and you remember why you like that song and begin to like Eric. Great voice, great lyrics, great music! There is the funky "White Horse" which anyone can relate if you have every been "lookin'" for love. It is a nice upbeat hopeful track. "Stranded" has the hooks to be a number hit. The guitar work and voice shine on this song. We all have our "Habit/Curse" which Eric sings about so eloquently. My favorite is the hidden track!
Basically all of the 11 tracks are worthy of release and radio play if there is a radio station deserving of such quality music. I can't wait to get his earlier releases now!!!

Recently, I read a small spot in a magazine about Eric Himan. My first reaction was to dismiss him as another one of today's "all about appearance, no substance" artists. Then my "inner voice" said, "give the guy a chance". Always listen to your inner voice. Eric Himan is one of a new generation of singer-songwriters who have broke free of the corporate chains that bind much of today's popular music in a prison of mediocrity. He is far more substance then appearance.

To call him a new artist would be wrong. "Dark Horse" is his forth release, but is the first of his albums that has a real studio feel to it. It is also his first release to include a cover song, a beautiful rendition of Simply Red's "Holding Back the Years". The rest of Dark Horse is all original material, and what prodigious material it is.

While his earlier albums are excellent, they are stripped down productions that rely on Eric's soulful voice and vibrant guitar playing for the backbone of their sound. The production on Dark Horse is rich and lush without being over produced. There are also a greater variety of styles on this album.

The country twang of "White Horse" is great. Every time I hear this song, I picture it being played in a conservative western bar with the progressive play on sexuality in the lyrics going right over the heads of the oblivious toe tapping patrons. "Brown Fog" is a tender, heart-rending, soul-searching ballad that has the jazzy feel of a late night barroom. You can almost see the smoke in the air. Needles to say, "until the music stops, I will listen".

Eric Himan's voice is as moving in person as on this CD. His sound is soulful, upbeat, and authentic all at once. I highly recommend trying this CD. You won't be disappointed.

My first impulse is to compare Eric Himan to Gavin DeGraw but that would be because I heard the latter first. Of course, this talented singer/songwriter/musician has quite a few pegs of raw talent over the young and equally handsome DeGraw. Himan has a voice that is a whole lot grittier and as he wraps his vocals around his lyrics, the listener is drawn in with hardly any resistance. His unconventional sound only makes every song he sings more fresh and more appealing. Even with Dark Horse, a more blatant attempt at mainstream than any of his previous efforts, his sound remains distinct and refreshing. Even though he is an openly gay artist, don't expect to hear blatant songs about man on man action... most of the songs could be about anyone which should add to his overall appeal. He does touch up on gay issues but ever so slightly on this album... not as obvious as he did with "My Decision", his blazing retort to Date Rape.
Opening with "Habit/Curse" is a great way to begin a journey of musical landscapes enlivened by rich and engrossing lyrics. The song is about realising that sometimes what you want and need are not the best things for you. "Have Me" is undeniably upbeat and catchy, drawing you in from the first instant to the last chord. It even features that rare instrumental break (most of the songs here do, actually). "Clyde" is a haunting piano driven tune with Himan trying a honeysuckle approach to singing which adds to the charm. "White Horse" is catchy and fun... an upbeat jem that has a folky sound to it. "Holding Back the Years" is cover that is stunningly well delivered and a perfect choice to go with Himan's stunning voice. When he sings those words, it is hard to not feel where he is comming from. "Aimlessness" is one of my favorite tracks on the album despite it being a bit short. It has a midtempo rock appeal to it and the lyrics are true. (If you don't know what you're looking for/how you ever gonna find it?) "Stranded" is a slow, R&B tinged song that talks about moving on and growing... it is a saddened song of hope. "Listen" is another piano driven ballad that is quite pretty and his smokey voice highlights this beauty. "Throw Away the Past" is close to being a modern pop rocker but it is one that outshines the competition with its true to life and personal lyrics. "In the Brown Fog" is a near accapella number backed with subtle guitar chords and it is a stripped down song of beauty complete with his deeper than others lyrics. And something to rejoice about... there is a hidden bonus track that is unnamed but hardly unmentionable. It is the rockiest song on the album and it could have easily served as the opening number as it is equally engaging as "Habit/Curse", yet it serves a deliciously crafted purpose as the ending... it leaves the listener wanting more.
Eric Himan may not be a popular musician enriched with the frothy sounds or Good Charlotte, britney Spears, or Gavin DeGraw, but he deserves to be a big time artist. His skill transends the genre of "independent" and it would be a blessing to the ever-stale state of the mainstream music world. This album is worth the price... and it is worth the time invested to listen. Go for it... give Eric Himan a try.

Bought this CD after seeing him perform in Oklahoma City. I can't pick a favorite track, they all stay in my head. He's as fantastic in person as he is on his recordings. Great guy, great music!

While singer/songwriters are hard to pin down in the old demographic arena that runs the entertainment industry, I will always praise them because the talent they have in aces above performers that fit into one genre, one age group. Himan's music covers the gambit from rock to the blues and everything in between. His voice is unique and it carries his auidence along like all great artists do. His latest CD is a prime example of why he needs to be heard more. Filled with tales of loves lost and loneliness that hide in the dark corners of us all, he's able to bring them into the light. A worthy addition to anyones CD collection, you'll not be disappointed.