Customer Reviews

Flown This Acid World

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Peter Himmelman is truely a pleasure to listen to.Not only are his songs an audio delight to hear, but his lyrics are fluid,topical,witty and intelligent (well, most the time) prose about things a lot of people care about. However, he was more of the critics darling with his releases, and the buying public didn't always get what he was about. Coming out of left field, or being a little left of center, might work for John Prine or John Hartford, but it didn't always mix well to the initiated, or those looking to get initiated to his work. (see "The Himmelvaults-vol.1). This being the strong release it is, it would be redundant to break down the tracks-they're all strong. Simply put:buy, listen, enjoy! Now I can only hope that Himmelman would get his music from his old Minneapolis band, SUSSMAN LAWRENCE, out on CD someday soon. They were a great party band,and their double album, "POP CITY", contains what I consider one of Pete's best songs, "The Strangest Emotion". The other 20 songs,(all written by Himmelman) are a great showcase of what was to come.

Why do I love music with Quasi Judeo-Christian Buddhist spiritual insights? The most famous in this category is Van Morrison, who you never know what spiritual path he maybe on at present. With his 1982 CD "Beautiful Vision" Van turns the words of Alice Bailey & the Tibetan into lyrics for 2 songs. Later in the 1989 CD "Avalon Sunset" Van sings total Gospel to Jesus Christ. Right after that in 1990 Van returns to an eastern perspective with "Enlightenment". Another musical artist Luka Bloom intermixes Christian & Buddhism with the right combination with his fantastic 2002 CD "Between the Mountain & the Moon". Even the ex-bass player from "Lone Justice" Marvin, who is Jewish yet his 1994 CD "Weapons of the Spirit" sounds very Christian while never saying the name Jesus. Peter Himmelman is also Jewish that carries these themes with songs about personal responsibility, free will, self sacrifice, & forgiveness. Maybe that's it; all the above musical artists write serious songs that deal with salvation as spiritual growth. Something that is always questioned but must always move forward or upward, by passing the standard classifications unto a near universal vision.

"Flown This Acid World", is what I feel to be Peter Himmelman's best CD. At this time he still holds onto his Judeo-Christian foundations but his next CD "Skin" tells a story about a self centered man being reincarnated into his opposite which gives an eastern expression bringing me to my main title for this review: "Quasi". Peter Himmelman's first two CD's "Germatria" & "Synesthesia" lack something or maybe I should give them another spin? His 3rd CD "From Strength to Strength", he finally came to his creative style with very strong songs both musically & poetically. This is a CD that you can play for years & always find something new. If you like "Flown This Acid World", try "From Strength to Strength".

Most of the songs on "Flown This Acid World" deal with the hardships of life, & the love & the will to over come, & to grow into a better human being.

Some of the songs highlighted:

"Raina" is about Peter Himmelman's daughter & how she has changed his life by being born. He writes & sings about how people view life so negative but by having a loving child brightens one hope for the future. Beautiful & masterful guitar work help the song along.

On this web site the last song is called a "Bonus Track" but on my CD it is called "Untitled" It is the best song Peter Himmelman ever wrote where he tells the story of when he flew to the mid-west to visit his brother. Once he got out of the airport he takes the 1st taxi he sees to drive to his brother's house. The night is cold & raining, the worst of all nights. The taxi driver asks where he has travelled to & Peter Himmelman answers "I have been to the USSR." The taxi driver replies "Isn't that where the Jews & commies are?" Peter Himmelman remains silent about his Jewishness & the taxi driver reveals that he is a Neo-Nazi. Near the end of the ride Peter Himmelman sings about the taxi driver; how can you talk to a man with "a hatred so naked & so pure?" He tips the taxi driver & hugs his brother who meets him at his door. The next day he meets a man with death camp marks on his arm who says "We must refute them that say it wasn't so."

Great writing, singing, & production. What more can you ask of a CD?

I bought it about two years ago, and I have yet to put it back on the rack. It's always one of the ten I always carry in my car just in case I'm stranded along the freeway, or if aliens zap me and my car to the planet Zoltar. I have to have it with me at all times. I am shocked that Himmelman is not a huge star. All the same, I prefer knowing that he isn't. His lyrics are the perfect combination of truth, wit, and compassion. Buy this CD and you'll wonder why you haven't heard of this guy. Just tell a few friends, though. I'd hate to have the whole world know how incredibly original and refreshing he is.

I've followed Peter Himmelman's career since his first solo album "This Father's Day", (1986) to his most recent 2010's "The Mystery And The Hum". On this his 5th solo recording "Flown This Acid World", is a comeback after the weak release in "From Strength To Strength" (MHO), I know most people like that album. "Flown", is a more forceful
effort and with personal issues. Songs that I really like were, The title track a great acoustic-rock number, "Beneath The Damage And the Dust", great backing vocals by Kristin Mooney, should of been a hit. The smoldering "Closer", "Child Into A Man", this song is so majestic, with help from two Heartbreakers Mike Campbell and Benmont Tench. The funky rock of "You Know Me Better Than I Do", one of Peter's top 10 tunes (MHO). The pounder "How Did It Come To This", some fine guitar on this track. "Raina", one of Peter's ultimate numbers. "Weight Of The Wait", with some fine fiddle by Lisa Haley, Peter is one of the most underrated writers out there. "Untitled", just listen to this, quite a story, good musicianship throughout.
Produced by the late Don Smith, Epic didn't try hard enough to keep this man (what a shame)!

The man makes beautiful music with really thought provoking lyrics. Equally as talented as Jeff Buckley, but with a quite different musical style.

We (my wife and I) received this CD as a gift. Having never heard Peter Himmelman before, we were unsure what to expect. The CD has turned out to be an unexpected pleasure: fine, melodic songwriting and great performances. We listen to it all the time and may actually spend real money for more of his CDs. The guy deserves more attention than he is apparently getting.