Jim Kremens
Spun
© 2003 Jim Kremens (616892571520)
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Spun is folk-pop music as it should be: tender, inspiring and emotive without the sappy sentimentalism of dorm music or the insipid lyrics of boy/girl bands - Rambles.net
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CDBaby review:
"With breathy, smoky charm, that beautiful spark underneath the crusty old, tattered surface, this is some of the most gorgeous, dusky, americana-tinged folk and alt country-informed folky pop to be found. Jim has an inspired knack for honing in on the perfect song- graceful structure, fluid but distinctive melody and harmonies, occasionally Beatles-esque, that relax those muscles you never knew you had. With compressed passion in his voice, a gut-twisting intensity digging into the resonance and warmth that sings out as well, his songs buoy on the collective experience of humanity, the very sentiments that are common to every beating heart. "
Rambles.net review:
Spun is folk-pop music as it should be: tender, inspiring and emotive without the sappy sentimentalism of dorm music or the insipid lyrics of boy/girl bands. Driving this is Jim Kremens' gorgeous voice. He sings like Bob Dylan with crystallized honey in his mouth: crusty and mellow, rich and golden, and so powerful in his restrained emotions that he makes you lean towards your radio to get closer. And his style sounds like he and his band are communing with the Beatles while they chat on the phone with Simon & Garfunkel and text-message U2.
The album is so mature, it's hard to believe Spun is Kremens' debut. There is a song here for almost every stage of life, from first love to renewed love to mid-life crisis. The album is so solid, it's impossible to pick a best song, but several tracks stand out. "Macchu Picchu" and "Ordinary Day" feature soaring vocals, powerful harmonies and great guitar. "I Couldn't Love You More Than This" may be the most tender of the album's many love songs, but listen closely to "Give Me Your Kiss" for some Morrissey-like weirdness amidst all the romance. Actually, you should listen to all the songs. Then when you are done, burn yourself a second copy, because if you like inspired music with perfect vocals and folk music's universal beauty, you will wear out Spun long before a second album comes along.
Tracie Vida, Rambles.net
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"I've tried to write music that was inevitable, that could not be denied. I want the listener to feel like these songs have always existed. I listened almost exclusively to the Beatles for the first 11 years of my life. The rest of my influences are no great mystery - I think they're lots of other people's influences too: the Beach Boys, Bob Dylan, James Taylor, a little Bruce, Paul Simon, some Joni Mitchell - Carol King amazes me. I guess I'm also a product of the singing groups I've been a part of throughout my life. First church choirs, then later, a cappella groups. For me, it's all about harmony and the sound of the human voice. I play in NY clubs with my band. We mainly do The Bitter End and the Mercury Lounge." Jim Kremens
Spun was released on Evangeline Recorded Works in Europe placing Jim Kremens among an elite roster of songwriters including Graham Parker and Loudon Wainwright III. The album has received excellent critical recognition, including:
"...it's all instantly memorable and, it has to be said, likeable... a near perfect collection of folk-tinged pop songs for the summer and beyond... Kremens manages to sound evocative without being sentimental... the whole album is a real delight to listen to from beginning to end... While some records leave you crawling around looking for the killer track, Kremens' almost leaves you suffocated by them... - americana-uk"
"As debut albums go, American singer-songwriter Jim Kremens' 'Spun' is arguably one of the most impressive you'll hear this year... the closing pair of tracks 'Macchu Picchu' and 'Denied' are just so good that you wonder why Kremens didn't use them as the album's openers" - Classic Rock Magazine, UK
reviews
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wonderful stuff
author: patrickwarm and beautiful, keep it coming
Simply beautiful.
author: ladyvegThe entire CD is beautiful. I get chills from some of the harmonies; "Ordinary Day" and "Miracle" are my favorite examples of stunning use of backup vocals. Jim Kremens has a beautiful, smooth voice, and his singing is flawless. I'm just a music lover, not a professional reviewer, so I'm not giving this CD justice. Just buy it :-)
One of the best "chick" songs ever....
author: Lucas HungadungaI'm still absorbing the rest of the CD, but "Give me your kiss" is up there with the best Lennon/McCartney love odes, Ben Fold's "Luckiest", Dave Frishberg's "And You Are There", Tom Wait's version of "Somewhere", .... I bought the CD for just the one song, but am thrilled to discover Kremens is far from a one hit wonder. (If anyone deserves a big record deal in the US....)
What an awesome artist, talented and so gifted.
author: Kari CliveThis CD is awesome, I could listen to it over and over again, and I DO! My brother of the Colgate 13 recommended this artist and CD, and was he ever RIGHT! Thanks for giving of your talent.
A big tribute to the art of songwriting
author: Erik BjorgumDon't be fooled by the front cover. Looks like a long haired lover from Liverpool goes Gothic :) It contains something totally different. This is a amazing collection of great singing and songwriting. So refreshingly quite and strong. Buy this one!
His music brings a tear to your eye
author: Huge FanEach song becomes your favorite as you listen to this CD. You can't believe it'll get better and then it does. The amazing thing about Spun is that it gets better with use...I love it more now than I did when I first got it. Particular favorites are Juliana, Give Me Your Kiss and I Couldn't Love You More Than This and Denied....buy it now. SO worth the $.
You want this CD . . .
author: John JacobThis CD captures intelligent music from a great heart. The complex harmonies are some of the best I have heard in quite a long time. With a voice that is distinct yet familiar, this CD reaches in and grabs a hold real quick. If you have the chance to see Jim live, I wouldn't miss it. If you don't have such a chance, buy this album.
- author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby
By the way, if you're looking for the perfect love song, check out, "Give Me Your Kiss." This guy has the elegance of Sting only with more restrained passion. If there was ever a love song to make a girl melt, this is it. It's the kind of song that will make you confess your deepest secrets. Causes one to shudder.. in a good way. I'm smitten.
- author: Tamara Turner, CD Baby
With breathy, smoky charm, that beautiful spark underneath the crusty old, tattered surface, this is some of the most gorgeous, dusky, americana-tinged folk and alt country-informed folky pop to be found. Jim has an inspired knack for honing in on the perfect song- graceful structure, fluid but distinctive melody and harmonies, occasionally Beatles-esque, that relax those muscles you never knew you had. With compressed passion in his voice, a gut-twisting intensity digging into the resonance and warmth that sings out as well, his songs buoy on the collective experience of humanity, the very sentiments that are common to every beating heart.