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"From Paradise To Here" CD Review from Rick's
Cafe - Written by Rick Tvedt
If paradise can be defined in musical
terms as the adolescent coming-of-age of rock when technology
didn’t exceed the performances and when innocence was tempered
with bold exploration, then for rock ‘n’ roll it hasn’t been all
that far to here. Crimson Vim’s debut recording will transport
you instantly to the days of vinyl: the late sixtiesearly seventies
marriage of pop melody with fuzztone guitar.
Some of these melodies will sound a bit
familiar but so will the marriage of funk, rock and soul to which
Crimson Vim pays homage. The mix is a bit muddy but damn if it
doesn’t sound just like those old platters we used to stack on
a spindle and spin. The only thing missing, really, is the scratching
sound of the needle cutting the groove. The liner notes don’t
mention it, but if "From Paradise to Here" wasn’t recorded on analog,
I’ll become the India rubber man, bend over and kiss my own ass.
The centerpiece of Crimson Vim’s sound is the vocals of Erik
Kjelland. Strong, smooth and soulful, Kjelland, who also plays
with Fallen Roadies, is expressive in his delivery. Shades of
Rod Evans (Deep Purple’s original singer think “Kentucky Woman”
and “Hush”) can be heard and a host of others from the same era,
no doubt. Chad Thompson, formerly with Green Situation and Minglewood,
turns in an exceptional performance on lead guitar, recycling
every great guitar tone and style from rock’s golden era. The
slide guitar on “Nothing Left But You” is exhilarating and the
wah on “Lanes” drives home the neopsychedelic overtones. “Hands
on my Face” is another solid track that demonstrates Kjelland’s
vocal range and control, while the instrumental in the middle
section builds nicely.
Not all the songs are of the same caliber and, as with most CDs,
there are perhaps a track or two too many. “What If,” for example,
feels like the obligatory valley, a ballad that is a bit too simple,
although played well. A couple of the last tracks, however, sound
as if they may have come from a different recording session altogether.
On “Stew,” Crimson Vim suddenly has a bit more modern sound and
approach. The vocal mix until that point uses nearly the same
reverb which adds to the throwback feel, but here they begin to
change it up a bit. The music begins to have a sharper edge, losing
some of the breezy feel of the CD’s earlier tracks. “High Walls,”
the album’s closer, is a heavy, Zeppelin-esque piece of mood rock
that showcases the tightness of the rhythm section.
From Paradise to Here may not grab you right away but with a
couple of repeated listenings you begin to appreciate the album
for what it is: not a groundbreaker and not a re-hasher, but an
honest and competent homage to the true elements of rock and what
makes it so enduring.
Review of the February 17, 2006 "From Paradise To Here"
CD Release Party at the Annex in Madison,
WI, by Clownboy of the WI Bands Tour
CRIMSON VIM was just plain awesome.
I would have not thought it possible but this band got even tighter
since the last time I saw them. They were playing several songs
from their new CD that I bought. Brad, the drummer just blows
me away everytime I see them. Brad plays with such power yet
still stays smooth and doesnt over play is role in the band.
I was very impressed with the guitar sounds by Chad. Great pedal
& slide work. I never really noticed that before. I really
like the new CD "From Paradise To Here"...
Review of the February 17, 2006 "From Paradise To Here"
CD Release Party at the Annex in Madison,
WI, by Zoidberg of LocalSounds.com
Now I've never seen these guys, and I had no idea what to expect, but I left no where near
disappointed. A very tight group of musicians who work well together. They put on an
incredible performance and I think they couldn't have done a better job to release
their new CD.
Review of the June 10, 2005 show at the
Annex in Madison, WI, by the Live Music Source
Crimson Vim headlined the show. Wow! Absolutely
worth seeing. These guys are tight and talented! The originals
had me up and ready to rock, and then they pulled off War Pigs....and
can I just say...once again...WOW! Outstanding job of covering
this song. I have heard a few bands do it and this was by far
the best rendition I have heard yet. Crimson Vim has energy, charisma,
and loads of talent. A very polished band that I would gladly
see again and again!
Review of the June 10, 2005 show at the
Annex in Madison, WI, by Clownboy of the WI Bands Tour
CRIMSON VIM was great. Very powerful band
and very tight. The drummer was just BANGIN back there!!
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