Here Comes the Light

by Kristie Stremel

Overview

Kansas City singer/songwriter Kristie Stremel has bounced around in various kinds of pop bands and worked on reasonably successful acoustic projects, but her second album gives you the definite feeling that rough, muscular country-rock is where she's always wanted to be, and now that she's there, you get the sense that she can barely contain her glee. Because no matter how heartbroken or bitter the lyrics (and frankly, they're not ever really that heartbroken or bitter), there's a completely infectious power and joy to her sound, and even when you wish the melodies would soar just a bit more, there's really no way to resist Stremel's sheer charisma. On her best and hookiest songs, like "Sweet Marie," that charisma feels like an enjoyable punch in the stomach. On her next to best ones, like the slightly more maudlin "Here Comes the Light" and a nice singalong called "Shimmer and Glow," she gets by on energy, strong lyrics, and exceptional accompaniment (check out that lead guitar work on "Here Comes the Light"). And when she covers Paul Westerberg, she infuses his laconic and fatalistic ruminations on romantic disappointment with a thoroughly charming cowpunk intensity. Stremel is one of those artists whose studio albums make you suspect you're missing most of the show by not catching her in a sweaty club somewhere, but this one is still a good place to start getting to know her. ~ Rick Anderson

Product Details

Release Date:	07/01/2003
Label:	Slewfoot
UPC:	0809812081227

Tracks

1. Fade
2. Shimmer and Glow
3. Sweet Marie
4. Here Comes the Light
5. Radio
6. Waiting for Somebody
7. Circles
8. It's a Country Song
9. Move Me
10. Starbeams

Album Credits

Performance Credits

Kristie Stremel   Primary Artist,Guitar,Vocals
D. Clinton Thompson   Guitar
Joe Terry   Piano,Wurlitzer,Organ (Hammond)
Lou Whitney   Bass
Wayne Sutton   Guitar
Lloyd Hicks   Drums
Mike Meyers   Drums
Steve Newman   Guitar
Patrice Pike   Vocals (Background)

Technical Credits

Kay Whitney   Photography
Lou Whitney   Composer,Producer
Randy Kling   Mastering
Kristie Stremel   Composer,Producer
Paul Westerberg   Composer