Victor Krummenacher Bittersweet (CD)

(Magnetic) 11 tracks, digisleeve

On his new, heartfelt album “Bittersweet”, Victor Krummenacher tells it like it is, like it should be and like it never was. In his third (and best) solo album to date, Victor Krummenacher, co-founder of Camper Van Beethoven and Monks of Doom, takes to the stage with his best friends around him and his heart on his sleeve. This work of love lost and found shows Krummenacher at his best, with eleven tales of matters of the heart that range from country ballads so sweet they melt in your mouth like grandma's cherry pie to intense folk-rock and pop songs that frame Krummenacher's strong songwriting and authoritative vocals with an engaging sound that is rich and polished, but never cluttered.
In creating this finely tuned sound, he is aided by Chris Xefos, co-producer and former bassist for King Missile, who sat in the control room during the year-long recording sessions that resulted in Bittersweet. Xefos adds his own impassioned voice, soulful bass and fine guitar and keyboard work to Krummenacher's superb acoustic, electric, baritone and bass guitar stylings, expanding the texture and varying the tone with a sympathetic touch that stems from their years on tour and in the studio. Those who like music with rough edges will find Xefos' production subtle and sophisticated, skillfully mixing sitar, optigan and other oddities with the obligatory guitar plucking and the like. Fans of Graham Parsons, Sparklehorse, Richard Thompson and Buckner will equally appreciate the blend of tradition and experimentation that is Bittersweet.
Bittersweet's guest list reads like a who's who of the West Coast's most interesting musicians: Dave Alvin (The Blasters, X, The Knitters) plays lead guitar on the resonant title track, and Carrie Akre (Goodness/The Rockfords) contributes her power pop vocals; Carla Bozulich (Geraldine Fibbers/Scarnella) shares a beautiful, tender waltz duet with Krummenacher on “Maybe A True Love.” Alison Faith Levy (Loud Family) contributes her excellent piano playing and strong voice to several tracks, notably “Blind” and the atmospheric fireworks of “Rocket Fuel”. Bruce Kaphan (American Music Club) contributes top-notch pedal steel guitar throughout and also mixed the album. Doug Hilsinger (Waycross, Bomb) supports with guitar and pedal steel, Dave Immerglück (Counting Crows) plays electric sitar and Steve Perrone (Planet Seven) plays a fine 12-string guitar. LD Beghtol (Flare/The Magnetic Fields) sings in the background. The “Hoe-down” is rounded off by long-time comrade-in-arms Jonathan Segel, who is also a former Camper Van Beethoven and provides the atmosphere with his violin and harmonium.