"I found this CD years ago for pennies. And it's been a friend ever since, making me laugh and making me think all in one sitting. Chris' cover painting matches the emotional range of his writing, and the rasp of an untrained, yet perfectly natural singing voice. He makes it seem so easy that you'd think any regular joe could pull it off - and he has. Doing the unremarkable - running away from the sophomore release for whatever reason - just keeps me wanting more. It's nice to see that the CD is still available and that others might still stumble across Kowanko."
A Personal favorite
R. Treynor | Columbus, Ohio | 10/02/2001
(5 out of 5 stars)
"What a great album this is. Chris Kowanko's voice reminds me of..oh, if Jules Shear joined the Violent Femmes...something like that. Great songwriting here - the songs sound like a really really good Lou Reed album sung by the description above. Worth buying....I just noticed that Chris has resurfaced - a look at kowanko.com says that a new CD called "Spell" has been released."
Painting with words from a masculine perspective
Toby Grenz | Portage, MI United States | 10/18/2002
(5 out of 5 stars)
"This album did not have to grow on me. It became a favorite of mine even as I listened to it the very first time. Kowanko's thoughtful insights and stories here are poetic and cleverly set to unique, solid melodies. Each song is a complicated layering of intelligent lyrics and music. Kowanko has done this layering correctly which makes these songs progress in a seemingly simple manner. Sophisticated ballads and pop to rock sounds give this album a broad range of appeal. Fans of Joni Mitchell, Annie Lennox, Tom Petty will like this album."
Got it as a promo way back when & it still sounds REAL GOOD
Kevin M. Estis | Baltimore, Md. | 05/16/2009
(4 out of 5 stars)
"May be one of the best "no one ever heard of this guy" cd's from the 90's . Chris Kowanko, singer songwriter has an interesting voice, something like David Byrne's....but not as "out there" as Byrne can be. And in no way am I implying that Kowanko be compared with the Talking Heads.
Pretty decent pop/rock...but not overly pop-ish. Good back up band & vocals. Some songs are n the dreamy mellow side & some more up tempo. Arrangements feature piano, acoustic guitar & electric,bass, drums & some strings here and there,
I could see this disc getting airplay at a good progressive rock station, or college radio.
These 12 tracks are definitely worth more than the paltry amounts being asked for by sellers here on Amazon.