I’m a Baal Teshuvah
2001 Jewish Heavy Metal Music Prod.
http://www.cdfreedom.com/pesachchaim
I’m A Baal Teshuvah is the first release for this Brooklyn, NY musician, formerly of Children of the Name. The music is electric guitar based with shedding riffs and solos. Most songs are in a minor key. Drums are fast and pounding. Most of the tracks are on the long side, clocking in at six to eight minutes.
Chaim’s vocals are wobbly, echoey and for many tracks off key and off beat. Half singing and half spoken word, the lyrics are all in English except for Hebrew and Yiddish terms. Sample lyrics include: "When you're thinking of that/Cute shiksha or shaygetz/Just learn Chumach with Rashi/Learn Chumash with Rashi/Learn Chumash with Rashi!."
The confessional, almost liberating title track has a relaxing, spacey, new age feel. The same goes for the Intro, Outro and the instrumental Dreamthoughts. All instruments are performed by Chaim.
The album was verbally approved by Rabbi Dovid Feinstein, son of the famous Rabbi Moshe Feinstein who, according to the liner notes said the album was very "original". "With a smile on his face, he also said he liked it."
