"Dutch born but Colorado based musician Kramies, has been concocting his brand of intimate and heartfelt songs for quite some time now, and it’s a trend he has continued with as per his latest Hidden Shoal single; ‘The Fate That Never Favoured Us’.

Having opened for such heavyweight indie acts like Spiritualized, Grandaddy, Yo La Tengo, Calexico, Stereolab, the Dirty Three and the Red House Painters in the past, it’s easy to reflect on where Kramies’ immediate influences stem from.

The track was produced by Jason Lytle of Grandaddy fame, who had also worked his desk magic for Kramies’ 2013 EP; The Wooden Heart. It is also worth noting that his debut release on Hidden Shoal, 2011’s The European EP, was produced and engineered by Todd Tobias (Guided By Voices and Robert Pollard)

With its opening spectral like synth-scapes, combining with Kramies delicately strummed acoustic guitar and tender vocal delivery, there is an obvious semblance to Lytle’s former band, as well as a nod to the Flaming Lips, throughout the number.

It is not a track that will lighten up your forlorn mood anytime soon, as Kramies laments rather perilously; “Its best to be alone/You would say/To bide some time/As the wind takes your memory/Out to sea/Far from me”.

However it is the way in which he crafts this sombre and personal testimonial, that coerces you back for repeat listens."

- <a title="Crackling Vinyl" href="https://cracklingvinyl.wordpress.com/2015/04/13/single-review-kramies-the-fate-that-never-favoured-us/" target="_blank"><strong>Crackling Vinyl</strong></a>