GIANT SAND
Chore Of Enchantment (Thrill Jockey)
Reviewed by John Sekerka

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Forget desert island classics, this is a desert classic, period. Without fail Howe Gelb continues to release Arizona landscape albums on a yearly basis. Good ones too. The revolving door of characters that has passed for Giant Sand in the past, is whittled down to the core trio of Gelb, John Convertino and Joey Burns (Calexico to those in the know), though as is tradition, folks tend to drop in and lend a hand. The result is a about as focused as a recording as the Sand has ever accomplished, while music meandering is still in the fore. Gelb's raspy whisper delivery compliments the usual tumbleweed folk ballads to a tee, and it also does the trick when the boys stray from the half speed, back porch path that is their forté. Heart wrenching, old timey tunes about punishing suns, high isolation and moons that don't quit, played with exquisite understatement. This listening experience is a powerful one, and one you oughta dig up.

© 2001 - John Sekerka