Reviews (page 2 of 6)
This is, unfortunately, something I really enjoy. Should it be on this list? Probably not? Do I kinda love it? Yeah. This is exactly the kind of music I’d expect someone from Wilkes-Barre to make after hanging out in the desert for too long.
8/10 Canción destacada: Shiver
Dreamy 4.25
I’m a sucker for the alt/folk/country sound, and I really enjoyed this. The music was really good. The vocals are probably the divisive part here, but it was fine for me. Would listen again.
I was pleasantly surprised by this. Not what I expected and just enough different styles that it wasn’t too navel-gazy.
A complete 180 from my last album (SOAD's debut) and quite lovely. I have to admit, I'm a sucker for Alt-Country, as this is that, but just a bit weirder. There is dissonance mixed with occasional electronic burbling, fiddles, slow paced melancholy and a hearty sense of peeking behind the curtain. Best Tracks: Punishing Sun; Temptation of Egg; Shiver
Really enjoyed this
Never heard of 'em. Really like 'em. Kinda like Mark Lanegan and Jonathan Donehue had a weird Americana-ish love album. With some of that Rev weirdness.
I enjoyed this one. Which was a surprise after I read the reviews. It’s a very chilled out album. And it does border on dull. But kept me interested all the way through.
Solid 2000s indie rock
This album didn't impress me early, but by golly it kinda grew on me. I stopped at the end of the normal album, before the 5000 bonus tracks. I just didn't have that much free time. But the regular portion of the album is actually kinda cool 3.6/5
I've never heard of Giant Sand before, but apparently the prime songwriter is quite prolific. However, I always wonder about records like this, especially with bare bones Wikipedia pages, how influential or groundbreaking could they be? Is this another early 2000s alt-rock with a country influence, with touches of studio experimentation that always gets lauded by critics? Yes. Is it essential? I don't know, but it is a style and sound that I'm particular to liking, and there were a bunch of moments that stuck with me and make me want to revisit.
Unknown to me beforehand, good find
Omg wie geil. 4-5. sexy 90s aura
I’d never heard of Giant Sand before, but I thought this was pretty good. I’m not a fan of the raspy, delicate vocals here, but I was able to get past that and enjoy the musical elements here. The album was a sort of mashup of sounds from genres like country, grunge, alt-rock, and folk, but it all came together into a cohesive, creatively ambitious, and admirable piece of work. Probably not something I will listen to all that often, though.
ganz interessant eigentlich
at first, was alarmed at the number of tracks... but give a run through and it has some ephemeral magic to it. a musicians album.
I really liked this! Maybe I needed this vibe to fit my current melancholic mood, but I think this deserves more praise than it gets.
Perhaps one of the more obscure selections on this list, Giant Sand/Howe Gelb is not a band/guy that I hear too much about. That scene of music in Arizona in general doesn't get enough attention compared to other music scenes of America. Twin Cities Minnesota is a smaller are in population but have much more documented history than the variety of weird music that comes from the desert. Shout out to a band probably not on this list: Yawning Man. Kind of easy to just summarize the band as an Arizona/Southwestern version of Silver Jews or a softer Pavement or "Wilco-esque" but I strive to avoid cliches as much as I can. Chore of Enchantment has an interesting variety of sound on the album, perhaps not to the level that Calexico's Feast of Wire surprised me by. Something like "Satellite" is stylistically different from the rest of the album's more indie/alt-country dominant sound. X-tra Wide, Temptation of Egg and Astonished (In Memphis) were other highlights for me in ways that I felt too lazy to transition that last sentence to this one. That indie/slacker sounding stuff isn't much for me, though I dig the alt-country/southwestern sound influence. I'd prefer something like Silver Jews or Calexico, but this album definitely would scratch those that like that sort of music (I guess Calexico is less lyrics-focused than previous bands mentioned in comparison). Not quite sure how this album landed on the list, by streams alone it appears to be one of the least-heard albums on the list. But I think its uniqueness within the genre is worth noting, it's a bit more than it looks and seemingly not (if you know that Wilco/Silver Jews sound) at the same time. Overall as an album: not bad. Not necessarily a legendary or otherwise phenomenal album, but kind of an album that experience is like side-eying something modestly interesting from a long road trip, and that being one of the core memories of the trip that your brain, for one reason or another, just can't shake off. Not in a negative sense, but because brains are fucking weird and hard to control many times, sometimes, for people.
Loved this album! Have always heard of this band but just never bumped into them. Very conversational singing style, very down. You can hear nods to Neil Young, Lou Reed, and touched from contemporaries like J. Mascis.
Country fried alternative
7.5/10 Best songs: (Well) Dusted, Wolfy, Satellite Although I've never heard of this band before (unusual since I'm fairly well-versed in music from this genre and time), apparently they later turned into Calexico, who I AM familiar with. The album has a very toned-down, nearly but not quite acoustic vibe, with heavy country/folk influence. Music and lyrics alike are quite understated. I understand how people could find this album dull - it lacks very many peaks and valleys and overstays its welcome, but I quite like it.
I'm a fan of a lot of Calexico's work, and listened to the somewhat obscure one-off Calexico/Giant Sand/Lisa Germano collaboration OP8 for a bit, so this is right down my aisle and I enjoy this album's vibe. I'm honestly not that sure this belongs on this list, but I'll allow it, given I enjoy it which is more than what I can say about a lot of the other albums that shouldn't necessarily be in this list.
Ich fands teilweise ganz angenehm, schönes easy listening.
Never heard of these folks. Weird, atmospheric, laid back. I liked it. Tonally it reminds me of the soundtrack to "Until the End of the World" which I was just listening to earlier today, strangely enough.
An unexpected treat. There's parts of it which remind me of Morphine, but it's very much its own thing. Surprisingly tender at times but avoids edging towards saccharine. Will have to delve more into their other albums.
This was actually a pretty good listen, a pleasant surprise. I've got to stop peaking at the reviews before I listen to an album myself! Though it's a good album, I have a hard time believing this is one of the 1001 albums I absolutely MUST hear.
4/5
Mijn Brabantse luistermaat omschreef dit als "mompelrock met fluisterinvloeden" en dat omvat wel een groot gedeelte. Af en toe pakken ze nog uit met een bak gekke geluidjes, wat van mij niet had gehoeven. Ik merk dat ik er niet heel veel over te melden heb, omdat ik het lastig te plaatsen vind. Ik kan even geen goede vergelijkingen met andere bands of artiesten bedenken. Dus laat ik het maar bij of ik het leuk vind om te luisteren. En dat antwoord is: ja, toch wel. Het is wel chill verder, de gekke dingen storen me niet al te veel. 3,5 ster.
I liked this. It was melancholic and esoteric. It has a Lou Reed kind of vibe to it. It is albums like this that keep me coming back to this list. I doubt I would have heard this any other way. Is it patchy? Sure, but I still enjoyed it.
Very interesting
The first song made me think I was going to really hate this album, but it grew on me as it went, and I ended up really enjoying it. Definitely a fair few songs that could have been cut, but some really interesting and beautiful ones in there too.
This is a pretty cool sounding album, it's decently written and is just some good alt rock
I have 1 Giant Sand record in my collection - Ballad of a Thin Line Man. I haven't played it for years. I should have played it more often. This is eclectic and excellent. It has awakened a desire for more Howe Gelb in my life.
An endearing and intimate collection of seemingly tossed-off Americana, desert rock, campfire songs and just plain weird notebook folk sketches. Bandleader Howe Gelb, who comes off as a charismatic sun-fried eccentric, gives these songs plenty of room to breathe and settle. Standout tracks include “Bottom Line Man,” which sounds like a Tom Waits song, and the noisy “Satellite.”
I had never heard this band and was pleasantly surprised. Very similar vibe to Bill Callahan/Smog.
Len Houmous once locked himself away for 4 days when we were holidaying in Gran Canaria. He took too much acid during a small Saharan Sand Storm - he was convinced it was full of giant sand. Like hail sized grains of sand. It’s when he actually wrote Sandstorm for Dario G. 3.7 13/16 Satellite
honestly, I really liked this one. it was raw, it was weird, and it was what I needed in my late night grind.
I did not know this, It is a very nice discovery. A mix between folk and trio hop. Listened to it twice. 4 stars.
Interesting band, I'd not heard of them before and a lot of their previous albums don't have Wikipedia articles. Which is maybe an unfair barometer of stature, but it gives you an idea This album is very mellow, with the subtle instrumentation and baritone whispered vocals creating a very chilled vibe. I found when I listened closely they were songs I could get lost in, the rhythm section is unspectacular but creates a nice groove that allows the listener to just float along with the music.
Somewhere between Andrew Bird and Beck? Oddly compelling stuff
Mislim da je ovo zadnji gelbov s calexicom kao ritam sekcijom. Vrlo je beckovski zapravo kao i dosta od tih kantautorske albuma s kraja devedesetih
This might be my favourite type of album to receive on here. Something completely unknown, but which a lot of people seem to be slating. The expectations are low, but you come to realise almost right away that it's just full of surprises and invention, and totally go with it. The first song is so moody, with that undercurrent of strings, and a sitar? It works! Throughout the album there's discordant noises, scuzzy guitars, piano, sound effects, industrial soundscapes, operatic moments.. Parts of it sound like they could be on a film score. The thing I really appreciate about the music is that it never seems to take the obvious route. Even something like the addition of piano.. it has it's unique sound. It's a bit off-key maybe, but it works. I'm not put off by his voice as some others are. It's a very deliberate approach, and it works for the songs. Taking something like "Raw" as an example, it's really quite effective in setting that sombre tone, and it helps to build real atmosphere and mood. I listened to it twice through, and that may have been too much in one sitting to be honest, but I remain pretty impressed by this! 4.5 rounded down.
I also think this album is underrated. Maybe not 5* like some others are rating it. But I think it deserves some credit. It's got a Leonard Cohen meets Lou Reed meets Bright Eyes meets Butthole Surfers meets The Pixies with a touch of Country and Shoegazing. I don't know how that's possible, but it's definitely a weird vibe and has a strong garage quality to it. I fee like only the TRUE lovers-of-all-genres will appreciate this. But the music is good, vocals are nice, and whoever the bass player is... I hope he or she has become famous, because for me that is the best, most consistent trait across the whole album.
Soo good. Unique unlike anything I’ve ever heard before. Just a few songs that don’t fit. Otherwise would 100% be a 5/5. Three songs are just basic and boring but the first like 7 are unlike anything I’ve ever heard unfortunately went on for too long and those three songs didn’t fit, but if it weren’t for that this would be the best album I’ve ever listened to.
Parfois, ce projet des 1001 albums, ça ressemble à une putain de corvée. Une liste sans fin, une montagne de disques à gravir, et de temps en temps, on tombe sur un album qui nous regarde droit dans les yeux et nous dit : "Ouais, je sais ce que c'est, la corvée. J'en suis une. Mais une corvée enchantée." Et là, tu sais que tu tiens un truc spécial, "Chore of Enchantment", rien que le titre, c'est un poème, une profession de foi. Giant Sand c'est Howe Gelb et pour ceux qui, comme moi, ont passé une partie de leur jeunesse à fouiller dans les bacs de disques indépendants, ce nom est une vieille connaissance. Une sorte de totem du désert, le parrain d'une scène alt-country qui n'en était pas vraiment une car trop bizarre, trop dégingandé, trop libre pour n'être qu'une simple étiquette. Et cet album, "Chore of Enchantment" est souvent considéré comme son chef-d'oeuvre et pour cause, car c'est un disque qui porte en lui les cicatrices de sa propre création, une création qui fut un véritable enfer, un disque maudit qui a failli ne jamais voir le jour. Gelb l'a enregistré, ré-enregistré, perdu les bandes, l'a mis de côté, y est revenu… C'est un processus qui s'est étalé sur plusieurs années, une véritable odyssée chaotique. Et au milieu de ce chaos, le drame : la mort de son ami et collaborateur de longue date, le guitariste Rainer Ptacek, qui plane comme une ombre bienveillante et tragique sur l'ensemble de l'oeuvre. Mais "Chore of Enchantment" n'est pas un album de deuil larmoyant, non. C'est bien plus complexe, c'est un disque sur la persévérance, sur la beauté qu'on trouve dans la douleur, sur l'obligation de continuer quand tout s'effondre. C'est une corvée, de vivre, de créer, d'aimer, mais ça peut être un enchantement. Le titre, encore et toujours. Musicalement, c'est du pur Giant Sand, mais en version panoramique, presque cinématographique. On a ce son poussiéreux, ce rock du désert qui sent le sable chaud et le bitume craquelé. On passe d'une ballade folk déglinguée à une embardée quasi-punk, d'un murmure lo-fi à une orchestration quasi-luxuriante. Il y a des guitares acoustiques qui pleurent, des pianos de saloon désaccordés, des cordes qui déchirent le coeur, et des éclats de larsens qui te rappellent que sous la poussière du désert, le chaos n'est jamais loin. Howe Gelb, lui est au sommet de son art avec sa voix, ce filet fatigué et pourtant si expressif, qui te raconte des histoires de doutes, d'amour, de perte, de rédemption. Il ne chante pas, il converse avec ses démons. Et c'est là toute la force de l'album. Il ne cherche pas à impressionner, il cherche à toucher. Il y a une humanité folle qui se dégage de chaque sillon, une vulnérabilité qui te prend aux tripes. Cet album c'est le son de l'intégrité, le son d'un type qui n'a jamais cherché à faire des tubes, mais simplement à faire sa musique. "Chore of Enchantment" n'est pas un disque facile, il est long, dense, parfois il prend des chemins de traverse et on se demande où il veut nous emmener. Il faut lui donner du temps, le laisser s'installer, infuser. C'est un disque qui se mérite. On évite ici le détail de chaque morceau, ce serait un sacrilège. Il faut le prendre comme un bloc, un monolithe érodé par le vent et le chagrin. On y croise des invités, comme Juliana Hatfield, dont la voix vient apporter une touche de douceur fragile au milieu de ce paysage aride. Chaque intervention semble juste, nécessaire car ici rien n'est gratuit. Ce qui est fascinant, c'est que malgré le contexte tragique, ce n'est pas un album plombant. Il est mélancolique, oui, profondément mais il y a une lumière qui perce, une sorte d'acceptation, de résilience. C'est la beauté des choses imparfaites, des vies cabossées. C'est le son d'un type qui continue de jouer de la musique sur le porche de sa maison alors que le monde autour de lui part en couilles. Pour un amateur de la frange la plus rêche du rock américain, cet album est une évidence. C'est un disque frère, un cousin éloigné qui vit dans un autre État mais avec qui on partage le même sang. C'est le genre de disque qui te réconcilie avec la musique car dans un monde de produits formatés, il te rappelle que l'art peut naître de la douleur, du désordre, des accidents de la vie. Il est la preuve que les plus belles oeuvres sont souvent les plus fêlées, celles qui laissent passer la lumière. À l'heure où je coche les cases de cette liste des 1001 albums, celui-ci s'impose comme une pièce maîtresse. Pas une de ces évidences commerciales et consensuelles, non. Une de ces évidences intimes, profondes, qui parlent directement à l'âme de ceux qui ont toujours cherché dans la musique autre chose qu'un simple bruit de fond. C'est un disque qui demande un effort, une "corvée", c'est certain. L'enchantement n'est pas systématique, il faut aller le chercher, le débusquer entre les fêlures et les moments d'égarement. Ce n'est pas un chef-d'oeuvre parfait, mais c'est un disque immensément important, et c'est déjà beaucoup. C'est un disque essentiel, mais pas un sans-faute. Un 4 sur 5, pour l'effort, pour l'honnêteté, et pour les moments de pure magie arrachés à la douleur.
Good
Very cool. Definitely dug it
I liked this a lot, good dreary indie/alt-country. Maybe needed an editor because it goes on a bit but overall strong stuff.
New to me, and went in blind, and really enjoyed. Not groundbreaking maybe - there's been a lot of this kind of stuff over the last 30 years, and even just from the Marks I can hear echoes of Mark Linkous, Mark Lanegan and Mark Everett - but it's stuff I like, and there are some lovely songs along the way. 3.8
Ok, I actually really like this! It's part noise, part ASMR, part poetry, part emo. I shouldn't like it, but for some reason I do.
Never heard of this band before. Really enjoyed the record.
Nice
Mellow interesting album - not heard of them before this - reminded me a little of the eels
Good
This record has a very cool vibe that I'm very much into. It sometimes feels like a Mr. Bungle album that's been turned down from an 11 to a 6. I wish the wiki article had more than 4 curt sentences to say about the album, but overall I kind of dug it and would interested in revisiting again down the road. 3.75/5
Far more interesting than I expected, will investigate further
Et sted i nærheten av sånt æ har hørt på før, men likevel ikke nokka æ har vært borti – sannsynligvis fordi æ langs veien svingte mer i retning kvinnelige artister og feminister. På wikipedia så æ at Juliana Hatfield hadde bakgrunnsvokal på den ene sangen, ho har æ ikke hørt på på lenge, så det frista med en gjenlytt, får se om det skjer en dag.
This was a journey. At the start of "Overture" I almost just skipped the whole album, but I hung on and then googled if the lead singer was Shawn Mullins, he isn't but I still like it
Something like this can pack an emotional punch ala Elliott Smith or Silver Jews. A lot of this is very good in that regard. Not everything works, and it is a little too long, which means it loses some of that impact, but it is overall very good.
Chore of Enchantment suffers from little variation in mood and tempo, with an abundance of tracks that lull you to sleep. Songs like Raw feel less like a reprieve and more like a drag when you're already half-meditating. And I usually love chill music and slow-building tension. Satellite stands out in this album, not because it's necessarily better, but because it offers something different in a sea of samey songs. Take (almost) any song here separately, and it's really good. Some instrumental parts are refreshingly original. But after listening to Chore of Enchantment straight through once, I don’t think I’ll revisit the full experience anytime soon, even though I adore some tracks, the band’s sound, their poetry, and their experimentation. It leaves the impression of a 3-hour album instead of a 1-hour one. This enchantment is too potent to cast regularly. That said, I’ll definitely return to select songs and remix versions.
Pretty cool tbh. Weeeeird first song but it recovers well.
I like Calexico when they're being Calexico, but I've always ignored Giant Sand. Howe Gelb is an engaging enough singer- and it's got that southwest vibe- good stuff.
"Chore of Enchantment" is the 15th album by American musical group Giant Sand. They're from Tucson, AZ so that name makes sense. Alternative rock and folk rock are the Wiki-listed genres. Yeah, they fit. They had an all-star producer line-up of John Parish, Jim Dickinson and Kevin Salem. The core bandmembers were Howe Gelb (guitar, piano, vocals), John Convertino (drums) and Joey Burns (bass, cello, guitar, backing vocals). There were 19 other musical contributors including Julianna Hatfield on backing vocals. The album has favorable reviews. The first song with vocals is "(Well) Dusted (For the Millennium)." Pounding drums, a bass and Gelb whispering. A very sparse arrangement. A cello. I think of David Berman immediately. "Temptation of Egg" has an electric guitar, an easy beat and Juliana Hatfield on backing vocals. The organ gives this a funky edge. Gelb describes in a roundabout way of why he's attracted to women. In "Wolfy," Gelb's voice is noticeably weary in a bluesy song. "Shiver" has an acoustic guitar melody and folk-country vibe. There's a slide guitar, banjo, mellotron and organ. Nice imagery with shivers and the desert. An operatic opening leads to pounding drums, a rattling noise and loud guitar in "Satellite." The mostly rockin' song on the album and he also mentions Leonard Nimoy and Leonard Cohen in the same sentence. The majority of this album has sparse music either in the folk or bluesy style. I had a tough time enjoying this the first time through but really started to like it more with repeated listening, especially the melody. Gelb's vocals are weary, strained and at low volume. The lyrics are more stream of consciousness and observations than storytelling. I guess an apt motif for desert living imagery. The songs had nice uses of additional instruments like the slide guitar, cello, mellotron and piano. This music really reminded of David Berman and his music with the Silver Jews and Purple Mountain. Overall, I don't think is an album for everyone but if you like folk or David Berman, it's an album to check out. Burns and Convertino went on to form Calexico and they have some interesting music.
Very nice surprise. I loved the lo-fi sound, the understated vocals, and the tinny guitar sounds. Sounded like the guy was barely singing but still had some good melodies and a flexible voice. Definitely a hidden gem I would never have found without this project. They add up!
Fijn, beetje wacky, wel relaxed.
Really dark, mysterious alt-country that sounds a lot like Will Oldham or Vic Chesnutt. I got on its eerie vibe.
Never heard of! Was not prepared to like it but I was surprised. It was a chore of enchantment. Low vibe musings as you go about your day. 4 stars for this.
A bit experimental, but otherwise a pretty decent thing of folk rock. Solid 4 Stars.
Didn’t initially like this one but I enjoyed it after the first few tracks. Listened through twice and both times I started off not liking it and ended up thinking this was an album I might add to my rotation. Really enjoyed the mix of genres and the different instruments that get used. Also really liked the style of the singing. Fav song: Shiver - I also liked Temptation of Egg, Raw, Astonished (in Memphis) and Bottom Line Man Least fav: (Well) Dusted - shame it’s so early in the album because it made me think I wouldn’t like the album.
No conocía al grupo pero oye, disco sólido, aunque demasiado largo
I often love these eclectic albums that throw in everything but the kitchen sink, but my first impression of this one was that it felt a little too hipster/millenial for my taste. The Wikipedia entry with almost no information on it just confirmed my suspicisions that this was likely a flavor of the month debut album in some music magazines and soon forgotten, aside from an additional to the list. But curiosity got the better of me and I looked into who Giant Sand is. So it was fairly perplexing to realize that the lead singer was born in 1956 and had been playing music since the 70s. The band had been together since 1985, making proto-grunge music, and this was the band's 16th album. So intrigued, I tried to give it another chance with open ears and I can definitely say that it grew on me a lot. It's another weird and wonderful album that just took some time to make sense. It's definitely a hidden gem in the indie rock scene.
Hyvin tuotettu, hienot torvet, kiinnostava artisti
Comfy. This one was long, but didn't feel like it.
(Well) Dusted
8/10
I really enjoyed the last few songs, but it dragged getting there. Some good songs and happy to have tried this album. :)
I feel... conflicted about this one because it has half of the album being so up my lane (moody alt rock with a country influence is winning for me sometimes) I almost thought I had a new favorite, but the other half being straight up country wasn't my favorite thing. Still, even if its all over the place, the songs are great and so is the singing, maybe a forgotten gem I'll have to listen to it more though
This was def interesting, chores of enhancments is one of those albus that carves a unique sound and space for me. Giant sand seems to be able to seamlessly transition between genres and flows giving a sense of music mastery. The album flows well too. I don't see myself revisting this too often but something about it , probably its uniqueness) makes me very glad to have heard it
Cool to see a Thrill Jockey release on this list. I had never listened to Giant Sand before, but based on it's label, I figured it'd be interesting and cool enough and it was. Really enjoyed this, listened to it a couple times.
It felt a little meh at first, but it quickly grew on me. I think I'd like to listen again reading along with the lyrics, it feels like the kind of vibe I might really like. It reminds me a bit of Leonard Cohen.
it's s subtly great record
Reminded me a bit of Lou Reed at times.
Nice surprise
Pleasant listening.
In my older age, I've grown impatient with most, if not all that surrounds me, music included. The music that used to bring me joy, is boring. It tries too hard, is too show-y or attempts to rebuild and improve the past. Sure, my mental state may sound like 'depression,' but I'm calling it old age. Giant Sand, includes a mild bit of reminiscence from the days I used to listen to Calexico, and I don't think anyone would accuse this band of trying too hard to impress. The slow tempo, and muted vocals and gimickless production make Chore of Enchantment make for an enjoyable album. This is the introverted, standing along the sidelines, house in the woods, music that I've been needing but unwilling to look for. Great find.
Another one I am a little torn on. I had never heard of this and I would say overall it was a pleasant surprise. This feels like a rainy day album to me. Both literally and figuratively to be honest. The tracks that are good are REALLY to my taste but it goes on a little long and there are some stinkers on there too. Would have benefitted greatly from some paring down. If it had been it actually could have been a 5 star contender for me, or at least a 4.5. As is I'm waffling between a 3 and a 4. I'm going to round up to the 4 because I do think this is the perfect album for the right mood, just need to skip a few songs maybe.
From one perspective there isn't much on this album. And in the same time this fascinating album that hit some nice vibe moment in me.
Smog by way of Thrill Jockey Records was not something i knew existed, or that i needed it so much. "Chore of Enchantment" keeps in low gear with its eclecticism, always surprising you when something like a trip hop beat or a sample of an old movie pops in or a mellotron comes in on one of the tracks. my only real complaint is the horrible mouth smacking intro on "Temptation of Egg". alongside this, "Raw" feels less raw and more underbaked, a good idea that could have been a great song but never develops with ornamentation like the other tracks do. otherwise, all the little experimental flourishes feel at home here, introducing itself as a warm friend before walking right out the door. what a delightful variety of reunions.
It took me e a while to figure out how to rate this album. I kept trying a few distracted listen attempts but I was never able to get a handle on the album as a piece until I sat down gave it my full attention. Since I have it as a 4 sided double album in vinyl I'll rate it in that way....side 1 is brilliant singer-songwriter fare that goes from bluesy to folky to even a touch funk. Side 2 starts off in the same and reaches the album's zenith with Shiver a beautiful country rock ballad that swings with beauty and grace. Things go kinda sideways from there rest of side 2 and side 3 are mostly forgettable. Side 4 is better but mostly because we revisit the earlier stronger songs with alternate takes of Dusted and Shiver. Overall a fine album with some beautiful poignant songs if it were a single album it might merit 5, but as is 4 stars
Elements of Sparklehorse to this Doesn’t quite have that magic though but it’s an interesting lo-fi Americana sound that I’m keen to listen to again
👌🏿
4/5
Interessanter Indiesound der gefällt, aber irgendwann auch etwas gar relaxt wirkt.
An alright album, I liked Overture and Way to End the Day.
That was completely unknown to me, not just the album but the band as well. It was absolutely delightful, listened to it three times today.
I like this a lot. Getting Lou Reed vibes tho less dark, Germanic sleaze and more sunny, desert vibes.
A curious mix of Lou Reed, Wilco and Neil Young that I had never heard or even heard of, but ended up enjoying very much. I will be listening to more Giant Sand.
Great!
This sounds like it would be the soundtrack of an indie film with a cult following
Wasn’t too much of a chore, really enjoyed the chill vibe of this. Especially the song with rain in the background
yfirleitt hægt alt-köntrí. minnir á tweedy og þess háttar. er frekar gott. ég vil meira.
interesting
Pretty good. Kinda reminds me of Beck
Right up my alley but I don't know if this is something I will revisit. The atmosphere is great, as well as the production. Everything has it's place nothing feels too busy.
- War mir bisher gänzlich unbekannt - Ich stehe wie an der ein oder anderen Stelle ja schonmal erwähnt auf so ziemlich alle Country Subgenres. Alternative Country und Americana stehen dabei ganz weit Oben auf meiner Liste. Auf diesem Album ist beides wunderschön vereint!! - Der Dude hat eine ziemlich coole, laidback Surfer Stimme. - Insgesamt alles sehr entspannt - Wunderbare Sonntagsmucke Rating: 3,75-4/5
- kam überraschend, dass das ein so geiles Album ist - abwechslungsreich, kreativ - hat einfach Bock gemacht
I had never heard of this band before. They are pretty good. I will be listening to more of their albums.
I really like his voice, and how low and crackly it is. The sparse instrumentation compliments it well and knows exactly when to jump in and out. I'll have to explore them more.
This is somewhere between Wovenhand and Silver Jews and isn’t bad, but is not as good as those other bands.
I actually really enjoyed this one... Musically really kept me interested. The vocals were really not to my liking, but actually worked with the feel of the music but as the album. The latter half of the album is what really sold me on it as a whole "Dirty as The Rain" stuck me as a left of center Van Zandt tune. The solo on "No Reply" just soars, but my favorite song on the album is "Satellite". It's dirty groove really pulled me in from the start I'm starting this off at an (8.15) ★★★★ with room to grow on me.
I like that they kind of build off an Americana sound, but end up in a place that isn't what you'd typically associate with an Americana/Alt-County artist. At times, it's reminiscent of what I like about Meat Puppets II, but it's a more modern, less abrasive, more eclectic version of it. My favorite tracks are "(Well) Dusted (For the Millennium)", "Raw", "Shiver", "Astonished (In Memphis)" and "Satellite". 4.5
If you'd told me the guys out of Calexico were in a different band in the 90s and doing Lou Reed-style alt-country, this is, to be fair, the exact album I'd imagine. Luckily, I like all the words in that sentence.
dusty. baked. crafted. resonant. wise.
Not sure I would seek this out to listen to, but if I saw it used on vinyl I may be tempted to pick it up. It’s got a good Tom Waits like feel to it.
Never heard of these and really enjoyed it mostly. Reminded me of Bill Callahan that we had recently, or maybe even Elliott Smith in parts??? Either way, its pretty up my street. Spotify took me to a 2 hour version of the album, which kinda grated on me though. Shiver was my favourite. I reckon I'll be back
Oddly interesting.
More interesting and enjoyable than I anticipated. Not quite sure it belongs on this list but has a better claim than many other things I've listened to.
4.0
Very good this one Nice and chilled
I had not heard of this album nor Giant Sand prior to this, although I do like several of the “similar artists”. I gave this three listens front to back and as I expected, it’s a grower that requires multiple listens. It reminds me at various times of Wilco, Beck, and especially Menomena and Lambchop. The highlight for me is Shiver, but there isn’t a bad song on the album. It’s another great gem found through this project.
This was a stunning discovery. Never heard of before. Loved it. Touches of Calexico. Better. Moments of great beauty to revisit.
Great! Good sound!
I actually really liked this. I can’t justify five stars, but I did enjoy it.
Un album intime que j'ai eu de la difficulté à situer dans une époque. Une bulle hors du temps.
Definitely unique. Nothing stuck with me long term, but it's something different for sure.
No idea what to expect for this album. Sand makes me think of Sandstorm so could be electronic for all I know. Well it isn't DaRude. It is more songwriter alternative? It has kind of an interesting feel to it that I can't quite pinpoint yet. Some songs seem to push into the southern style but not particularly country. The lyrics seem to have a bit of cleverness and/or sarcasm to them and I'd liked to have more time to go through them. Some songs had kind of a poetry feel too, and it just sounds like a guy just making what he wants to make for the fun of it, and not really caring about anything commercial or radio. I like the vibe of this album. It feels like something I could make if I was going to put together an album. Favorite track "No reply" 3.5/5
Notable tracks: (Well) Dusted, X-Tra Wide, Temptation of Egg, Satellite
Totally missed this band and album. On one listen I will certainly be listening more. Ticks a lot of boxes for what I like, particularly idiosyncratic vocals.
I had never heard of this. I like it a lot but I don't understand why it's on this list
I liked most of this one #insight
interesting chill album - rock was unique. Would like to listen more.
Als je graag Pixies, Nirvana en Smashing Pumpkins zou luisteren maar je kunt absoluut niet tegen herrie dan is dit een redelijk alternatief met een experimenteel randje en een aardige stoot blues en country erbij. Dat een track als 'Satellite' wel wat naar herrie neigt moet je maar even op de koop toe nemen. Ook voor mensen die Nick Cave iets te depressief vinden of Bob Dylan te verschrikkelijk vinden gorgelen. Ik luister deze op maandag en daar past het wel bij. Mompelrock met fluisterinvloeden. Dermate hipsterig dat het zo uit 2019 zou kunnen komen. Het slaat eigenlijk nergens op, maar ik hou hier wel van. Ik ga hem misschien nog wel vaker aanzetten. Een snobkeuze (met gemiddeld ongeveer 40k streams per nummer), maar ik vermaak me ermee. Ideale muziek om een shot heroïne bij te zetten, denk ik. Tof geheel. Hoge 4.
Original and well crafted
Yeah this is my sort of thing I think
A very mellow album for the summer
When I saw that this was a 60 minute long rock album, I dreaded it. However, I was pleasantly surprised. This kind of reminded me of Pete Yorn's musicforthemorningafter, which came out a year later. I do think this album is too long...it felt somewhat repetitive. I think it could have been better had it been more concise. I'd consider listening to this again. More of a 3.5 but I'll round up.
Had a cool quirky vibe kinda like Eel
Unique sound
Very easy to like, not fantastic but solid.
gut!!!!!!!
Soothing
This was surprising and enjoyable. His voice kept reminding me of late Lou Reed.
Who ARE these guys?!!? Why have I never heard this before. There are a lot of elements involved with this recording that I enjoy, each song has a hook that pulls me in, I'm really enjoying this. 4 stars for surprise delight!
Surprisingly good. Starting to get some nice stuff now
Strano ma l'ho ascoltato tutto
As the album was still getting on its feet I was feeling as though this would be on the more dry side of alt-country; one that can be hard to sludge through without some endurance. However, the album picked up some speed a little bit in and stayed rather good throughout, with a lot of Neil Young influence to keep you entertained, and a surprise or two in the form of noisy tracks to keep you on your toes. As much from the era, its far too bloated, and I could see this being repetitive for some, as it does keep a general tone that can feel flat all in a row, but if you let the album take you places, its really good at being something rather pretty, and I'd even argue has some of that melancholic feel that Leonard Cohen presents, although its not as captivating lyrically as Cohen. Overall, a solid record that I'm glad I spent time listening to.
Good but too long
a fun grab bag of late 90's sounds.
I really liked this one. It was a blend of a lot of cool artists. There were definitely some Ben Harper guitar tones at times, a little bit of Phish vibes, and - for some reason - the singer's voice reminded me of the guy from Cake. It was a fun exercise is trying to figure out who they sound like and then realizing that they created a pretty unique sound. I'll definitely come back to this one.
Has a good groove and some variety. For the Lou Reed haters I guess I could see why they wouldn’t like it but hey I like Lou Reed.
New band for me. Enjoyable.
I liked it more than expected. Had not heard it before. Where was I in 2000? Ah, grad school. What else did I miss?
I don't know what's wrong with me. I just like folk music I guess, something about this is so alluring to me. Sounds like a lesser version of Bill Calahan which I loved. 7/10
I'm a little worried by the Wikipedia page on this that it might be my least favorite genre on this list, "NME-core", but I'll give it a chance. Sounds like it might be a bit weirder than the run-of-the-mill brit-pop alt-rock sound at least. Oh never mind this is a lot better than that first impression. I am much more on board with weird americana/alt-country! Vocals are reminding me a lot of Yo La Tengo around this time. I feel like "X-tra Wide" could have come right off a YLT record, title and all. I see a lot of reviews on here hating on this vocal style, I don't mind it all so far! Yea, I liked this a lot. Very different than a lot of the other stuff on this list. Solid 4 stars.
I enjoyed this. Never heard of them before. Gives me a modern Lou Reed kind of feel. I'd like to check out some other albums.
Thought it was interesting. Reminded me of lou reed and the kind vibey chill talk music
Enjoyed the instrumentation and vibe of this album.
Actually really enjoyed this one. Never heard of this group, and it sort of reminds me of a mix of Tom Waits, Lou Reed, and maybe some other acts as well. But you blend those styles up with some rock music and even some cowboy-country kind of music, you get a pretty great album out of it. It's funny how some of these lesser-known, British albums end up being more appealing to me than some of the albums from the big artists on here like Tom Waits, David Bowie, whoever else. This one is really cool. Favorite tracks: Well Dusted, X-tra Wide, Temptation of Egg, Astonished, Shrine. Album art: For some reason the cover on this site is a shot of two people holding a marriage license? It doesn't even look real, and it's not that on wikipedia or apple music. Instead, the cover I'm seeing is a stitching of two photos of a blue room, with some lights strung up and a drumset in the next room. Really, really cool cover, the colors are excellent, just a great photography piece and the effect of the two images overlapping is really nice. Love this one. 4/5
Reminds me a lot of Morphine. They have some interesting songs and lyrics. I like the delivery of the singer, will definitely pay a revisit.
What an amazing listen. Never heard of these guys before this project. Sign me up! I think this was great. 4/5
Quirky and a little different. Particularly like X-Tra Wide and Shiver
now normally i'm not the kind of guy who listens to country, but this ain't your normal country album. usually i grow tired and miserable over the more mainstream genres of country but this is a real... true country vibe that somehow works. i feel like i'm in a trailer park smoking a cigarette. a generally solid and lengthy collection of bassy, throaty vocals, classy sampling goodness, lamentful atmospheres and really artistic compositions.
4.5 + Howe Gelb and Giant Sand are of a handful of opening bands I've seen that ended up completely upstaging the headlining act. I caught them when they were touring with PJ Harvey in 2000 at the Olympia in Paris. Gelb slayed on guitar - he was shredding so hard his hat fell off his head. After the show, I went to the merch table and paid, I think, $5 for this very CD and I've loved it ever since. "Temptation of Egg" might contain my favorite lyrics in music ("I wake up with something in my eye / I pull out one of your lashes / I like the way you stuck in my eye / I like the way my eye stashes"). There are many amazing songs on here delivered with an uncannily casual sense of subtle poignancy. See also: "Shiver", "Astonished (In Memphis)", "Satellite."
12/20/23. First time hearing Giant Sand, and what a nice, relaxing album. Each song flowed into each other really well, and the vocals are Lou Reed like. Would definitely recommend this one and listen again.
Ok, it was chill
A really nostalgic album, with a strong dusty feel on it. Bit of bloat though.
Good surprise.
As I started this, I wasn't too impressed. It seemed okay, but I wasn't digging the singing style. But the more I listened, the more I really got into this. By the end I was leaning toward three stars, then I listened to it again. Then I listened to it a third time. I just love it. Some really beautiful songs. I will listen to this more, and check out their other material as well. 4 stars.
First listen Alt Rock Standouts: Punishing Sun, Raw, Shiver, Dirty From The Rain, Astonished (In Memphis), No Reply, Bottom Line Man, Way to End The Day 3.5
Well, what a nice surprise. It’s been months since this list last surprised me. A full 90’s alternative beautiful and creative sound. This was really great even if too long
Intriguing!
Nice chill album. I haven't listened to them before. Very good for relaxing, but far from boring.
Hasn't GS had a hard enough time already without being dropped from this esteemed list? Isn't their particular brand of weirdness – as well as related and adjacent styles of oddity – so underappreciated in the broader culture as to merit ongoing conclusion? It's easy to understand why GS is an acquired taste – lack of tunefulness, refusal to rock, the lyrical obliqueness ("You can get Leonard Nimoy to play ther part of Leonard Cohen"), persistent melancholia, intermittent eerieness, the found-sound feel and overall irresolution. But when it works, the vibe-y results feel just spot on, "Punishing Sun" and "Shiver" and "X-tra Wide" being most prominent examples. Much that floats and drifts is lovely and even compelling (see "Raw" and "Shrine" and many moments within other cuts), with backing-vocal flourishes adding depth and shade. Still, for all the likable off-beatness and evocative off-kilteredness, one's not convinced this is the most worthy record. Rounding up for the original and awesome atmospherics and influence (thinking of early Wilco, Luna, Bill Callahan and peers-in-underratedness Yo La Tengo), but mostly because they – or Howe – are deserving of every last bit they can get.
Giant sand has all the makings of becoming one of my favorite bands, I need to spend more time with them.
etwas merkwürdig, fühlt sich etwas wie Nirvana an mit einem höheren Anspruch und gelegentlichen Reisen in Oper und Jazz. Ein bisschen wie black country new road. Beim ersten höheren gab es keine Sichtlichen highlights, aber auch keine lowlights. Ich kann mir vorstellen das häufiger zu höheren.
I really did like this. I wish I listened to the album at a cottage..not at the gym lol
American Guitar and a couple of piano songs, atmospheric. Really liked this album at the time, but it did not strike me as a stand-out Giant Sand album - they just made a lot of strong albums over the years. Listening to it again, I still like it a lot, Well Dusted for the Millennium and Satellite are the 5-star songs. Score: 8/10 (close to 5*)
Good lo-fi alt.country album. Didn't realize it had been re-released with a new cover. Also didn't realise that was a Juliana Hatfield backing vocal. Not heard it for years to it was nice to re-listen.
This is one of those albums that begs to be listened to again for all the stuff I missed the first time today. Although it was new to me, it has a great and familiar sound that I appreciated. A good discovery for me.
This album was pretty good, and brand new to me. Who is Giant Sand? The musical style and variety made the album a fun listen. I wasn't always as thrilled with vocal stylings. I don't know exactly how to describe it...maybe excessive breathiness from time to time?? I don't know...something just rubbed me the wrong way on some tracks.
Giant Sand offers up not so much of a chore but a genuinely consistent record that stays well within its lane of roots indebted country rock. While intimidating in song output (sixteen in its standard and another fourteen bonus tracks), there is plenty of gems to uncover while wading through the album. Enchanting? Well, it sure is. Favorites: (Well) Dusted, Punishing Sun, X-Tra Wide, Raw, Wolfy, Shiver, Dirty From the Rain, Astonished (in Memphis), Satellite, Rock Opera, Hard on Things, Punishing Sun (in Tucson), Music Arcade, Catapult, Dilemma.
They sound like a cross between PJ Harvey and Lou Reed but this is just the starting point. They wander around to a number of strange places stylistically and it really works. Now the two hour version on Spotify is too much but the original album is right sized.
I had never heard of this album or even the band. I enjoyed this quite a lot, though (though perhaps it's a little long, even if you stop after track 16, which is the end of the original studio version). I quite liked the singer's voice - it suited the music. Will give another listen at some point.
early morning rainy sleepy on the train vibes…really liked this one. unique sound. stand up bass meow meow!!
Jáááá, það tók mig nokkur lög að finna gírinn en svo er þetta bara drullufín plata.
1001 albums that have shaped the sound of modern music and also some that nobody has heard of and which are fine I guess.
7/10
Not bad, has some fun songs, but probably forgotten tomorrow
Chore of Enchantment by Giant Sand was completely new to me. I’d never heard of the band or the album before today, so I went into this with absolutely no idea what to expect. The album gets off to a really strong start with two excellent opening tracks, “(Well)-Dusted” and “Punishing Sun”. Both are quite subtle and understated, but there’s something about them that immediately draws you in. The mood, the sound and the songwriting all clicked straight away. There are some other really strong tracks on here too. “Satellite” stood out, and “Shiver” was a lovely song. At its best, the album has a warm, melancholic and thoughtful feel to it, with some really well-crafted songs. My only issue is that as the album goes on, a lot of the tracks start to blur into one another. The same moody, introspective sound runs through much of the record, which creates a nice atmosphere but can also make parts of it feel a little interchangeable. It’s clearly well made, but at times I found it drifting into the background a bit too much. Overall, I enjoyed this more than I expected. It’s a solid album with some genuinely great moments, even if it doesn’t quite maintain that early momentum all the way through. Favourite tracks: “(Well)-Dusted”, “Punishing Sun”, “Satellite” and “Shiver” Least favourite tracks: Nothing was bad, but some of the middle tracks felt a little samey Album artwork: Cool album cover
Decent whatever
No clue what this is doing here. I like the cover and there’s an air of mystical artistry about it but I've never heard of these guys and I'm not convinced this left any lasting impression on music. From first listen, I had it pegged as an album of dreary, middling Americana indie-alt-country but I was drawn in enough to listen again and liked it more the closer attention I paid. The vocalist likes to breathe in your ear which can be equally engaging and disconcerting but it seems to reveal itself in layers. Worth a bit more than a cursory listen but I still don't think it's a classic and not sure it really deserves its place.
Had never heard of Giant Sand or this album. Really liked it.
Fairly pleasant sounding throughout the whole album - can’t really pinpoint any specific favorites
The biggest drawback of the album is it‘s runtime (and i excluded the bonus tracks…). Otherwise this is some very relaxed country-tinged instrumentals with a sort of talk-singing over it. Sometimes the singing works for me, sometimes it doesn‘t. My highlights re Shiver and Dirty From The Rain, the latter bringing me close to tears. It‘s just too monotonous over its runtime, and although the opera-interludes bring some variation, they don‘t make sense to me in the context of the album.
finally sat down with Chore of Enchantment and it’s a really solid, atmospheric album. While listening I felt like I was drifting through a dusty, sun-baked desert landscape at dusk — hazy, slightly strange, and quietly beautiful. Howe Gelb and the band (including Joey Burns and John Convertino, who later formed Calexico) create this wonderful mix of alternative rock, twisted country, psychedelic folk, and lo-fi weirdness. It’s off-kilter but surprisingly cohesive, with scratchy guitars, warm melodies, poetic and impressionistic lyrics, and a very distinctive Tucson desert vibe. Some moments feel raw and intimate, others more produced and cinematic. It’s not flashy or immediate, but it has real character and depth. Many people consider this Giant Sand’s masterpiece, and I can see why — it feels like a high point for Howe Gelb’s songwriting and vision.
My first thoughts are this isn’t serious, not because it’s unpleasant, but just overall kind of goofy? It’s albums like this that make me think 1001 is just too many…
The Neil Young comparisons are spot on
I don't hate it
This reminded me very much of like Nick Cave or somebody like that. It was interesting but I probably wouldn't listen again.
Finding Giant Sand hard to judge. Had never heard of them before. It feels very casual and Howe Gelb being very comfortable with no pressure to give a show to the audience. I'm going a 3 but really not sure if it should be higher or lower.
Slightly long given the relaxed style - but I liked it - high 3
for our next contestant in “who will save rock and roll’s demise in the turn of the millennium”… yet they didnt deliver the generic energetic garage rock i was expecting but gave us some slacking and boring country influenced music. 2.5/5
This feels like it's a huge inspiration for bands like microphones and Sufjan Stevens, in that kind of whisper indie kind of style.
Busy yesterday, didn't have time to listen , caught up on it a few days later. Interesting.
Od ovih i objektivno i subjektivno dosadnih albuma jedan od onih koji su me manje smorili, ide među najzaboravljivije jedva trice.
Removed
Western tinged wandery rock
A hard one to decide upon. A band I have never heard of, yet who appear to have a prolific output, who sound similar to a range of artists I know and largely like (a little bit Eels, a little bit Lou Reed, even a little bit Del Amitri), who fuse atmospheric and mostly mid-tempo rock in 3-5 minute tracks, yet still feel a little incomplete. Definitely didn’t hate it, just not sure if I would revisit it.
Pretty good but didn’t leave much of an impact on me.
Pretty nice, little long.
Introspective shoe gaze . Does not quite do enough to keep me entertained - might of liked it more with a female singer - Kirsten Hirsch would kill this album.
3⭐️/5 05.24.2026
sure
un 3. no esta mal pero me duerme
Really like the feel to the music and the vibe. Love the Southwest feel. But Gelb’s delivery and voice totally ruin this album. Take out his voice and the stupid ArTsY pOeTiC lyrics and this could be a 4.
Never heard of them before. Have this pseudo Leonard Cohen whisper sing/talking thing. Super low key. Not really my style.
Wasn’t familiar with Giant Sand before this. The Lou Reed inspiration is pretty apparent. I dig the genuine, sultry, soft and dark feel to most of these alt country tracks. What I liked: Temptation Of Egg, Raw, Shrine 2.5 stars and rounding up
Didn’t really leave much of an impression on me. Listenable but not earth shattering
It was ok, didn’t blow my socks off but also was fine to listen to
I am in two minds about this album, from a band I have never heard of, I thought it was beautiful and felt very lo-fi/Lou Reed which I loved. But I am not sure I would explore other albums honestly so I couldn’t go higher than three. Times like this half points would be good..
Weird.
This album just seemed too time-consuming. I feel like this is not one to listen to top to bottom, but either bit by bit or just have songs from it in a playlist. There are very few albums I feel this way about, but this has to be one of them. Some of the songs just blended into eachothwer and sounded too similar, but there were a couple that stood out to me. Favourites: Dirty from the Rain Bottom Line Man (Well) Dusted
We all have albums tha we bought due to a recommendation but it never quite hit the mark. lambchops Nixon is a great example for me, and that experience kind of scared me off buying this at the time. And to be fair I wouldn’t have enjoyed it at the time. Too sparse, too weird, too Lou Reed. Now they are all the things I enjoy.
Some songs were really good. The lows were quite low too.
Interesting folk rock vibes. Good listening.
It was fine, but eh, it didn't really move me in one way or another. I'd rather be listening to Bill Calahan or Justin Molina.
Interesting indie rock, will return.
Pretty good, some whatever songs, some great songs
This is ok - nowhere near as bad as a lot of reviews have it. Vaguely Cohen-sequel alt-rock, but it’s not very exciting.
Idk what they’re trying to do
There is some good stuff in here but my god is it buried in some fluff
Woohoo! More weird stuff. Hooraay!! Yippee! I was half-expecting to read a Wikipedia entry that the singer of this album was linked to 6-15 missing women in the Tucson area because that's the general feel I get from this. There is a churning anxiety to this record that it is fascinatingly unsettling. I expected Foo Fighters lite but what I found was the catatonic mind of a psychopath set to to strange musical choices. Enchantment typically is such a chore, so I was happy to have somebody do it for me. Shame it was this medicated spree killer. Enchantment is enchantment I suppose. I don't know man, I think this one might get the revisitation. What are the visiting hours for the facility they keep this guy in anyway? 3.5 HIGHLIGHTS: Uhhhh hey look! It's that tophat guy from Thomas the Tank Engine!
I've had a run of classic albums. Nice to hear it. Someone I haven't heard of before. Pleasant enough
Sadly, church these days.
Perfectly fine background music
There were moments of this album which I really enjoyed and yet others that just passed me by. Perhaps I wasn't paying enough attention? Perhaps it didn't grab me and wasn't worthy of my attention? I think I need to revisit it, so may well amend this "review"
I like this album. Raw alt-rock which reminds me of Grandaddy's 'The Sophtware Slump', but not quite as interesting. Cool dark vibes and I enjoy the raw vocals... definitely a bit too long though, which brings it down from 4 stars to 3. 7/10
2.5
Seemed good in parts but slightly too off beat for me 3*
The lyrics are interesting enough to listen to this once, but like an audio-book, I can't imagine listening to it twice. 3 stars or C-.
I can't decide if I like this or not, definitely an album that takes some time to settle in. For now, some tracks were really promising, but I feel like the majority of the album never gets out of first gear. It was a decent listen overall, though.
Better than Coldplay
Forgot about this album... Mostly pleasant
Long album 2 hours
Eurb
1: Wolfy 2: X-tra Wide 3: Satellite
As a whole, this is pretty good. But with music like this, with such interesting compositions and arrangements, if you don't identify with much of the lyrics, it can leave the whole thing feeling that. That's the case here. A few songs that went on my liked list but moody just blended together. 3/5
It's odd but also pretty dull at times. It's Tom Waits-y. How you feel about that will determine how you feel about this.
Tried 4 or 5 times with this one but it just didn’t want to stick somehow! Not horrible but I just couldn’t get a handle on it.
Oddly weird
Interesting album that I feel would be rewarded with repeat listening. Very strong Lou Reed vibes. 3 star. Fave track. - punishing sun
I didn't mind this too much, but wouldn't revisit it again.
It took a few goes around to get into the album, but pnce i got there i was happy i perservered Will it be appearing frequent on my playlist? Probably not. But i wouldn't turn it off if it did
Bonny Prince Billy or Bill Callahan did this better. Check out Charlie Par. IDK, there are options. 30 tracks for 2 hours?! Damn it. This is ok, but definitely not a full album I want to listen to. Give me a couple of their top tracks and call it good. 2.5 rounding up (so generously) based on about 8 or 9 tracks.
kinda fuck with this, but its got male manipulator energy
I found this moody in a nice way for once instead of a whiny dragfest. It made me think of The Wallflowers which is maybe just saying it's a 90s sort of indie rock alternative whatever band? 3.5
That was just fine
🎧Kind of sounds like a less adventurous Lambchop. Souled American might be a better comp. Didn’t love it but appreciate the bold, obscure pick by Dimery!
"(Well) Dusted" sounded like a ripoff of "Six Blade Knife" by Dire Straits. That's as good as this album got. This wasn't a bad listen to at all. But it was so monotone that I had to go back and listen to some tracks because nothing stuck out as memorable. For some reason this band sounded like either a Lou Reed, or a Leonard Cohen cover band.
Enjoyed this, but found it a little one-paced, which made it kind of a chore to listen to all the way through.
Not bad, but too long and rather just listen to Smog
Mostly not exciting, although plenty listenable. I did enjoy "Way to End the Day", though, with the female backing vocals. And the overall mood of the track is great.
This list does throw up some "individual " choices. I'm quite familiar with the Americana/alt. country movement that Giant Sand is are a part of, and wouldn't have thought this was anything like a good representation, where's Uncle T. Guessing its Maybe the added tones of list favourites Lou Reed and Len Cohen type sounds that got it onto the list, as it's a fairly pleasant but nondescript record to these ears, , a pleasant enough sounding record but no tracks jump out nothing is memorable. It's just that damning middling, not bad or great to be of interest, Americana for those who dare not say country. 3 Star.
This is a good album, nothing more, nothing less. I wouldn’t say that you have to listen to it before you die, but there are certainly worse albums on the list.
This was fine.
Kinda weird but still cool
It's hard to be distinctive at this point in music history. I enjoyed this album well enough but it did seem quite derivative. Should give it another go in case I start to hear some actual innovation there.
I would have really liked this one if not for the “Lou Reedesque” vocals. As it is, I will give it three stars. Although the vocal style is not inappropriate for these songs, there is just too much of the tonelessness. Once again, another album spoiled for me by the vocals.
Chill and eclectic, which I dug while listening to but nothing stuck with me
This was fine! Not anything I'd seek out more of, but fine for getting going on a Monday morning
Somewhere between Leonard Cohen, Nick Cave, and Lou Reed fits Giant Sand...except not as interesting as any of them. This was fine, but not much stood out of the slow paced droning that fills a majority of this album. Probably won't revisit this.
made me realize that I am subjugating myself to listening to a man’s opinion for 1 hour and 57 minutes. enjoyed it nonetheless.
Yesterday I reviewed Lou Reed, and Giant Sand strike a very similar note, at least musically. However, Lou Reed was around 30 years earlier and was therefore something of a pioneer of his style. Giant Sand, on the other hand, take a different approach to individual songs, which makes “Chore of Enchantment” reasonably varied. Nevertheless, there are only a few moments that give an impression of inspiration, independent creativity, or even innovation. Overall, it's an unremarkable album.
A very subtle, low key set of music representing a diversity of musical styles and influences
Enjoyable listen. I really liked the beginning songs the best with the later slower songs not as enjoyable.
This was interesting. Really enjoyed parts of it. Overall a bit too slow and melancholy to repeat listen though.
Interesting With some highlights
Grew on me
Moody alt rock with mellow drawl and interesting instrumentation. Should remember to look up their other stuff
Flott
The album consists of songs most of which are standard boring singer songwriter stuff and some are more on the alt side with distorted guitars and noise. I liked the "alt" ones but the "normal" ones bored me to death
Teases you with a great first half but loses momentum and ends with a whimper
This is a pale imitation of American slowcore and it pains me. Bill Callahan could have had a record on this list instead, but all that said this particular record isn't terrible
I liked this for what it was which was kind of forgettable and kind of ambient. I played it at the gym and it passed them time. I should have saved some songs to relisten to because there were a few moments that made me happy to be listening.
This was ok, nothing really spectacular. The singer has the habit of falling in to the Bob Dylan style of TALKing liKE THIs instead of singing, which I really hate, but he can at least sing in some of the songs so it's not all bad. The whole thing was a nice sort of downtempo album for relaxing and thinking. The songwriting is pleasant and the instrumentation choices are largely good. It felt like more of a collection of related works more so than anything with a bag of obvious singles. In this case, that works, it's mostly a nice cohesive little (well, not so little) album. Some of the songs just go in to these floppy finishes for no reason, Wolfy was the worst offender for example. Lot of words for an average work.
Many of the songs felt the same to me, but I liked them.
A couple moments that caught my attention, but otherwise kinda boring. Am I broken?
Aging gen-x white dude music.
Never heard about this band or album before. It gives a “different” vibe, quite calm and easy but with many creative twists and turns. I quite like it as an easy listening/background experience. But I doubt I will go back to listen to it later.
Day 158 Hadn’t even heard of this band before, you can definitely tell they own more than one Velvet Underground album between them. Highlights Shiver No reply Satellite
This was a funky little album, can feel the desert listening to it.
Aight
This was a very interesting album. Not always my type of music but had some good songs. I think it would have made a really good single CD.
some cool stuff but nothing exceptional imo
Very melancholy kind of same-y from song to song
Enjoyed this listen, it felt pretty fresh and unique, if not a little understated.
A weird record, but one that I ended up quite enjoying. Very eerie, kind of like a super minimalist Nick Cave. Goes on a bit
Ok
This was disappointing because it was almost good. It had moments. But then... it wasn't.