Chore of Enchantment

Giant Sand – Chore of Enchantment (2000) On Day 294, this record ended a long streak of solid listens with an absolute dud a completely forgettable, aggressively mid session that fully earned a bottom-tier rating. The vocals were thoroughly lazy, relying on a disengaged, mumbling delivery that carried zero weight or melodic appeal. The production felt equally careless, throwing three different producers and a scattershot mess of dry desert sounds, loose acoustics, and jarring fuzz against the wall just to see what would stick. Rather than creating an evocative Southwestern atmosphere, the album meandered with no sense of structural payoff or focus. A genuine chore to sit through. A flat 1/5.

meh

flüster folk schon ok c

Moody and decent album. I don't have anything more to say. 😑

The album started off pretty cool, but later I regretted not taking a nap instead. 2 stars

It's not bad but it's just so boring. The singers voice is just so bland. It's like if you had some nice roast chicken and you go in for a bite and realise it's unseasoned.

Very nick cave. Not a good thing

First thought- Two fuckin' hours!? That's a chore alright. I've seen Howe Gelb live, not sure I'm up for two hours of that on a studio album. First couple of songs are grabbing me though, that's good! It's got its ups and downs. Some I really liked, some I skipped. There's 40 minutes of a great album here.

2.5

es ist okay das album

Unfortunately a mostly accurate title

So boring and way too long

It wasn't cool when Tom Waits did it either. The musical arrangement is great, but the singer/talker guy just isn't it for me.

3/5. Rare case where I’ve never heard of the album or artist at all before going into my record of the day on here which is always exciting. And this one was a solid time! It very much wears its influences on its sleeves, the slacker-rock/alt-country stylings of artists like Silver Jews is all over this thing (though the frontman of this band lacks the lyricism and wit of David Berman.) but there’s some good songs on here that feel appropriate for a lazy morning like “Astonished (In Memphis)” with its laid back guitar outro or the more rocking “Satellite.” Not among the best albums in this style but I was still glad to discover this one.

The straight forward folk rock stuff here is kind of boring, but there are times when this album gets weird and more experimental and I like those moments more.

For the first few songs of this album, it felt like pleasant yet kind of boring alt-folk. Then "1972" came on and it all changed. That song was more "alternative rock" sounding. It's a quick song and then "Temptation of Egg" came on and I was totally won over. How gloriously bizarre! It's more alt-rock sounding again, a female voice pops out of nowhere, there are industrial mechanical sounds a in the background along with a whole bunch of sounds I can't identify, and the lyrics are totally surreal. The next song, "Raw," is probably my favorite. It's another weird one, but mostly just the singer and a piano. It has lyrics like "The beat up tin I'd like to call my car / Would deliver me and all to only a lonely bar / And I would ponder this disease like a peeling onion skin striptease / And I would live to let it win / When I was raw / When I was wrong." Working through that, trying to get some meaning from it, felt like brain yoga. Relaxing, yet stretching the boundaries. I thought the next two songs were okay, and then there was another really good one: "Dirty from the Rain." Most of what follows is that less-interest alt-folk thing that started off the album. If this were an EP of my favorite 5 or 6 songs, I'd give it full marks. But as an hour-long album, with half the songs kinda boring and the other half remarkably strange and thought-provoking? 3 stars. I'd be happy to listen to more from Giant Sand, though. I'd never even heard of them before this project and I'm glad this album is a part of it.

Not exciting for me personally

A third of the album title was accurate. Top track: "X-Tra Wide"

fuck this shit. 1

--Overture...overture --(Well) Dusted (For the Millennium)...kind of a Tom Waits thing --Punishing Sun...minimalist Americana. not bad but I don't think I can take a full hour of this --X-Tra Wide... maybe this guy could try actually singing --1972...some noise rock --Temptation of Egg...holy shit dude, would you stop mumble-whispering and just sing something? the production is cool --Raw...heavy sigh. it is pretty but I find the front man's disinterested vocals, well, uninteresting --Wolfy...we switch things up with a trip-hop beat. Howe Gelb even does some actual singing! some --Shiver...radio-friendly slide guitar tune --Dirty from the Rain...the whisper-singing complements the guitar tone nicely here --Astonished (In Memphis)...bored (in my living room) --No Reply...give me the Beatles' "No Reply" --Satellite...seven minutes of noise rock. yay --Bottom Line Man...piano is nice, I guess --Way to End the Day...the title means this is the last track, right? it's not. --Shrine...I think we're done here

A couple of years ago, I was listening to Guy Garvey’s show on BBC 6 Music. I love Sunday afternoons: sitting around the kitchen table, reading the Guardian, chilling out with the dogs, and listening to some great curated music on the radio. I discover so much new music through 6 Music. A lot of the Sunday presenters in particular happen to have very similar musical tastes to me, so I’m ready with that Shazam button on my phone’s homescreen when I’m listening. That’s how “Temptation of Egg” ended up on my Shazam playlist on Spotify. It was the first song that Guy Garvey played on his show that morning, and I had to know what the hell I’d just listened to. It’s a simple, jazzy melody, predominantly just a fragmented keyboard riff, with a woman’s soft vocals being offset by a gruff male voice. And then, out of nowhere, all of the crazy noises start to happen. It sounds like a glitchy Kaoss pad is attacking the song, akin to something Jonny Greenwood would play towards the end of “Go To Sleep”. It’s absolutely nutty and I love it. That last sentence sums up the rest of the album too. It starts with operatic singing that quickly descends into synth and random sound effects. Dark acoustic tones, dissonance, white noise, wonky warbling synth, strings, metal, distortion and so much more are all thrown at us without warning. It's impossible to guess what's next, and Giant Sand seem completely unconcerned with settling on one single musical direction. Howie Gelb’s voice brings the one bit of consistency in the album. His vocals are minimalist, almost spoken-word, sitting somewhere between Leonard Cohen and Bill Callahan. In a way, the lo-fi messiness and artistic irreverence reminds me of Pavement, if they were more into country than rock.

Not my thing, pretty boring.

I was concerned when I saw 16 songs, but some are mere moments. I have some Giant Sand songs - “Temptation of Egg,” on which Julianna Hatfield’s voice is a nice touch, “Raw,” and bonus tack “Hard on Things” are songs I downloaded when iPods were around. I enjoy their weird, quiet, western type sound. However, I admit it’s not for everyone. I like “Dusted” but some were too stripped down for the quiet voice. “X-Tra Wide” lyrics amused me. “1972” is a punkish, little palate cleanser. “Wolfy”’s slinky beat drew me in. The opera bits were a surprise. “Satellite” was a welcome borderline headbanger.

I really didn’t like this one. Quite annoying and not as interesting as it thinks it is. Functional alt folk rock but annoying about ir

There really isn’t much to commend about this record. I’d hoped for another gem, but…

Kuuntelin töissä mutta loppui työpäivä kesken :D

To describe this as unremarkable would be overselling it. What the hell?

I completely relate to the comment I saw that called this a "chore of listening". Another entry on this list that makes no sense why it's included. At least the music is listenable and has some structure but super uninspiring vocals.

I heard these lyrics - "I count the staining gum spots; if you connect those dots they spell your name" - but I thought "gum" was another word. I was ready to give 1 star from this lyric alone. I'm glad I double checked before I rated.

Just a bit dull and boring for me.

Not to my taste.

heard some nick cave, wilco, yo la tengo, even B52s???? favorites were Punishing Sun, Shiver, Dirty from the Rain, and Bottom Line Man. Dirty from the Rain and Bottom Line Man were so tender! Wish the rest of the album was more like those. I found the first half of the album pretty boring, liked the second half a lot more.

so boring

Rather good - lots of subtleties; some great lyrics. A grower.

Enjoyed this much more than i expected. Lou Reed doing experimentsl country.

A little weird for the sake of it, but I saw the appeal pop through every once in a while. Would not relisten but didn’t hate myself

Fucking hell MAKE AN EFFORT. Obviously better than Pink fucking Floyd but suuuuper lazy stuff.

Sort of like Wilco crossed with the curse from Sleeping Beauty that puts you unconscious for 1,000 years But in, like, kind of a neat way, maybe

I mean, it's okay, and while I don't fully understand its place on this list, the consistent, gloomy, run-down country-rock sound is at least semi-enjoyable. I do wish the songs were more fleshed out; I can't really recall a single memorable track. Semi-memorable moments, yes, but everything just blends into one another, especially near the middle. The main issue for me is the monotonous vocals that sit somewhere between Lou Reed and Bill Callahan, but without the character that makes those two so great. And this thing just feels so slow and spacey, which is usually fine, but the sonic palette and instrumentation here weren't super engaging. That's just a roundabout way of saying this was definitely too long and boring; it makes me not want to dive into the lyrics as much as maybe I should. If I had to name a favourite track, it'd be 'Shiver'; it feels like the most singular track here, a decent acoustic-driven alt rock cut with some solid vocals. I just don't understand the placement here; it's a sort of an energy killer with very little to latch on to. The worst part is there were so many better indie acts that were completely left off this list.

Another reason why more and more this list should have been 101. This is in the 900+ that don't need to be here. 1.0

Nineteen seventy-one Nineteen seventy-two Nineteen seventy- ...Nope

This is what dissociation sounds like

Dá sa to počúvať, ale ničím výnimočným to nie je...

Meh, it was boring

ok

There are too many songs. And they tend to go on and on. Very tiresome. Reminds me of Sparklehorse somehow but it's not in the same league by any measure. There is very little to enjoy on this album. 2/5

Dullsville, Arizona.

Actually pretty good, quiet indy music.

2/5

Kinda alright.

I enjoyed this one but I only listened to track 16 since that's what the wiki shows as the original album.

1 star It is the musical equivalent of listening to a hipster talk about the reasons they love going to Burning Man every year. It’s insufferable and I couldn’t wait for it to end.

No

Interesting album with really good lyrics but a sort of dry vocal delivery. The music is really good and probably my favorite part of the album since the vocals are a bit odd. Never heard them before today and I can kind of see why. Seems kind of niche and artsy. I did enjoy listening to this despite some criticism.

Almost interesting

A lot of variety, and most of it is pretty good! But why's it gotta be so long 😭

Some interesting parts, but nothing too crazy. 2.5 rounded up to 3.

Extremely good. Silver Jews-y (Silver Jewish?) songs abound. Right in my wheelhouse.

Interesting, but probably won't listen again

You can't put "Chore" in the title and then sing like that. It's not bad but I do want it to end. 2.5/5

Seriously, 2 hours of this.

Very enjoyable without ever grabbing me. Shiver was the clear standout for me. Felt like a bunch of deep cuts on albums from other bands I'd like. Good vibes, but not standout songs.

I definitely get why Mr. 1001 Guy likes this record, but I'd rather have a different Country-ish Alt-Rock artist on this list like The Drive-By Truckers or Songs: Ohia. These guys sound like a few other artists on this list but the singer has a slightly more pronounced southern accent. There are a few great songs, especially when they totally diverge from the main sound of the album on songs like Satellite or the opener, but as a whole it gets an "I guess." from me.

This was pretty solid and very chill. Good stuff.

I don't know why these people get so much hate.

Jag gillade nog detta mer än jag först trodde. Det är en genre som jag ändå uppskattar. Det saknas kanske någon riktigt wow-låt. Men ändå tillräckligt behagligt och njutbart. Har lyssnat rätt mycket, vilket är ett gott tecken.

Душевно )

This Wilco/Drive by Truckers adjacent down tempo indie is from a past time where mysterious and minimalist music was unique. Now its just aggravating. So sloppy, lazy and kind of unimaginative. Theres some charm with the acoustic melodies and instrumentals. But that breathy art douche voice is agonizing. And squanders any clout.

Rather boring, lots of noise for the sake of noise.

3/10 - very mediocre, just not my thing

Another 3.5 elevated to 4. Sounds like Beck or They Might Be Giants or POTUSA trying to do a rock Massive Attack album, or Trip Hop in general.

Not necessarily a 5 star album but grow up review bros, Howe Gelb rules and is an interesting addition to the list.

This is the closest we get to Lisa Germano on the list, right? This is just kind of okay alt-country, but I'm feeling particularly generous because they collaborated with Lisa, and because I really liked that collab album.

this album had zero personality

We can all admit that this was a bit strange. When the lead started “singing” I instantly thought of Shawn Mullins’ Lullaby (well, parts of it anyway) and Lou Reed. Which isn’t really the best. But there were parts of this which were oddly intriguing. The ends of a lot of the songs were so offbeat it left me wondering what they were hoping to accomplish. So I left this thinking it wasn’t fantastic, but it did keep my interest. Which is more than I can say for some of the records on this list.

i cant

No thank you do not do this

Started ok and quickly got worse

Boring

Good album! Very diverse and i like that. There is no song like the ones that came before! Respect

Like if Leonard Cohen/Tom Waits were in a Silver Jews-like indie folk band. Pretty solid. Nothing particularly jumping out at me, but it's pleasant enough. Some weird diversions here and there (The Tom Waits style singing in one song was a surprise).

- it was like fine - pretty boring honestly - don’t understand why this is something i needed to listen to before i die

6.5/10

Super cool find. I can understand not loving this or appreciating its subtle and dark vibes, but this is totally in my wheelhouse and feels like a great late night chill out album. It has just enough uniqueness and quirkiness to have a bit of an outsider art thing going on, but just enough songwriting to fit into more of straight up standard indie vibe. I am surprised to have never heard of these guys, and they don't seem to have left a huge legacy or impact, so I can understand being a bit critical of the inclusion on this list, but personally I found this super intriguing.

I’m always surprised and apprehensive when my daily album is by a band that I have never heard of in a genre with which I am fairly familiar; I feel like the list has burned me too many times on obscure and irrelevant bands that really don’t deserve to be on the list. Well, I’ve never heard of Giant Sand, Giant Giant Sand, Giant Sandworms, or Howe Gelb, so I was prepared to be back in that position again, but I love when my preconceived notions turn out to be completely wrong. This album is right up my alley. It reminds me a bit of Bill Callahan’s dark and raw alt-country and Jeff Tweedy’s work, both the acoustic alt-country of Uncle Tupelo and his more experimental indie rock work with Wilco.

Okay album, didn't listen to the extra's. 3/5 but on the low side

I guess it’s ok

As I start listening to the album I heard the intro. I was like no, not Orchestral indie slop! Luckily it wasn't that. Musically to me ear It sounds a bit like indie country. Lot of the songs have that trademarked sleepy indie drawl with the vocals. I think overall this album needs some more volume to it, it's probably one of the most quiet albums I have heard so far (nearly 500 albums deep.) I think this album overstays it's welcome a bit too much, I think maybe 40-45 minutes would be a more of an appropriate time. I don't think this is a necessary album that one has to hear before eternal sleepiness. Highlight Song/s: "X-tra Wide"

I enjoyed a few of these tracks enough to give this a 3, though it’s uneven and not something I see myself returning to often.

The songs themselves were good, but the performances, particularly the singing, and the recording were pretty amateur.

A 2000s album that was removed in future editions of the book... somehow I liked it more that I thought. I think it was the talk-singing cause I like that. I like stuff with that atmosphere

I can't help but wonder what album could have been on this list instead of this real shitty Leonard Cohen wannabe.

It wasn’t bad but a little too low key to really captivate me

Saved? ❌ Would listen again? 🤔 Would recommend to anyone? ❌ Would buy on Vinyl? ❌

Cool alt singer songwriter stuff. Mt Goat vibes.

I didn't like it when Lou Reed did it, and I hate it when this guy does.

gets better as it goes on, shiver was amazing

Stonerish 90s style alt rock. Meh. Kinda boring but not bad.

Saakeli kuin pitkä! No mutta tunnelmallista ja vähäeleistä laulamista, melkein kuiskuttelu tasolla. Kyllä tätä kuuntelee.

Why are the bonus tracks on the deluxe album better than the original tracks?