Customer Reviews

Slush

5 star:		(8)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Maybe one day that will be the case and this mind-blowing record will get the full blown fame it deserves. Given the group's quiet confidence, total control and the artistry every song exudes this is thankfully inevitable. (though hopefully not with a Nick Drake-esque time lag) The songs are wonderfully diverse, some are covers of course, all imaginatively constructed with Lisa Germano's lilting voice always fitting the mood. 'Sand' is a great beginning, 'Lost in Space' floats on air, soft, poetic and beguiling, and 'When I think of love' hits the spot with perceptive lyrics and simple striking music. Best of all though, is 'Cracklin' Water' an instant classic, complex, and certainly one of the finest songs of the nineties. The song never fails to convert even those of little faith and guarantees that 'Slush' will remain as cool as ice for posterity. Don't pass it up....

This is an album that really shines as the sum of its parts.
Opener 'Sand' is a pretty impressive cover that does exactly what a cover should; pay tribute to the original while giving it the covering artist's touch (it also inspired me to check out more of Nancy Sinatra's work). The only misstep the song makes is reversing the roles of the man and the woman which ends up making it silly instead of quirky. The individual styles of the contributors comes into the fore in songs featuring each of their vocals. But the best of the songs are those that have a more distinctive and slightly progressive approach such as the spacy 'Lost in Space' and 'Cracklin' Water' (the best, and longest track on the album). 'If I Think of Love', 'Its a Rainbow' and 'Tom, Dick and Harry' are songs typical of Germano with simple verses such as "If I think of love, I think of you" repeated to magical effect. Similarly, 'Leather' reminds of Howe Gelb's solo stuff and 'Never See it Coming' of Calexico. 'OP8' is a very polished instrumental track and my personal favourite on the album.

I can't think of another collaboration that showcases the styles of the different artists this well. At over 50 mins of quality music, and negligible flaws this should be on the must get list of fans of any of the bands mentioned.

Score: 9/10

This re-issue is most welcome. The cd marks a collaboration with Germano and Howe Gelb's Giant Sand. It also marks the beginng, I think, of Calexico's birth - out from under the large shadow of Gelb's creativity. "Lost in Space" and "never see it coming" will be instantly recognizable to Calexico fans. Funny to hear Gelb sing his own veiled and ironic lyrics over Joey Burn's tune in the latter song. Burn's, obviously, has a deep love for the traditional sounds of the desert southwest, pulling from the spanish and mexican music that fills that area, while Gelb is a rocker cut from the Lou Reed mold. A very self-aware post-modernist.

All the pieces come together on Lee Hazelwood's "sand" and the true collaboration "Cracklin Water". You can hear the subtle hand of Burns, the puckish informality of Gelb, and the confidence of Convertino's druming.

This album was recorded just before Convertino and Burns recorded their own break-through album "the black light", and took a long hiatus from Gelb's Giant Sand. There is said to have been some rancor as, perhaps, Gelb saw his side men explode in popularity, leaving him behind. But this album marks a time prior to that break-up, and Germano must have given the boys a focus outside themselves and their tensions onto which they could safely pour their creativity.

If you're a fan of Calexico or Giant Sand, this is a "must have".

A fantastic record - this one has not left my cd player since I got it, what, a year and a half ago? It's one of my favorite records. Depth, beauty, humor - it's got it all. Lisa Germano and Giant Sand - an inspired collaboration. Do not hesitate to plunk down your hard earned cash for this one. Let's just hope they do this again, soon.

This album is the artistic fruits of a collaboration between the band Giant Sand and Lisa Germano. What? You've never heard of either of them? Well, this is the perfect starting point. Lonely, longing, rock(?) from the SouthWest.

A masterpiece....The boys from Giant Sand and Lisa make an exceptional match. Their cover of Sand will make your hair stand up......

A lost classic that the majority missed. Lisa Germano doing her usual exceptional fine work along with Giant Sand & Calexico. Do yourself a huge favour and try it. Why would anyone in their right sane mind listen to the likes of Mariah, Kylie, Celine and assorted plastic pop devoid of feeling when the opportunity to listen to truly emotive music from Lisa and her cohorts leaves the others dead & buried!!! This is truly a lost classic.

This is an easy album to fall in love with. Howe Gelb and his Giant Sand compatriots lay down some of the most haunting and beautiful arrangements they've ever come up with and Lisa Germano delivers a vocal performance that will bring tears to the eyes of anyone with a pair of functioning ears. Get this if you like Giant Sand, get this if you like Calexico, get this if you like music.

Yeah, definitely not your father's Tex-Mex... sort of what you might expect to find if you walked into a sleazy piano lounge in the middle of the desert. Townes Van Zandt meets Tom Waits meets Yo La Tengo, in an "emo" sort of vein. Not all slow, dreamy stuff though -- good for that drive through your favorite wasteland, be it natural or industrial.

For guys who like Lisa Germano's stuff, you'll love this. Makes me want to ride off into the sunset and find more recordings by all the artists who met on the astral plane for this one...

This is an awesome album. For those of you who've heard and enjoyed Giant Sand, definately check this out. One of the better "collaborations" (if you wanna call it that) that I've heard in a long time.

I think Amazon.com is saying this is "out of stock" or "unavailable", but don't let those words deter you from putting in a little effort (elsewhere) to locate this disc.