Customer Reviews

proVISIONS

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

 

 

I admit I had almost given up on Giant Sand. Everything released under that name since Chore of Enchantment had really tested my listening patience. But I thoroughly enjoyed Howe Gelb's last solo outing and I read mostly positive reviews of proVisions so I decided to come back. And I am glad I did.

This is GS's most cohesive release since Chore. Everything holds together well, the songs are all likable and Gelb seems to have actually tried to put together an album designed to not drive away casual GS fans such as myself. It's still idiosyncratic and Gelb's beatnik cowboy poetry is somewhat of an acquired taste. Still, an enjoyable release by a unique artist who deserves a much larger audience.

After a four-year absence, Giant Sand returns with the album proVisions. On this album, Howe Gelb has enlisted some high-profile extras such as M. Ward, Isobel Campbell and Neko Case. It seems that Gelb has chosen a who's who amongst current Americana superstars to infuse this album with a little more muscle. The album starts off strongly with the first three tracks all featuring the extra help of the guest musicians. Howe Gelb even channels "Sultans of Swing" into his lively track "Without a Word." After the musical guests leave the party ends.

The album tends to become a little morose. Gelb populates the songs with an allotment of losers and lost souls who are desperately trying to cling to some sort of salvation. In most cases, Gelb illustrates these cases without interfering, and he lets them tell their tales. The album does not lose its musicianship after his guest stars leave, but some of the grimness is a little overwhelming and clichéd. It seems that Gelb works best when he has some sort of foil to play his ideas off.

The album picks up with the vaguely political song "Pitch & Sway" which features a sassy guitar riff that seems to pick the album out of its malaise. The jaunty "Muck Machine" follows in suit and brings a bizarre jazzy fever dream to the album. "Belly Full of Fire" and "Saturated Beyond Repair" reminded me of a more lysergic Lyle Lovett, with "Saturated Beyond Repair" being the better of the two songs. The album closes with a blues dirge, before Gelb offers a ray of hope with "Well Enough Alone."

even better than the new calexico cd(burns and convertino are giant sand alumni),giant sand's ProVisions disc stands as one of the highlights of main sandman howe(the e is silent)gelb's career!the first 3 tracks feature guest appearances by isobel campbell,neko case,and m.ward but the real star here is gelb,his Arizona drawl informing some of the best songs he's ever written with an odd sense of sardonic wisdom.plus there's a nice cover of pj harvey's the desperate kingdom of love.one of the best discs of the year!

For those unaware of Giant Sand and Howe Gelb, the Tucson-based band and its leader never look beyond the scope of their current experiment. An experiment which usually necessitates a southwestern desert haze and interstellar outlook. In his subtle singing droll of a voice, Gelb strolls along the border between wry resignation and light hearted whimsy, his band never veering from the laid-back rock and and roll it so effortlessly oozes.

Gelb is a musician who takes his time and never sticks to a formula. Other than combining a smoke-filled, saloon-sounding piano with the twang and buzz of southwestern guitar. Not to mention a little backup from friends like Neko Case, M. Ward and Marie Frank, with the resulting sound like a musical equivalent of a deep, dark drive down the highway at twilight. Standout tracks from the new release called proVISIONS include 'Increment of love', 'Stranded Pearl', 'Belly full of fire' and 'Well enough alone'.

This new album by Howe Gelb and company is, for me, the most consistent release from the Sandmen in quite some time. I daresay that I think it's slightly more cohesive than their masterpiece Chore of Enchantment. Which means that it is astonishingly brilliant.

[...]

The tremolo soaked essence is unbelievable but it ain't untill mid way forward in the album that GELB buddies and himself they go right into the dark veils of eccentric bizarre experimental modes!
Obviously to understand this other milestone by GIANT SAND ye'll have to look as further back as 'Swerve' and all the other albums that came soon after that one,i.e.'Belly full of fire' which is one of me faves was nonetheless than an updated version of GELB's solo version that he issued back in 2003 but there is fresh ground still no need for me to vent more advice except for do not forget to check'em over myspace or even directly at their page . That's it I'm done now!

I am very much a fan of Howe Gelb's output since 2000's masterpiece, Chore of Enchantment, and proVisions is no exception. In my opinion, it is one of Giant Sand's best albums. The double LP version quickly went out of print, which is a shame since it contains an extra side of additional material (mainly culled from Howe Gelb's Piano album (CD only) from the same year), which is worth the price in itself. The pressing sounds fantastic. Clear, vibrant and satisfying. The music is some of Giant Sand's best. The latest version of GS sound as if they have been playing together for decades. They get some help from Isabelle Campbell and Neko Case on background vocals.... which pair with Howe's voice like a fine wine accompanies a great meal. If you can find this... pick it up. Quick.

A rambling, shambling, sunbaked mood. You have to be in the right mood, but when you are, Howe is always there, waiting. Like a good neighbor, Howe Gelb is there. A bit more mellow than some other Giant Sand outings, it is still well worthwhile.