Title: desert masterpiece
Product review: Yep...the great Howe Gelb shines on these early releases, sadly out of print (hence the exorbitant cost). His lyrics are a beautiful fusion of peyote poetry and barroom blather. But it is his guitar work and songrwriting that carry the day. Think of a style (punk, psychedelia, straight-ahead rock n roll) and Gelb plays it. The mood of these songs is dark and angry, but never cliched or off-putting. Way back in '84 and '85, when desert rock meant something, Giant Sand delivered. This music is so unique I cannot think of three or four different groups to reference. This is as strange and beautiful as a datura plant, poison and perfume. Brilliant.PS--This release lacks one of my fave Sand tunes from the same period, "Barrio". My vinyl copy of "Valley of Rain" from 1986 has it, but I haven't seen it anywhere else. So, for those of us who were on the Sandtrain back then, we have a little lost jewel to gloat about.
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