Glum [25th Anniversary Edition]

Giant Sand: Howe Gelb (vocals, guitar, piano); Joey Burns (acoustic bass); Paula Jean Brown (electric bass); John Convertino (drums).
Additional personnel: Victoria Willams (vocals); Peter Holsapple (slide guitar); Lisa Germano (violin).
One of the purest and most consistently intriguing of the alt country bands, Howe Gelb's Giant Sand has been making unique, art-damaged country rock since the mid 1980s. GLUM (1995), the band's 10th album, is as good an example of Gelb's talents as any in his catalog. Whether wistfully lyrical or dissonant, Gelb's songs have a way of sinking their claws into the listener. The title cut, which marries a sweet acoustic melody to a snarl of distorted guitars, is a perfect case of Giant Sand's demented magic. "Spun," which features vocals from Victoria Williams, is a piano-fueled ballad that stands out as another highlight. At times intense and rocking, at others reflective and full of quite beauty, GLUM won't disappoint fans of Giant Sand or of quirky, contemporary country rock in general.