They are Alternative Rock’s favourite desert outlaws. Few play rock with a widescreen Western flavour with more credibility or style. This is music for endless cups of coffee at a late night diner.

Giant Sand are based in Tucson, Arizona. Maybe there’s something in the desert air out there. Giant Sand mastermind Howe Gelb and an ever changing line-up of fellow musicians have been making strangely spiritual, laid back Rock music for over two decades. Long before Country and US Folk influenced Rock became hip, Giant Sand developed the blueprint for what is now often referred to as Americana.

There is nothing rough or improvised about Gelb’s music. A professional into the last detail, he plays every bit as slick as, say, soft rocker Eric Clapton on ‘Live At Budokan’, yet there is a directness about ‘Provisions’ that screams ‘I am here now and I’m talking to YOU’.

What you get on ‘Provisions’ is very straight, honest music with one foot in Alternative Rock and the other stuck deep in all sorts of American roots music. Like Micah P. Hinson, Giant Sand toy with 1950’s Rockabilly (’Can Do’). Unlike Hinson, theirs is a less edgy, creamier sound, though.

There are some straight Alternative moments (’Out There’), yet the majority of numbers here has an overwhelming feel of music for propping up late night diner counters (’Increment Of Love’, ‘Stranded Pearl’, ‘Without A Word’).

Watch Giant Sand on YouTube

Fans of Micah P. Hinson, The Tindersticks, Bonnie Prince Billy, Lambchop, Wilco and Nick Cave should give ‘Provisions’ a listen. You might find a new favorite act in Giant Sand.

Readers from the UK and Ireland, Click Here to download ‘Provisions’ from iTunes UK. We don’t charge any extras, just pay the regular iTunes Store price.

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(Photo credit: Sofie Gelb)