Schlomo Sand

Influential alt country band whose sound evolved into a crisp mix of swing, country, rock and beatnik lyricism. Giant Sand was the primary outlet for the stylistic curveballs and sun-damaged songcraft of Howe Gelb, a Pennsylvania-born singer/guitarist who formed the four-piece Giant Sandworms after relocating to Tuscon, Arizona in the mid-'70s. After releasing the EP Will Wallow and Roam After the Ruin in 1980, Gelb fired everyone but bassist Scott Gerber (although founding guitarist Rainer Ptacek returned to the fold many times in the future) and started over as simply Giant Sand, essentially a one-man band backed by a revolving cast of players.

In 2020, the authorities in Sweden tried to keep normal life going for as long as possible, but, even there, things were eventually brought to a halt by Corona. And like everywhere else, musicians were among the hardest-hit. "It felt somehow as if one of my limbs had been severed,” recalls Ida Sand.

RED SAND comes here to release its 9th album by offering a variation on the sounds of PINK FLOYD, Gimour being one of the masters of SImon. This opus therefore radically changes the sounds of the MARILLION Fish era with which it had quite a few similarities. RED SAND has just released a neo prog wonder quite simply…

RED SAND, known personally in 2005 with'Gentry 'released their 10th album, more and more distant from neo to Marillion. Simon Caron, an absolute Rothery fan, had even slipped down nicely with the sound of Pink Floyd on their last album; reminiscences of Camel, IQ or Pendragon can be found there. We are dealing with a concept album based on the seven deadly sins, mixed by Michel St-Père (Mystery) on beautiful progressive rock melodies…

This is first rate neo prog, maybe not original, but well played and with intresting passages. The bass, drums are all over and is clear that they play with pleasure for neo prog music. People who enjoyed the band's first two releases and also fancy the early Marillion albums should check out Behind The Mask.

Red Sand was created by guitarist Simon Caron, a self-proclaimed David Gilmour, Andy Latimer, Steven Rothery, IQ, BB King and Albert Collins fan. What strikes the listener is how "early-Marillion" the band sounds without seeming to imitate them. The compositional style, breaks and moods, the Rothery-like guitar play and the Nolan-like keyboard flights all contribute to this impression - even the albums' artwork bears that early Marillion touch; yet for some reason, it all sounds very much Red Sand. Well produced and expertly crafted, their music flows naturally and the themes blend into one another with remarkable ease. The lyrics never sound forced or imitative (the vocalist sings in English but doesn't sound at all like Fish). The band may not offer anything original in terms of style, but they do deliver first-rate neo prog that oozes charm, refinement and professionalism.