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Tucson: A Country Rock Opera Image
Metascore
72

Generally favorable reviews - based on 11 Critic Reviews What's this?

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  • Summary: The latest album from the Arizona band led by Howe Gelb is a country rock opera about a man's road trip to escape from his hometown of Tuscon.
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Score distribution:
  1. Positive: 7 out of 11
  2. Negative: 0 out of 11
  1. Jun 12, 2012
    80
    This is an absorbing and engaging album that shows Howe Gelb's vision to its best advantage.
  2. Uncut
    Jun 12, 2012
    80
    Gelb's masterstroke is the inclusion of Brian Lopez, Gabriel Sullivan and Jon Villa, whose flourishes of Tex-Mex and cumbia accentuate Tuscon's feel of pan-cultural enchantment. [Jul 2012, p.70]
  3. Jun 19, 2012
    80
    It has the breadth, intelligence, mystery and ambitious arrangements of a major work. With 19 songs, it's maybe a touch too long, but almost every song is vivid in its poetry and instrumental coloration.
  4. 70
    This could be a rare Giant Sand LP that manages to be both sophisticated and sprawling. Overall, Tucson is destined to be labelled as a 'must-keep' for those struggling to house their vast Giant Howe collections.
  5. Oct 30, 2012
    67
    Tucson is less a linear narrative and more a collection of songs with a thematic thread and consistent atmosphere.
  6. Mojo
    Jun 26, 2012
    60
    The new blood broadens the Sand's vocal palette and, along with some of Gelb's sharpest writing in some time - gives Tuscon's 19-song sprawl more energy and focus than any Gelb LP since 2000's Chore of Enchantment. [July 2012, p.89]
  7. Jun 12, 2012
    50
    At times, Tucson feels life an afterthought, lacking in the kinetic intensity and corrosive experimentalism of earlier releases.

See all 11 Critic Reviews