Sno Angel Like You

Howe recorded this record with the help of a Canadian gospel choir called Voices Of Praise, but this isn't gospel music. Said Gelb, "It was a grand experiment to see if we could mesh the sounds of the muck I make with the dizzying effect of the glorious sound [the choir] makes." While recording during an Ottowa winter, Howe was inspired by the drastic beauty of snow and a cold not often felt in Tucson. The image of a snow angel stuck with him as a symbol for the record and what he was trying to create. Arcade Fire drummer Jeremy Gara contributed, helping Howe in old-school, Giant Sand fashion: just laying down guitar and drums, after which the gospel choir arranged themselves on the tracks. This record includes seven new songs, three old Giant Sand tunes Gelb always felt begged for a choir, and three Rainer Ptacek songs.