HEARTBREAK Pass, US legends Giant Sand’s 35th album, is overseen by singer-songwriter Howe Gelb who has continually reinvented the band over four decades and is often cited as the godfather of alt country.

Setting the standard since 1985, Giant Sand — out of Tucson, Arizona — has produced perhaps its finest hour with this epic 15-track collection.

This tour de force pulls in some of the best musicians around, including Steve Shelly of Sonic Youth, Grant-Lee Phillips and the fantastic voice of Ilse DeLange.

Gelb effortlessly invokes Lou Reed’s Velvet Underground, Neil Young, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Vic Chesnutt and a dozen other US legends while creating his own genre with warm vocals, astounding lyrics and fearless music.

Giant Sand is currently on tour to promote the CD, which has to be one of the best albums of the year.