The Sunday Times (Culture) (5 out of 5 stars)

POP CD of the week
*****
When rock artists reach for the comforting embrace of a gospel choir, it's usually indicative of desperation or delusion. Lining one up behind an X factor winner offsets their transparent falseness, and when Spiritualized laid gospel grooves over the heroin blues of Ladies and Gentlemen..., it suggested an unwarranted degree of profundity. But when Howe Gelb, front man of Tuscon's Giant Sand and alt-country godfather, met the Voices of Praise gospel choir, he laid the groundwork for a brilliant album. 'Sno Angel Like You is arguably unique among rock's ignominious litany of gospel appropriations, in that Gelb and his percussionist appear to be working with the singers, playing to their strengths, rather than just performing alongside them. Here's feedback and faith in perfect harmony, as the ensemble interpret a selection of Gelb's songs, meshing spine-tingling spirituality with the usual sonic muck. People get ready. It's garage gospel.
(Stewart Lee)