When a band starts out with an aesthetic as specific as Calexico's, sometimes expanding that sound means incorporating more pop elements into it. And, after years of being known -- accurately or not -- as the indie-mariachi band, Calexico may have felt boxed in by their very distinctiveness. Like Feast of Wire, Garden Ruin finds them moving further into more song-based, immediately accessible territory (their collaborations and performances with bands like Wilco and Iron & Wine may have also inspired them to tone down their theatricality). With no instrumentals -- a first on a Calexico album -- and less emphasis on elaborate arrangements, Garden Ruin presents an almost mainstream version of Calexico, with mixed results. At times, as on "Yours and Mine," the band strays toward typical alt-country and ends up sounding overly restrained and mature. However, the beautiful melodies on "Panic Open String" and "Bisbee Blue" (a warm little love song to Bisbee, AZ, where the album was recorded) and the '70s singer/songwriterisms of "Lucky Dime" prove that the band can bend pop to Calexico's sound instead of vice versa. Though Joey Burns' whispery vocals help make Garden Ruin feel initially more hushed than it actually is, it becomes clear as the album unfolds that Calexico haven't completely abandoned their flair for striking arrangements and drama. They've just channeled it in different directions. "Cruel" -- whose lyrics deal with environmental corruption -- nods to the classic Calexico sound with its swooning pedal steel, brass, and strings, while "Roka" is a haunted yet sexy-sounding duet that echoes the band's most stunning moments. "Letter to Bowie Knife" (which sounds like a kissing cousin to their fantastic cover of Love's "Alone Again Or?") marries lyrics like "This world's an ungodly place" to a buoyant melody, one of Calexico's time-tested tricks. Likewise, the gentlest, most intimate allad is called "Smash" -- but even this relatively quiet song has thunderous timpani rolling in the distance. The band also rocks more than it has in the past, earnestly on "Deep Down" and with real anguish on Garden Ruin's striking final track, "All Systems Red." Ultimately, this album ends up being a more naturalistic take on Calexico's sound; just because it's less stylized doesn't mean it's less interesting -- it just takes a little more time for Garden Ruin's power to reveal itself.
I've got a backlog of craziness to sort through - It has been a hectic few weeks. The days before Thanksgiving were tied up with work on a story for Calexico's upcoming concert. My editors actually decided to put them on the cover of our Calendar section - a rare, forward thinking move. But then Calexico deserves all the attention they can get - they are simply wonderful. Even though they techn...
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Great performance from Calexico last night on Austin City Limits. Not enough stuff off Garden Ruin, and no Guero Canelo, but still a spirited performance. The seemed to go over well, I hope this bodes well for them reaching a wider audience. Iron and Wine and Salvador Duran joined them for the title track from In the Reins. Sufjan Stevens was also on the show - not as good and very strange, he ...
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Letter to Bowie Knife by Calexico is better than sex with your mom. That's right, yours. It's even better than a good slice of muenster cheese. Although maybe not better than one in yr mom.Now, what else is better than yer other paltry offerings? Oh, anything by the Stooges is better than anything by any band with Cutie in their name.Any band with Velvet in their name should shut the fuck up un...
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Have I mentioned how cool Calexico is? I just love their music, and every once in a while I discover another gem from their collection."Letter To Bowie Knife" is the latest. It makes me pause to turn up the speakers when I'm running the 14-hour shuffle. That's worth noting. I share it with you now.Enjoy
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I've got a backlog of craziness to sort through - It has been a hectic few weeks. The days before Thanksgiving were tied up with work on a story for Calexico's upcoming concert. My editors actually decided to put them on the cover of our Calendar section - a rare, forward thinking move. But then Calexico deserves all the attention they can get - they are simply wonderful. Even though they techn...
More >
Great performance from Calexico last night on Austin City Limits. Not enough stuff off Garden Ruin, and no Guero Canelo, but still a spirited performance. The seemed to go over well, I hope this bodes well for them reaching a wider audience. Iron and Wine and Salvador Duran joined them for the title track from In the Reins. Sufjan Stevens was also on the show - not as good and very strange, he ...
More >
Calexico, A Tucson based group-I didn't even know these guys were around until about a year and1/2 ago. Oh well Az neighbors I guess. Actually thier old stuff is really good as well,I love the horns and steel guitar and accordion as well...Good Stuff!!!
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 "Garden Ruin")
