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Carried to Dust

by: Calexico

September 08, 2008
`Carried to Dust` is Calexico's most mature work to date, arguably the best synthesis of their frontier atmospherics and Latin-inflected country songwriting. The follow-up to 2005's much-dismissed `Garden Ruin', `Carried to Dust' makes the `South-Western noir' tag stick better than any other Calexico album. It's a record of great dusky beauty, varied and unusual musicianship and haunting songs. More understated than their aknowledged masterpiece `Feast of Wire`, `Carried to Dust' may pass that benchmark in time with its flickering, insidious quality. Cinematic but subtle, whispery yet substantial, there are fewer straight-out brooding Enio Morricone instrumentals, only one blatant Tex-Mex jam. The album is largely song-orientated but, unlike ... Read More:

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Feast of Wire

by: Calexico

February 10, 2003
Calexico's sound inhabits the frontier badlands of the American Southwest, a cinematic multi-instumental brew that takes in jazz, alt-country, Mariachi, folk and electronics. It's a widescreen affair, a mixture of traditional rootsy Americana ('Quattro') and brooding instrumental mood pieces ('Pepita', 'Across The Wire') that evoke rust and dust choked border towns. Dubbed 'desert-rock' by some, don't be turned off by the Tex-Mex conceit, this is a wonderful album overflowing with ideas; a real grower that rewards repeated listens.

The filmic quality to the music is enhanced by anecdotal and scene-setting lyrics, not to mention Enio Morricone-schooled atmospherics. But they can do breezy west coast pop as well ('Not Even Stevie Nicks') ... Read More:

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The Black Light

by: Calexico

May 08, 2006
Calexico's second album is a sprawling, doom-laden and cinematic work that draws heavily on latin jazz, mariachi, country and gypsy folk. Typically rich in the kind of malevolent desert imagery and border country narratives that suggest the novels of Cormac McCarthy, `Black Light' explores territory that is more fully realised in their later work, particularly `Feat of Wire'. Another widescreen production, Calexico are seemingly the natural heirs to Ennio Morricone's wild west atmospherics (check out `Minas De Cobre').

From the opener `Gypsy's Curse', `Black Light' is heavy on nocturnal ambience, rendered in sometimes lengthy instrumental passages, but is lighter on songwriting. Calexico have never been great songwriters, partly because their ... Read More:

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Garden Ruin

by: Calexico

April 03, 2006
There is no doubt that this CD will appeal to a larger audience than its predecessors. As a frequent traveller to and enjoyer of the southern Arizona ambience, I have thoroughly enjoyed the Calexico kaleidoscope of sound. The CDs have been mixed in quality but have always boasted stunning highlights.This CD has enjoyed good reviews but I cannot find one truly outstanding and memorable track. It is a pleasant but palid development of their soundscape with all the quirky nuances mixed well down. Few will dislike it, to be sure, but what a loss!

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Hot Rail

by: Calexico

May 08, 2000
Bought this purely because of the cover to find an unforgettable album. Full of luscious melodies with cool but slightly sugary vocals and odd bits of soundscapes that reminds you of Sunday mornings in the summer. I don't know much about the band but I can sing almost all of their songs for you. That's how good this is.

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In the Reins

by: Iron & Wine & Calexico

September 13, 2005
The best new artist in this sphere of music is Nick Worrall. Google him and get his debut album for FREE. Incredible.

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Spoke

by: Calexico

May 29, 2000
For anyone who is already a fan of Calexico, this album is a must. For anyone who hasn't heard of them before, read on.

Imagine taking some of the best elements of ambience of Velvet Underground, mixing in the soundtrack to a Fistful of Dollars while sitting in a cafe in Paris watching a street performer on accordion, and you start to get the general feel of this group.

Every track is undersold, with sublime understated vocals. This album is particularly atmospheric and slightly more downbeat than some of their other albums.

It doesn't quite measure up to Hot Rail (a complete 5 star classic in my book), but it has a different feel to it, so the comparison may not be fair.

If you like something out of the ordinary, buy ... Read More:

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Hot Rail [EU Version]

by: Calexico

May 08, 2000
Bought this purely because of the cover to find an unforgettable album. Full of luscious melodies with cool but slightly sugary vocals and odd bits of soundscapes that reminds you of Sunday mornings in the summer. I don't know much about the band but I can sing almost all of their songs for you. That's how good this is.

Average Rating:

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Carried to Dust [Us Import]

by: Calexico

September 09, 2008
`Carried to Dust` is Calexico's most mature work to date, arguably the best synthesis of their frontier atmospherics and Latin-inflected country songwriting. The follow-up to 2005's much-dismissed `Garden Ruin', `Carried to Dust' makes the `South-Western noir' tag stick better than any other Calexico album. It's a record of great dusky beauty, varied and unusual musicianship and haunting songs. More understated than their aknowledged masterpiece `Feast of Wire`, `Carried to Dust' may pass that benchmark in time with its flickering, insidious quality. Cinematic but subtle, whispery yet substantial, there are fewer straight-out brooding Enio Morricone instrumentals, only one blatant Tex-Mex jam. The album is largely song-orientated but, unlike Garden Ruin, deftly impressionistic, ... Read More:

Average Rating:

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Feast of Wire: Limited Edition

by: Calexico

February 10, 2003
Calexico's sound inhabits the frontier badlands of the American Southwest, a cinematic multi-instumental brew that takes in jazz, alt-country, Mariachi, folk and electronics. It's a widescreen affair, a mixture of traditional rootsy Americana ('Quattro') and brooding instrumental mood pieces ('Pepita', 'Across The Wire') that evoke rust and dust choked border towns. Dubbed 'desert-rock' by some, don't be turned off by the Tex-Mex conceit, this is a wonderful album overflowing with ideas; a real grower that rewards repeated listens.

The filmic quality to the music is enhanced by anecdotal and scene-setting lyrics, not to mention Enio Morricone-schooled atmospherics. But they can do breezy west coast pop as well ('Not Even Stevie Nicks') and desert trip-hop: 'Black Heart' ... Read More: