Calexico : Classic or Dud?

New album in April:

For the better part of two decades, the acclaimed band CALEXICO has crossed musical barriers, embracing a multitude of styles, variety in instrumentation, and well-cultivated signature sounds. With their forthcoming record Edge of the Sun, out 13th April on City Slang, they take inspiration from a trip to a place surprisingly unexplored by the band before in Mexico City, with the benefit of many friends and comrades to help guide the way.

The first outside invitation came when the band’s Joey Burns was writing the track “Bullets and Rocks” and recognized space for a former Calexico collaborator. “When putting vocals on that song, it immediately reminded me of the Iron & Wine feel,” says Burns. “So I texted Sam (Beam), who wrote back quickly and got it going.”

Encouraged by the experience, the guest list grew to include Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses), Nick Urata (Devotchka), Carla Morrison, Gaby Moreno, Amparo Sanchez and Neko Case. Burns’ brother John Burns lent a hand to some lyrics and songwriting, and the band’s keyboardist, Sergio Mendoza, stepped up to co-write and arrange certain songs. “Going to another city to jumpstart the creative process helped us to know what this record is about and where we are as a band, like an open canvas with few ties to normal routines when recording and writing,” says Burns.

Initially expecting for the world of Calexico to mesh with the sounds and vibe of Mexico City and take on varied overt Latin influences, Burns and Convertino were amazed when they left the country with some of their poppiest songs to date. Album opener “Falling from the Sky” is earnestly straightforward in its rafter-reaching approach, while songs such as the electronica “Cumbia de Donde” and the cinematic swell of “Coyoacán” were more direct results of the foreign experience and the type of lessons that can only be realized upon reflection.

Edge Of The Sun tracklisting:
1. Falling From The Sky with Ben Bridwell (Band of Horses)
2. Bullets & Rocks with Sam Beam (Iron & Wine)
3. When The Angels Played with Pieta Brown & Greg Leisz
4. Tapping On The Line with Neko Case
5. Cumbia de Donde with Amparo Sanchez
6. Miles from the Sea with Gaby Moreno
7. Coyoacán
8. Beneath The City Of Dreams with Gaby Moreno
9. Woodshed Waltz with Greg Leisz
10. Moon Never Rises with Carla Morrison
11. World Undone with Takim
12. Follow The River with Nick Urata (Devotchka)

http://www.casadecalexico.com/welcome/edge-of-the-sun/

https://soundcloud.com/casadecalexico/cumbia-de-donde

Last record didn't make a huge impression but I saw them on the tour and they still put on one of the best live shows around. Regardless, I hope they eat well the rest of their lives on the basis of Feast of Wire alone.

They've had a strange career; never really had a buzzband/BNM album from the indie crowd, yet they aren't fully on the jamband circuit either. Nevertheless, every show of theirs I've been to has been packed.

New song sounds like it exists solely to be a clap-along for their live show.

I'd say Feast of Wire WAS their buzz/indie cred album. They are a very fun live band- the kind of show you can bring your otherwise disengaged parents/friends/family/whoever to and they'll have a great time.

I worry that most people perceive them as merely some kind of tostitos-commercial/Wilco hybrid. They have some great albums and I particularly love when they experiment with sparse instrumentation.

Listening to an advance of the new album, unsurprisingly great.

And last night on TV

http://teamcoco.com/video/calexico-04-02-15

Haven't heard it but the early buzz is very encouraging. Hope they get a late career revival ala Kozelek (but more deserved).

Unfortunate tosititos-commercial perception otm. I remember even when Feast of Wire was out, critics always backhandedly referred to them as a one-trick pony, which seems unbelievably off the mark considering how much genre territory they cover.

I mean they are always pretty overtly southwestern/desert vibe, but if you actually actively listen it's easy to see that they're always creative and bring in a variety of influences for sure!

dunno this album is kind of awful - no distinctive edge or angle or vibe or appeal

I would disagree! But I would.

Interviewed John C. for the SF Weekly:

http://www.sfweekly.com/sanfrancisco/calexico-fillmore/Content?oid=3771221

The new one is Calexico goes arena rock? Three preview songs out now that couldn't/could bode well?

After a second listen, I would add more question marks to that post.

Anyone check out the full album yet?

I haven't. I'm like 3 albums behind on this band, honestly. I usually put on all those tour only albums that got reissued a few years ago (love those) but have been slacking otherwise.

listening now, kinda a grab bag in terms of style and quality. my fav track so far is "Thrown to the Wild," which does the windswept tex-mex post rock thing that only they can do so well.

They've put out lots of good stuff, but I still can't tell if they take too long between records or not enough time.

They've been hit and miss for a while now. New one especially.

I thought Algiers was a solid album, and they always manage to bring the best out of their collaborators whenever they do a joint project.

idk, i loved their '00s output enough that i'm gonna listen to everything they do from now on

"Unconditional Waltz" is kinda weird in that it's essentially a instrumental cover of "America" by Simon & Garkfunkel, I wonder if they credit it on the liner notes?

idk, i loved their '00s output enough that i'm gonna listen to everything they do from now on

― hoooyaaargh it's me satan (voodoo chili), Tuesday, February 6, 2018 Bookmark Flag Post Permalink

Oh, I feel the same way - I mean, I give every album a chance and I make a point to hang onto all the songs I like. But it's been a while since I loved an album all the way through.

I was recommended by Cacavas. Messages me. Which is like wtf dude you are awesome, why give me the time of day. But I love the records. Fits my current vibe.

Rather like their new holiday album:

https://casadecalexico.bandcamp.com/album/seasonal-shift

america's #1 band

Don’t think I can even make it through the new album.

Honestly didn't even know they had a new album out, but I just bought tickets to see them in LA.

Didn’t make it through the new album either.