Calexico : Classic or Dud?

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.