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 Good stuff Jul 09, 2009
Calexico returns with their strongest effort since "The Black Light." Joey Burns and John Convertino have recruited the same players from that album and the new record is a pleasure to hear. Exploring musical genres on both sides of the border has always been one of Calexico's strengths. On the album opener, "Victor Jara's Hands" mariachi horns accompany the tribute to the fallen Chilean activist.
Calexico also explores different elements of sound throughout the album. "House of Valparaiso" features Iron & Wine's Sam Beam singing backup in a Tex-Mex ballad. "Slowness" crosses the border to deliver a country duet. Mystery plays a key part to several of these tracks including, "Bend To The Road". "El Gatillo" sounds like it could be an Ennio Morricone outtake from some forgotten western. Considering the album's length, there is much to admire here from hushed pop songs to lush instrumentals. Bravo, Calexico!
1 of 1 found the following review helpful:
 The best album of the year May 22, 2009
I have been digesting this album for some time, and it has yet to diminish its stature in my eyes. It is by far my favorite album of 2008. As a fan of Calexico, I have always followed and enjoyed their work. Nothing prepared me for this. The mood of the southwest is pervasive, but does not overpower a set of songs strong from start to finish. Previous work had struggled with this issue - mood and style vs substance. This album has both. It may seem to have an identity crisis at times as it roams from style to style, but the current is always in the same direction. You never lose sight of the band, which happened at times with Garden Ruin. But you also don't get lost in a conversation you can't understand, as happens in Feast of Wire. It's simply the most mature, enjoyable thing they've produced. It's got everything you loved about In The Reins, Feast of Wire, and Garden Ruin, and it blends it all together to reveal unexpected pleasures. I was hooked the moment I heard Slowness and it was over after that. A mountain of delight. That slowness has indeed never gone away.
2 of 2 found the following review helpful:
Excellent introduction for late-comers like myself Feb 23, 2009
Let me state upfront that I am a late-comer to the Calexico fanfest. This is the 8th album in the band's rich history since 1997 but it's the first album I've discovered after hearing/reading so much critical acclaim on this that I just had to seek this out, and you can rest assured it won't be the last album I'll be listening to from these guys.
"Carried To Dust" (15 tracks; 45 min.) brings a mesmerizing mix of indie-folk-electric-country-Latin sounds, and even these descriptions don't do full justice to the band. The album consists of a slew of short (in the 3-4 min. range) songs (with 2 short instrumentals) that make their point, and then the band moves on. It all results in a dreamy state of affairs that I just can't put down. There are of course no 'hits' on here, but plenty of highlights: the opener "Victor Jara's Hands" sets the table; "Man Made Lake" ends in a searing electric guitar solo; "Inspiracion" is a Spanish-song little ditty with great Mexican horns; "House of Valparaiso" features Iron & Wine's Sam Beam on vocals; and so on. There are really no weak tracks on here, period.
In all this is a great album that deserves all the critical acclaim it has gotten. I can only hope to see these guys live at some point, what a show that I suspect it would be. Hopefully they'll be either at Coachella or Bonnaroo, both of which I'll be attending this year. Meanwhile, "Carried To Dust" is highly recommended!
Great Record Dec 17, 2008
I had always seen the name Calexico while reading No Depression and various web sites, but I had never heard them. Amazon put this download on sale so I bite and I'm so glad that I did. This is a very easy record to listen to with its pop sensibility and musical depth. I find myself listening to this record over and over again without growing tired of it. These guys have their own thing going on which is refreshing in today's musical climate. I just have to figure out which record to get next.
Another excellent album Nov 24, 2008
I happened to have seen them, live, in Omaha, NE, and I was unaware of this album. I checked a few clips, and remember some of the songs They are mesmerizing.
Their style is what it is. Eclectic for sure, but their own. Not outstanding, but excellent.
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