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Calexico (from the album El Mirador on Anti-Records) (By Lee Zimmerman)
In a career that spans some 30 years, Calexico have never settled for the tried and true. Instead, they’ve adapted a distinct desert noir as a foundation from which they’ve explored psychedelia, abstract experimentation, and other forms of esoteric inducement. Anchored by singer and co-founder Joey Burns and drummer John Convertino, Calexico has never been afraid to take chances and temper their template in order to accommodate a serendipitous sonic journey. Their new album, El Mirador, is no exception. Propelled by Latin rhythms and communal conceits, it’s an invigorated effort that eschews their usual cosmic trappings in favor of a sound more in line with the traditional trappings of their Southwestern environs. That’s not necessarily surprising of course; Calexico has always been firmly bound to a sound that’s well in keeping with a South of the Border parlance, one that includes cumbia, mariachi, and an all-round supple sway. Here however, they indulge in the cultural crossover to an even greater extent, singing several songs in Spanish and partaking in dance-like rhythms as found in songs such as “Harness the Wind”, “Liberada”, “Cumbia del Polvo”, “El Paso”, and “The You Might Even See”. Keyboardist, accordion player, and percussionist Sergio Mendoza exerts his influence throughout, resulting in an earnest approach that rings with honesty and authenticity. It’s both vibrant and breezy, music that’s akin to the frenzy of a fiesta, flush with celebratory enthusiasm. That’s never more evident than on the horn-infused “The El Burro Song” which comes complete with celebratory shout-outs. As a result, it’s easy to imagine a crowd of eager participants eagerly joining in the dance. The enthusiasm is nothing less than contagious, propelling this beyond Calexico’s usual sweep of atmosphere and mystique. So too, it’s a distinctive statement, and one that finds them reaffirming their allegiance to their specific geographical realms. It’s also a most intriguing offering, and one that ought to endear the band to an entrenched Hispanic audience. Given the country’s ever-shifting demographics, that’s a positive prospect indeed. (By Lee Zimmerman) For more information and purchase options, please visit the Calexico website
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