Calexico – Feast Of Wire

By far the best Calexico record. Not that I don't love their other records because I do. This one (IMO) is darker than others, and Calexico does Tex-Mex noir very well.

Fourth album and a delight for fans of the eclectic sounds of Joey Burns & John Convertino. Their blending of tex-mex, jazz lounge and psychedelia will not displease even to more occasional listener who looks with interest and an open mind to alt-country music. In my imagination, this record could be the soundtrack of a dreamlike journey along the southern border of the States, where Arizona and California touch Mexico. A wandering scenario of freedom ("He slept 'neath the stars" in "Sunken Waltz" the melancholy opening waltz) and solitude ("All alone in a silent way / World drifts in and the world's a stranger" in the following «Quattro»). A series of short musical sketches that trigger off in rusty Neil Young ballads («Dark Heart»), go fishing for synth minimalism («Not Even Stevie Nicks»; «Attack El Robot! Attack!») and they look in the mirror of an Ennio Morricone western music ("Close Behind") or of some crooked country song ("Woven Birds"). Down to the border then, following the echo of a Mariachi band ("Across The Wire"); stirring clear of border police ("Dodging the shadows of the border patrol") to end up at the Mexican inn ("Güero Canelo" ) enjoying hot dogs, beer, smoking and ... un beso! There is no time to sleep on it: the lonely tune of "No Doze" (no naps, in fact) announces another trip, who knows up to where. FEAST OF WIRE ends here and obviously I enjoyed mixing up between the titles and the lyrics of the songs: I preferred an emotional approach instead of a logical one, letting the music flow with great pleasure (many pieces are just instrumental) through my soul and catching the words that I liked. My reproach is for not including the lyrics (and this is no small inconvenience for a European audience) while I am puzzled by a few song titles which I could not understand and also by the graphic part of the cover with an excessive superposition of pictures and symbols. Anyway, who knows? Out of my imagination, maybe this absolute graphic-kitsch is tex-mex world for real!

Is 'Feast Of Wire' the best Calexico album? Great breadth of music showing off their influences (folk, Americana, Mariachi, jazz ...) beautiful songs and arrangements, 'Black Heart' gloriously dark and melancholic. I'm more familiar with the band's recent releases 'The Thread That Keeps Us', 'Edge Of The Sun' and 'Algiers', all good; in fact, Calexico seem to get better and better. Any opinions?

Fantastic album...a bit of everything for the muso in you!