CALEXICO

CALEXICO
THE BOOK AND THE CANAL (2005)
256 KBPS

Calexico's 2005 album, "The Book and the Canal," marks a change in their sound. Their overt southwestern style has been subdued by more jazz and rock elements. While several of the tracks still have the old familiar Calexico sound, it's obvious that the band is experimenting with new recording and songwriting techniques. Their former releases which used to be characterized by their very clean and almost live sound, now includes more distortion, reverb and vocal delays. Their new line up now includes piano, it hasn't in the past, and their signature brass section has been limited to a single appearance on the final track," One Last Panoramic." Several of the songs, such as "Unter Unserem Himmel" and "Electric Relay" sound more like The Mars Volta than Calexico with lengthy instrumental breakdowns and the occasional noise-based soundscape. While some of these works create an accessible ambiance, some are confusing and tempt the listener to skip the track upon first hearing. The album proves that Calexico has grown and evolved as a band, and it bodes well for their future artistic efforts.

1. Half a Smidge
2. What's a Little Wait
3. Griptape
4. Muddy Meadow
5. Near the Woodpile
6. Unter Unserem Himmel
7. Painted Over
8. Electric Relay
9. Ghostwriter
10. Dredging
11. Heavy With the Bass
12. Arco Chato
13. Break to Barranca
14. Kiss and Tell
15. In the Cut
16. Drag Storm Around
17. One Last Panoramic