09-04-2022, 18:38
CALEXICO ~ El Mirador
![[Image: OTktNTkyMC5qcGVn.jpeg]](https://i.discogs.com/SVxxREQMB610MdWfu9_FAlrH4ynh7DAnrFuulNqm8d0/rs:fit/g:sm/q:90/h:539/w:600/czM6Ly9kaXNjb2dz/LWRhdGFiYXNlLWlt/YWdlcy9SLTIyODAx/MDM3LTE2NDk0Mjc1/OTktNTkyMC5qcGVn.jpeg)
They’re back – and on top form! Nobody else sounds quite like ‘em. This album seems a little more sophisticated to me, than some of their previous releases, but don’t let that fool you – their own distinct brand of alt folk/Mex/Americana is 100% intact and there is gusto in spades. They continue to be joyously unfettered by convention and Joey Burns actually sounds stronger, vocally, which is interesting considering we’re all plodding along the same path of passing time! Both he and John Convertino are on the wrong side of fifty-five, and I might be so bold as to suggest that this is one of their best offerings yet.
Perhaps they’ve supplemented their personnel line-up – can’t find a list – they do have a few guest contributors on backing vocals etc., and a co-writer here and there. Their other longtime member, Sergio Mendoza provided them with the studio as well as co-production. They have a great formula going and should never change, IMHO. Sort of like a sonic paella – lots of interesting bits, from the various rhythms to the guitars and ubiquitous blasts of trumpet – they all meld together beautifully while somehow managing to sound uninhibited. The whole thing makes you want to head down to the nearest cantina to swig back tequila and kick up your heels! Great energy – even on the more sober tracks.
I posted “Harness the Wind” in New and Notable but I like it, so … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCwWDPBcXa8
Oh well – that explains it – there are two tracks with Cumbia in the title – a Cumbia is dance that originated in Colombia … here’s one then .. “Cumbia del Polvo” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnlhVZoB5qA
“Constellation” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HTdvYDNR8o
“El Paso” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joFLVDNTdqU
The title track -
They’re back – and on top form! Nobody else sounds quite like ‘em. This album seems a little more sophisticated to me, than some of their previous releases, but don’t let that fool you – their own distinct brand of alt folk/Mex/Americana is 100% intact and there is gusto in spades. They continue to be joyously unfettered by convention and Joey Burns actually sounds stronger, vocally, which is interesting considering we’re all plodding along the same path of passing time! Both he and John Convertino are on the wrong side of fifty-five, and I might be so bold as to suggest that this is one of their best offerings yet.
Perhaps they’ve supplemented their personnel line-up – can’t find a list – they do have a few guest contributors on backing vocals etc., and a co-writer here and there. Their other longtime member, Sergio Mendoza provided them with the studio as well as co-production. They have a great formula going and should never change, IMHO. Sort of like a sonic paella – lots of interesting bits, from the various rhythms to the guitars and ubiquitous blasts of trumpet – they all meld together beautifully while somehow managing to sound uninhibited. The whole thing makes you want to head down to the nearest cantina to swig back tequila and kick up your heels! Great energy – even on the more sober tracks.
I posted “Harness the Wind” in New and Notable but I like it, so … https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GCwWDPBcXa8
Oh well – that explains it – there are two tracks with Cumbia in the title – a Cumbia is dance that originated in Colombia … here’s one then .. “Cumbia del Polvo” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XnlhVZoB5qA
“Constellation” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-HTdvYDNR8o
“El Paso” - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=joFLVDNTdqU
The title track -
"The surest sign that intelligent life exists elsewhere in the universe is that it has never tried to contact us." ~ Bill Watterson
