Reviews (page 5 of 7)
Pleasant
It’s fine. Probs closer to 2.7
It's ok. The mexican influences are interesting, the country ones... aren't. It's drenched in indie sound, which I don't like, but the musicianship and singing is good. 3/5
The "Mexindie" sound isn't for me personally, but pretty solid album nonetheless.
I was kind of digging this at first, but then it sort of petered out for me. I like the little mariachi flavor in some of the tracks....that was different. Good, not great.
i mean it’s good but there were like 4 albums in the list (this one is 205th) that sounded waaaaay too similar to this one 3.5
I didn’t really get this on the first listen. Listening while I was half asleep on a busy bus probably didn’t help. Some interesting moments but nothing really grabbed me, this one will need another listen at some point.
I enjoyed the songs with lyrics, but too much of it was just instrumental.
Decent. Very listenable. Terrible cover art.
Cool Latin altrock!
it was a really pleasant listen not at all what I was expecting, I was sort of The Eagles hits played by the Salvation Army or something but no it was a really nice sound.
This is really good but it didn't really tickle my fancy. It was well done but not 'fun' I guess? I think there is a lot to like here but one listen didn't juice me up.
3.5
3.0
The worst part of this album is the horrendous cover art, but that sets the bar very low. It's pretty standard indie rock of this era with sometimes subtle, sometimes not so subtle, Latin American flair. I think Sufjan Stevens might have been listening to Across the Wire when he wrote Casimir Pulaski Day, so we can give them some influence points. I didn't hate it. I didn't love it. Light 3
Was ok - nothing special for me
Je ne connaissais pas du tout, c'est la première fois que j'entends parler de cet album et de ce groupe. On donc affaire à un genre de country un peu expérimental ? C'est pas facile à classifier, d'autant plus que c'est un album très varié avec des titres qui se détachent bien les uns des autres. Donc difficile à moi de bien en parler, mais c'était fort sympathique.
Vooral instrumentaal deel is mooi
3.1 It was fine. Some songs were enjoyable, some weren't. Most were very inconsequential. One of the (albeit, thankfully rare) times I wonder why it was included in this list. It doesn't seem particularly groundbreaking, didn't seem to help set or turn a genre, and I've never seen anyone reference it even in hipster circles.
Tiene varias instrumentales
It was decent, I enjoyed it especially after that Black Crowes shite
Strange. Not terrible, but just kind of weird vibe.
Flabbergasted that this band are on the list. Not because they're bad - quite the opposite! I've heard so many tedious classic rock albums from the early 1970s that I'd forgotten how great some of the underground bands of the early 2000s were. Americana, alt-country, call it what you like, but there were a few excellent artists updating the sounds of the American south-west around this time. Calexico and The Handsome Family were the two I listened to the most. Both still sound fresh to these jaded ears. Having said all that, this is my least favourite Calexico album. Typical! The Black Light and Hot Rail both enthuse me more than this one.
Quite a strange one here. Some boring, folk-y songs with very simple instrumentation, some clearly mariachi things, and then some more elaborate things which remind me of film soundtracks, perhaps a bit like James Bond themes, even some jazz at the end. Made me pay more attention (at times) than most other albums on this list and that deserves some recognition.
Never heard of this band before. It was a tad pedestrian overall. When I saw reviews with Mariachi bands etc I thought it would have been a lot more punchy than it was sadly.
Interesting album. More listenable for the most part than I expected, though the dnd got away from them a bit. Kind of folky and laid back.
An interesting album for sure. I found myself bopping along to this, but in my opinion it was just alright.
Tex Mex mood music with a dance beat. A unique sound that works most of the time. I like the texture. It's largely nice background music. There areba lot of instrumentals. The second half of the album is a little uneven. The jazz numbers tend to meander. These guys sound best when they go full mariachi. My favorite songs are "Close Behind" and "Black Heart." The song "Not Even Stevie Nicks" kinda sounds like a Bob Welch era Fleetwood Mac outtake. I thought that was fun.
Sounds like it would be on an old Starbucks CD.
I liked the first track, and the more jazzy tracks, but overall I am unlikely to listen to this album again.
Some interesting moments, a bit repetitive, but some diverse influence pulls that are kinda cool. Nice background album.
I liked this album, it was well written and emotionally dynamic.
Wasn't familiar with these guys, but they have a neat sound and I will probably come back to this one in the future.
Songs with words sound exactly like what I would've listened to in 2003. But much of the album is instrumental jazz sort of jam and I don't love those songs that much.
Good, better than i thought it would be
Cool album and not something I'd ever have listened to. This is why I'm doing this. 👍Quattro - Worlds Drift In
Had never heard of this band. Unique sound, decent background music.
Not bad
i mean… it’s alright. just wasn’t feelin’ it.
This album was pretty good, but it was great for background music. Gave good vibes to the day.
𝘍𝘦𝘢𝘴𝘵 𝘰𝘧 𝘞𝘪𝘳𝘦 delivers atmospheric desert rock with strong moods, but its ideas sometimes blur together. Beautiful in places, uneven as a whole.
I enjoyed the tracks that had no vocals.
Very interesting blend of Mexican music and Indie Rock. Does get a bit repetitive at times and there's quite a few instrumentals here. The album cover looks real cheap and ugly to me, so it was a pleasant surprise to figure out that the music inside is better. Still a bit of a forgettable listen.
What an interesting album. Mariachi, Opera, tango, and many other styles can be seen here and honestly it was pretty fun. I feel like some people would hate this but I actually enjoyed the change ups.
This was a pleasant surprise to me, though many of the tracks in its second half seemed pretty forgettable.
Mix of some different genres but still works good
Not bad
The writing, arranging, and performance on "Feast of Wire" are all very accomplished, but it struggles sonically. The first four tracks immediately establish a very downcast mood, and the album essentially sticks to this template throughout. Over its running time of nearly 50 minutes and sixteen tracks, it failed to fully grip me. There are some very good moments, though: the 'James Bond' style strings in 'Black Heart' add a touch of drama, and 'Close Behind' evokes a clear 'Magnificent Seven' soundtrack vibe. A good, pleasant, but ultimately unremarkable listen. Maybe I just wasn't in the right frame of mind for this today? (3/5). 1 "Sunken Waltz" (3/5) 2 "Quattro (World Drifts In)" (3/5) 3 "Stucco" (3/5) 4 "Black Heart" (3/5) 5 "Pepita" (3/5) 6 "Not Even Stevie Nicks..." (3/5) 7 "Close Behind" (3/5) 8 "Woven Birds" (3/5) 9 "The Book and the Canal" (3/5) 10 "Attack el Robot! Attack!" (3/5) 11 "Across the Wire" (3/5) 12 "Dub Latina" (3/5) 13 "Güero Canelo" (3/5) 14 "Whipping the Horse's Eyes" (3/5) 15 "Crumble" (3/5) 16 "No Doze" (3/5) Total - 48 Average - 3 166/1001 92/166 albums reviewed were new to me.
Fine
It always takes me a while to get used to the slower tempo genres. But after a few songs I found that I enjoyed the lead guitar work here, the use of a vast amount of different instruments to create different textures, and the nod to Stevie Nicks
I'll write more about this later. Some good, some cringe, very very 90s alt but also surprisingly epic and very sonically interesting
8, 12
Pretty good
Inoffensive but non-exciting
Trevligt!
Highlight Song/s: Sunken Waltz, Not Even Stevie Nicks and Across the Wire Now this is some music to ride horses to. Trotting in the prairie at nighttime whilst seeing tumbleweeds roll on by. Now to the actual review. This is a solid combination of indie music and western music, this album gives off great vibes; the horns in particular contribute a lot to the vibes. Just kinda wish the album cover was more reflective of the sound, even if having a wild west-like album cover would be cheesy.
I like it well enough. Nothing annoying or bad. BUT, there's not much to love either. Not unique or memorable enough for me to want to come back. I do hear a bit of tex-mex, but I can't go so far as to say Mariachi as some others have. It sounds a little like Havana 3 a.m. to me, but that album has more vigor and fun (and samples) that make it a little more spaghetti-western. Fun! The guy's voice is fine, but doesn't really grab me. The musicians seem fine with their respective instruments, but again nothing sticks out. I'd say I'm happy enough to have heard it as it's better than some of the dreck I've run across on this list. But, it's not going on any of my playlists and probably won't come back to it. <shrug> I'm going to give it a 3 as there's nothing really wrong with it, but it can't get higher because it's mostly like background music.
I heard this album a bunch of times before! When I was in high school, I dated this man who would play this album in his car all the time and I mean all the time! The song 'Not Even Stevie Nicks...' would sound good on the radio between something by Gram Parson & Grandaddy. I pretty much feel about this album the same I feel about that man who seemed to only own one CD. Pretty good, some nice ways to kill time, not without gifts and nothing bad to say but a bit samey all around so I would sooner or later trade it in at the record shop in Berkeley & get a boyfriend with a bigger album collection. We never got together again, and I never heard Feast of Wine again until this morning.
Interesting sound scapes in the first half of the album. Lost me in the second half..
I have never heard this band before. they weren't what I was expecting, in a good way.
This was my first time listening to Calexico, and while I don’t have strong feelings about it, I found myself enjoying the album more than I expected. It’s not necessarily a genre I seek out, but the mix of desert rock, Americana, and cinematic atmosphere worked well. From what I’ve read, Feast of Wire is considered the point where the band really came into their own, and I can see why, as it feels confident and cohesive. I might not go out of my way to revisit it, but if they were on the bill at a show I was at, I’d happily stick around to watch their set.
Didn’t mind this AT ALL. Might even re-listen. Yet, I’ll err on the side of three stars.
Nice enough
Probably makes a good film soundtrack,
I liked it but wasn't blown away. I thought I was going to like it a lot more than I did after a very strong opening. I liked the Latin-sounding ones... the rest weren't as engaging.
Best Track - "Sunken Waltz"
I dig it. Lots of indie rock and Latin infusion.
very smooth and atmospheric, but certainly meaty enough to make me stay interested. certainly sounds Southwestern. an album that only could have come from the arid hills of Southern Arizona deserves to be one of the 1001? iirc The Black Light is the most celebrated album of theirs, but i don't mind this one being the Calexico pick. they deserve a spot. sure
J'ai écouté d'une oreille distraite mais il a tourné en boucle au moins 3 fois, j'ai entendu des trucs cools et des trucs bizarres, un mix un peu chelou mais pas désagréable dans l'ensemble
Pas trop mal came, mais quelques sonorités sympa. 3/5
i'm going to be thinking about this album for weeks - it's the perfect blend of what i HATE... and LOVE... in this genre-scape. some of these songs i can't stand!! some of these songs i can't get enough of!! what's up with that??? the songs that really leaned into the country, acoustic, singer-songwriter bullshit were the ones i was ready to skip (for the most part, if the guy isn't singing, i'm enjoying myself). but the ones that leaned more into jazzy, experimental desert rock were TOTALLY up my alley - i could listen to these songs on repeat for days!! i need to study this album in a lab. i need to analyze it. this is crazy. i love music!! highlights - quattro - world drifts in, black heart, pepita, across the wire, guero canelo
Definitely an alternative mix.
yeah alriught
Not sure what to make of this, honestly. Started off really promising and my ears perked up, then it went in to the mariachi stuff, then it felt like a film soundtrack. They were all interesting in their own way but it does not make for a cohesive album for me
Their instrumental stuff is best.
I bought the prior album "Hot Rail" way back when and it never really clicked. Now I'm older/duller I really enjoyed the vibe - although the actual songs are a bit lacking. Notable that that I song I enjoyed most - Alone Again Or - was a Love cover (much better than the Love version). The album cover is truly shit which shades it down to a 3 for me.
Easy going, back roundish music, inoffensive
jazzy
A surprise (to me) band in the 1001 album challenge Nice to hear trumpets in the mix from time to time I do prefer the songs with lyrics to the instrumentals, and I can see a few of these making it into my collection
3.4 2x
I like the multiple instrumental tracks, especially. It feels like really soft pop, enjoyable but hard to pay attention to. A nice mix of genres. 3/5
ok
Not bad in any way, all the songs are nice and pleasant, but a ton of them feel like half-realized ideas and end up just sounding like interludes. 6/10
3.5 - liked it then lost the mood
I enjoyed it.
Half knock-off Mount Eerie before Mount Eerie, half elevator music on steroids. Overall, could be worse
Of all the 2000s indie bands....Calexico?! This is like the indie version of the Mars Volta, except I doubt they were on any* countdown ever (*I don't watch CMT so maybe they made it there, although this doesn't really seem that country to me). Might as well throw in another Beck album. This behemoth of an album isn't even all on Spotify. Hmph, harumph, etc. Ah well, the sound is fine. Not enough to make me want to listen again, but fine. I like the instrumentals more than the non-instrumentals, I think. No surprise they later go on to record with Iron & Wine, because this is very Iron & Wine-y. Not whine-y, although I wish it were, because then maybe I'd feel something!! I do like the sweeping theatrical turns in parts of the album, but they don't really lead anywhere. Shout out Payne County, though. Highlights: 'Close Behind', 'Attack el Robot! Attack!' (but not the name), 'Across the Wire' (approaching Bright Eyes territory with this one (positive?!)) No serious lowlights, so I guess it wasn't all that bad. Better than your average 3, OK? As an aside, I feel like we've already slogged through so many ho-hum albums that surely the next 800 are gonna be solid gold!! Ha ha...but seriously.
é legal? mas ao mesmo tempo senti uma preguiça inimaginável em algumas músicas mas é legal!!!
primeiramente, vi a capa e torci pra que fosse pop punk. não era. mas não foi ruim não. achei divertidim demais. não voltaria a escutar, mas também nunca escutaria se não tivesse aqui. foi legal!!
At times this was indistinguishable from the YouTube adverts between each track. It's fine as background music. Just a bit beige for me.
Haven't thought about this band in...probably 20 years? They never grabbed me originally because it was this kind of forlorn indie rock type thing that I simply wasn't interested in, so in they went into the stack with a bunch of medium-energy bands that played small venues in the cupboard of my mind. So now, having forgotten pretty much everything about them except that they exist, I get to listen to new ears: and guess what, it's pretty much the same thing. Plumbs a lot of different sounds but still orbits around that early 2000s indie, which makes me want to go explore the southwestern sound more than the indie. I'll admit I played it for my kids in the car because I thought it would be interesting for them, and they didn't hate it. I wouldn't mind listening to this with a beer on a hot day somewhere not the city, but that's not really my life so it'll go back into the stacks. So, y'know, it's good, but I'm docking it a point because I feel like it's at its best when it's country-cum-mexicana and at its worst when it's indie-rock-cum-mexicana, which is what it is most of the time.
Por fin un disco de americana o casi. Influencias mejicanas bien resueltas.
Wasn’t familiar with this band’s music. The first track was enjoyable, but things got a bit less rootsy and more cinematic towards the end, which I liked less. Another album that I would happily give 3.5 stars but can’t quite justify four.
Day609 - eclectic but no song stood out to me
It was okay, weirdly mystical and flamenco-y?
I dug the vibes of this album, and found it interesting and engaging for most of its duration. And while I won't give it an amazing review, I feel like this is pretty favorable considering I immediately rolled my eyes and groaned when I saw the total run time. Double albums are a real gamble. More often than not there is a bunch of fluff that isn't all worth it to hear. Case in point: one of my favorite bands, Wilco, nearly made me quit this website when I had to listen to their double album a.m.. Lije calexico, it's not that it was bad, it's that it was so much of the same, and I just got incredibly bored of it. This album is actually better than that one in that the sound is at least eclectic enough to keep me listening, and the 90 minutes pretty much flew by. I don't get all the five star reviews raving about how great this album is, but it's easily a 3.5 for me.
Good. Lighter and nice songs.
Genre appropriate for what I like. But no wow factor here. This was OK, and a worthy listen, but didn’t get me overly excited.
Pretty decent, but not quite 4 stars good.
A little something for everyone, which means no one feels like they got very much. A lot of the songs are interesting until I realize I’ve wandered to another topic, much like watching the majority of spaghetti westerns (which seem to be their inspiration).
There's quite a bit to like on this. The Latin and western influenced stuff was leaps and bounds better than the plodding downtempo dirges like "The Book and the Canal" or "Not Even Stevie Nicks..." which sounded to me like they were trying to hard to sound like Arcade Fire or some other generic 2000's alt-rock, and the singer's weak voice made me cringe a bit. The instrumentals were superb, however. A valiant effort overall, the vocals were not to my taste but some good musicianship and interesting genre-bending approach.
It's serviceable but not essential indie rock. The mariachi touches are the only distinctive nice bit.
Wilco wannabes doing Mariachi music.
First song slaps. I remember it from back in the day. Rest of the album falls short for me. Was nice to listen to something different. 3/5
u prvih 10ak sekundi dok ne pocne pjevati sam ocekivala nesto drugo i vise fire. ovo kaj je je okeeeeej, neke pjesme su bolje neke su losije kako to vec bude, ali sve u svemu nista osobito memorable. donekle podsjeca na ants from up there od black country new road. also sto album dalje ide to je losiji? idk uglavnom mid
Decent enough, though not standout to us.
This is #day370 of my #1001albumsyoumusthearbeforeyoudie challenge, and… this is a weird one. What started as an indie/alternative rock rolled out into some jazzy Mexican voodoo country shit with Latin undertones, of which "Attack! El Robot! Attack" and "Crumble" are my highlights. Interesting find overall, but I doubt I'd choose to hear this before I die. Let it be a low 3 out of 5. Looking forward to #day371.
Lyttede til det sammen med Frede fordi jeg tænkte det ville være fedt pga blandingen af de mange genre og første gang jeg rigtig lytter til det på denne rejse. Det er post-rock americana som har rødder i amerikanske folkemusik altså country-folk, blues. Det har ofte en historiefortælling. Det er Tex-Mex/mariachi som er præget af blæsere, dansebare rytmer og sådan lidt spansk lyd? Ydermere er det præget af latin jazz hvor latinamerikanske rytmer er indeover. Slutteligt er det nærmest et filmisk lyd/album som jeg rigtig godt kan lide. Meget af albummet er stemningsfuldt og man føler næsten selv man er på grænsen mellem usa og mexico.
Initially this record was very off-putting. The vocals had a very gross cleaness that made me shiver a little bit. The instrumentals brought me back in much more that I thought it would. Nice little Latin rooted songs. Im still not very into the vocals but I ended up liking this pretty decently.
Muy chill la guitarrita en todas. Close behind suena a banda sonora guapa
It was interesting I guess but nothing really blew me away. Nice blend of different sounds and styles. Last half kinda drug on in parts.
alright mexican jass
It's good, just not that remarkable.
Maybe it wasnt the day for it but I just didnt get it. Will relisten
Started off very very bad and I feared for how much I could handle... Actually picked up in places.
Favorite Track: Dub Latina
Tex Mex Artex
had its moments, but some of them were the soundtrack to a pissed guest dancing and whooping to the house band in a nondescript Tex-Mex restaurant and telling the other patrons not so be so boring
It's not terrible music, but not what I would want to listen to. Kind of like a weird slow folk music but with a modern twist. This is the first album on the list I wanted to turn off before it finished.
Es ist ein atmosphärisch dichtes Album mit vielfältigen Klängen zwischen Americana und Mariachi. Trotz spannender Ideen wirkt es manchmal überladen. Mutig, aber nicht ganz rund.
Great stuff. World music with lots of pop sensibilities. Great harmonies.
Strong and fun album. I'll probably give this a second listen to save my favorite songs. Strong 3.5 stars
I’ve never heard of Calexico or this album before, and I have no idea what this album is going to sound like. The album cover is intriguing, and makes me think that this will have some Tejano or southwestern flare to it. I can’t wait to see what’s in store! I wasn’t wowed by Feast of Wire, but I thought it was a unique rock album, and it was pretty enjoyable to listen to. The sound was really varied, but the album still felt very cohesive, and it never once got to wrapped up in trying to sound like one particular genre more than another. The gentle vocals and solid musicianship helped this album to be enjoyable, and I liked that the music sounded open, which allowed these songs to develop and blossom. I was shocked to read that the guys in the band were once with Giant Sand, whose Chore of Enchantment I absolutely hated. I wouldn’t say that I had a favorite song on this album, but I did think that the songs that leaned more heavily on the mariachi sound, like “Close Behind” and “Across the Wire” sounded great, and they really stood out from the rest of the album. I don’t know that I would listen to this album again, but I appreciate the unique listening experience that it was.
Suprisngly very good, well made, good sound, not my exact thing but really enjoyed it
3/5
i'd give this 3.5 if i could but with that option gone, i'm going to be brutal and stick to 3. it was a nice, enjoyable listen, just not particularly memorable
ok ok
Easy listening
Pretty typical Calexico. I like most of their stuff, though I don't think this is their best album.
Classic example of don’t judge an album by its cover. I didn’t look at the genre before diving in, and was expecting something much more upbeat. Was surprised to be met with Decemberist vibes and a little bit of Americana twang.
Mariachi Mystery Orchestra 🌵🏜️ I really like the way this album creates a world of its own and pulls you right in. When I was 13, I tried writing a coming-of-age thriller novel that took place in Flagstaff, Arizona. This would have been the perfect soundtrack to it: Desert Noir, starring Pedro Pascal.
Enjoyed the mix between folk and more traditional Latin sounds. Liked a couple songs at the end but not a fave
Didn’t match the album cover vibes which was a surprise. Liked it overall, more than I expected, but not a favorite.
Not bad. Was truthfully too stressed to listen to well lol
Thought this album ended in a very different place from where it started. Enjoyed a couple songs: Not Even Stevie Nicks, Güero Canelo. The mariachi was interesting but sometimes felt tacked on.
Tunes for cruising the Mojave Desert, I like it!
Iron and Wine/Trampled by Turtles vibes? Indie folksy guitar and singing but some Western themes with the trumpets. And then jazz?
This was great, somewhat hit or miss, but I think I'll come back to it. Really enjoyed the sound.
middle of the road
I liked bits of this, and I admire when groups can take on different sounds, but as an album it was lacking the kind of consistency that would bring me back time and time again.
I knew of this band, but had never listened to them. I can’t believe how much an album I never heard could sound like an old friend. Sure, there were a lot of midtempo, Americana bands of this time, but unlike a lot of trend jumpers, Calexico avoids tropes and relies on solid songwriting that is too big for banjosploitation and decorative accordion. This is more in the realm of Bob Dylan, R.E.M., and Wilco than the depression-era reenactors who littered the early 2000s landscape.
Great but most of the songs sound the same
I've never heard any of these songs before but this album is neat. My favorite song has to be "The Book and the Canal". The rest of the songs were fine but nothing very remarkable to me.
Notes: Interesting and unheard until today.
A mostly enjoyable record with some real 5-star highlights, including the moody James Bond stylings of standout track “Black Heart.” But the album ultimately trips over itself with its broad eclecticism - moving from Americana to Latin to Country. As a result it feels less coherent than it otherwise could have been.
Looking back, maybe there was too much indie folk rock in the 2010’s
Good indie album but probably wont return to it ever. 2.6/5 Favorites: Quattro - World Drifts In,
Like the cali connection
3.5 First time listening to this album? Bit Za fan of Calexico’s other work. Not my favourite of theirs, but still a great listen.
Some really good tracks mixed in with some forgettable/background tracks
Gut, aber komische Genre Mischung und das Cover auch voll unpassend
Indie rock/alt-country. There's mellow vocals, an occassional Latino flavour to the music and waltzes abound. I get the feeling people who wear braces and checkered shirts would love this band. I saw them live and they were boring - this album does tend to drag as all the tracks are of a similar pace and tempo. Plus it could use some editing. Best Tracks: Sunken Waltz; Quattro - World Drifts In; Black Heart
Well, it’s perfectly pleasant, if a little bland. I suspect this may benefit from multiple listens, but unfortunately what I listened to isn’t making me want to rush back.
This was pretty good. Pleasant mostly upbeat. Some variety. Maybe listen again.
This is wholly new to me, I only have the vaguest recollection of even hearing of Calexico. I really like the arrangement and instrumentation; lots of great lap/pedal/slide guitar, which I'm a sucker for.
Good
Started really good but second half it dropped off massively
I enjoyed this album and its mashup of genres and sounds. Possibly the worst album cover I have ever seen?
The indie sound is intriguing with the lesser used instruments such as accordion, organ, and mandolin. Interesting enough to listen twice. However, it feels like there is a bit of organization or direction missing.
Really not my speed, but something undeniably enchanting about the whole thing. Feel like I just spent a couple hours with a stranger I met at a gas station of the 210 divining insights from lines in the desert sand.
I'm familiar with Calexico from their Alone Again Or cover and the album Carried to Dust. I was surprised to see that they have quite an extensive back catalogue. I like that Calexico have quite a distinct sound. It sounds very true to their locale. At times I do find it a little boring though. The vocals have a nice timbre and at times some lush harmonies, but they can also feel like lacking a bit of character at times. Fave Tracks: Pepita, Not Even Stevie Nicks..., Guero Canelo 3.2/5
there's some really interesting and unique stuff here - indie rock with a bit of a south of the border flair, but unfortunately is it marred down by, quite frankly, a lot of kind of boring stuff. there's potential here, but i don't think it meets it.
not particularly memorable but more than tolerable
7.5/10
After the last few terrible selections, this is pleasantly non-awful. Not great or anything, but at least listenable without Maalox.
has highs and lows but overall a good listen
Cool but won’t come back
It was ok not great but not bad. I debated between 2.5 and 3 stars but it made me want to listen to a Doug Sahm record so I'll throw in the extra half star
i know its good im just not smart enough to enjoy it a cool jazz rock fusion coffee shop vibe with mike meyers doing beat poetry in a north beach bar
3 -interesting, but not for me
Unknown band for me. Good music especially the instrumental. Overall a good album.
Well assembled collection of songs. There was an interesting mix of songs which I appreciated. It was a little slow.
Bizarre title aside, Feast of Wire is most certainly an interesting album. I think that another name for this album could be "Sounds of a Mexican Restaurant" because a lot of these songs definitely sound like something you would hear from a Mexican restaurant which kinda does make sense seeing as this band is from Southern US. The album itself does sound pretty good, it mainly flip-flops between songs with vocals and solely instrumental songs. Most of these songs are handled well and do have their fair share of interesting elements beyond the Mexican sounding stuff but i don't really think are memorable enough to be elevated beyond the good status. Best Song: Black Heart Worst Song: Pepita
Correcto
The horrible album cover almost stopped me from giving this album a chance, but I really enjoyed it. Atmospheric indie rock with a little country/folk element to it. Good stuff.
Yeah, I guess that as one of my first attempts at listening to more Spanish-flavoured music, it's kind of good.
Day 7 gives me my first new artist! This one is hard to rate after 2-3 listens through. I think if i spend some more time with it it may become a 4 but atm its a strong 3. I adore Not Even Stevie Nicks… ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Really nice mix between different genres. 3.5/5
A jack of all trades and a master of none.
Ein nettes Album welches mir nicht in Erinnerung bleiben wird.
I’ve heard of these and I think and even gave them a listen many years back. They are definitely a critics favourite and are pleasant enough to listen to but once again they don’t really grab me. The singer lacks a distinctive voice, like Stipe, as they remind me a bit of REM but without the bite! Background music for me, but good background music!
Reasons why I'm enjoying this app experience #43. I get exposed to cool records I could've and should've listened to ages ago that haven't grown stale in the intervening years. Dug this a couple times yesterday and enjoyed it thoroughly
A solidly good album. Loved the opening waltz, but it didn't pick up much traction with me after that until the second half. It didn't match up with my expectations going in, so I think it would be good to give it a second listen now knowing that it's such a genre-spanning album.
it's got a nice latin feel to it
Feeling like main character syndrome whilst listening to this on the train, i’m not really sure what i was expecting going into this album (especially seeing the album cover yikes) but i was pleasantly surprised. Its lost me a bit on some songs, but mainly just my personal preference of enjoying lyrics in songs. Sunken waltz was pretty good and i don’t think any of the songs are necessarily bad, but i wouldn’t go out of my way to listen to them. It would be cool to salsa well.
i started off thinking this album sounded like the kinda thing someone would show you saying “it’s the most influential album they’ve ever listened too” but they only felt that way because they listened to it while their life was already changing the way any life does, but i ended up enjoying parts of it. the first few songs didn’t really grab me and i started scrolling twitter halfway through the album but i ended up really enjoying it as a background to my doomscrolling, and there really is a variety of songs here, although sometimes to the detriment of my enjoyment, the transition from the book and the canal to attack el robot attack really threw me and i didn’t like it, but overall pretty enjoyable. wish i could do 3.5 but 4 seems like a stretch
This album has the perfect amount of variety, where it's same-y enough to have a cohesive mood but it's not boring or repetitive. I don't like a lot of early 00s albums so I was on the fence with this one (I hate those big-room echo-y drums that they all seem to use) but I didn't hate it as much as I thought I would. Definitely has movie soundtrack vibes which I like. But seriously, this is one of the ugliest album covers I've ever seen in my life. Who in their right mind pairs light grey with electric blue, pink and red?? I liked close behind, attack el robot! attack! and guero canelo
A smörgåsboard of sounds and genres that, like the chosen metaphoric image would suggest, does not necessary amount into a cohesive meal, though each one is good enough on its own.
Unique which is good but it falls short of great. Definitely listenable and Crumble is a very good song. Maybe the mix of mariachi trumpets and accordions kind of messes up my listening experience. Still, glad I was exposed to it.
I didnt know this but from the first few bars i felt at home. Excellent alt indie with a breadth and scope that is justified by the music and the ideas. A bit ling to digest in one day but i will return to this.
S odmakom hype oko ovog benda s početka nultih mi nije baš jasan. Imali su jebenih trenutaka i puno praznog hoda. Ovaj album je možda najsimptomatičniji pokazatelj te tvrdnje
lite framtungt och lite för långt. men ganska intressant sound. mariachi indie
Calexico is so hard to categorize. This album blends good indie rock with Mexican/latin sounds.
Interesting mix of sounds on this album. Would do a 3.5 for the ambition but I’m not sure it was super well executed.
Wildly inconsistent album. Some amazing experiments in combining genres but also some undercooked sketches and indie snore-fests. Sunken Waltz is like a more southern inflected Pogues. But also its like a more shit Pogues. I hate the Pogues. Calexico, I'll do you a deal, everytime your album reminds me of the Pogues it loses a star. Quattro gets a bit more interesting with the occasional horn blast and reverb drenched guitar floating over the top. Black Heart is the only thing I'd listen to again. A country-inflected noir number reminiscent of Glory Box by Portishead. A lot of the songs either feel like sketches (Pepita, The Book and the Canal, Dub Latina) Soemtimes the attempts to blend styles fail, Not Even Stevie Nicks can't really escape from the 2000s indie mire. Close Behind is one of the better tracks, with spaghetti western accordion and steel guitar and a 6:4 time signature. Woven Birds and Across the Wire are just re-hashes of Sunken Waltz. The better tracks are the ones that give the horns a bit of a spin. Attack! El Robot! Attack! is rescued from the indie mire by its sultry sax lines. Guero Canelo is a fun norteno tribute to a fast food restaurant in Tucson, with Burns rapping into a drive-through delivery box. Alone Again stays fun by leaning into the norteno side of things. Almost ready to forgive one of the Pogues songs. Crumble is a great tribute to Lalo Schifrin. No Doze is far more boring than a trip across the desert. The album is saved in the second half for sure, but I've already soured on it by then. Could have used a few more months in the oven.
not bad
Huh
FT
This was pretty good. Eclectic mix of styles.
This album kind of grew on me-liked all of the Mexican influences and horns. The lead singer sounds like a drip of a white wanky indie rock tool, but the instrumentals were pretty good. Glad I listened to the whole thing-not sure I’d revisit, but it wasn’t as bad as I was expecting. I’d give it 2.5 if I could.
Desert Spanish holiday soundscapes. Not super my cup of tea would work awesome in films and I can appreciate it.
291/1001 🌕🌕🌕🌑🌑
got more into it towards the end of the album
Dont remember it all that well tbh
Recognized one song from a Robert Plant/Allison Kraus record and got so excited!
Cool album with some good songs and intrumentals - latin/mexican jazz rock Favorite track: Quattro other picks: sunken waltz, black heart, guero canelo, crumble
Started strong. Finished weakly. So much potential.
Y'know, right off the bat, let me be 100% with my problem with this album: it's indie rock. As much as I'd want my take on this album to be more complicated than that, it's really not. I mean, indie rock is— jus'... I'unno. It's not even the genre I have the most trouble with. Generally, I feel like I still have more problems with shoegaze and post-punk for how actively and purposefully unappealing they can try to be. But, goodness me, can this genre ever be the most boring whiff of nothing sometimes. Like, more often than not, I'm honestly not even sure what the appeal's supposed to be. I can't even fathom a guess at why people would go so hard for indie rock. And if listening to three Arcade Fire albums won't give me any clues, I don't know how anything can, let alone this album. I really do wish this album had leaned into its other genre way more: tejano (or "Tex-Mex," as the album's Wikipedia page called it). Heck, it's what I was hoping this album would be more, 'coz if I've learned anything from watching MACHETE, I really like this kind of music. Whenever this album goes all out with the horns and the accordion, that's when it's great. If the whole thing were like this, honestly, I'd hafta restrain myself from giving it a perfect 5. But I'unno. There was too much stuff on here that I could only think of as "just boring indie rock" that, frankly, it kind of spoiled the mood. I mean, heck, give one to the thought that I spent two paragraphs on indie rock before I even brought up tejano music. More than anything, I come out of this album a bit mixed and honestly disappointed. I was really looking forward to this being something like, I'unno, The Pogues, where it's this really rippin' national sound and it's absolutely **amazing**. Instead, even when I got what I was looking for, I was still a bit too busy groaning at the stuff I wasn't to fully enjoy it. So... A 3, I guess? This shoulda been way more my alley, goodness... And seriously, what is with this album cover? Lookin' like some kinda "recolored screenshot" deviantART OC. I swear.
A few really good tracks, bit too disjointed and too many instrumentals. 3 stars
Real ho hum alt-country that leans too heavily into the mariachi and kinda unravels past the halfway stage. Does feature Black Heart which is a sterling, surreptitious string sloshed mega high point. Bit bonkers how no other track here comes slightly close to matching it for quality. Generally these are songs that are fit for making an OK soundtrack to Breaking Bland.
Better than I expected. Pretty enjoyable.
When I opened this album up straight after reviewing the last album, gotta be honest. was a little disappointed. The first track SUCKS. however as the album goes on... it does get better. I do love the completely different styles, showcased in songs like "Close Behind", which gives like Video Game music vibes, like something out of Xenoblade, which gave me a little shock. Oh and when "The Book and the Canal" came on, WOOOOOOOAHHHHHH did it give me chills, such a beautiful piano and string section melody, would fit right into WALL-E. Could they PLEASE change the album cover please, that sucks so much. Trumpets are very sick tho.
A very experimental album, with a lot of American and Spanish influences that creates a different perspective on music then a lot of the music on this list. Some really good interesting parts of the album that showed brilliance like Crumble and Guero Canelo but there were some parts that just didn’t hit the mark. Favourite song - Crumble
Glad I finally gave them a chance
Nicely arranged songs, instrumentals in particular are lush and easy to lose yourself in. Nice variety of influences and mixture of genres. Probably wouldn't listen to this again as it's a little passive but enjoyed my time with it
Met een legioen aan toeters en bellen kom je wel in de Latino sferen met deze muziek. Het zit alleen altijd op het randje van het potsierlijke vind ik. Ik zie een soort Looney tunes of Disney figuurtjes voor me, die natuurlijk ook karikaturen zijn, en dan midden in de woestenij van Arizona op een kruispunt staan te toeteren. Wiki omschrijft er ook Tex-Mex bij, waar ik dan weer eerder aan die pakjes en zakjes uit de supermarkt denk, waarmee je taco's en burrito's kan maken. Oftewel, ik neem het allemaal allesbehalve serieus. Terwijl de muzikanten en onze grote boze snobs het volgens mij juist wel serieus nemen. En daar wringt de schoen voor mij. Als je namelijk door die toeters lekkere vrolijke muziek wil maken en een feestje wil bouwen, helemaal top, vooral doen. Maar indie muziek maken, high brow. Meh, dat pakt me niet helemaal. Ik vind het niet slecht ofzo, maar dit is niet mijn smaak verder. Typische festivalmuziek voor in een kleine tent om 14.00 uur smiddags, waar je dan met een burrito in je bek naar kan zitten luisteren.
Relaxed, varied and straightforward songs.
3-4
Need more listens to really get it
Nortec did it better.
Interesting mix of the styles, but it's not something that I can really connect with. The kind of album I'd put for background music while drinking whiskey and smoking cigars.
Not as bad as expected! A pretty decent record, but it still shouldn't be on this list.
Except for a few songs, nothing really stands out, but... It's great all the way through. Very pleasant and moody listen!
Overall: 5/10 Well, that is easily the worst album cover I've come across so far, and it doesn't even fit the music. I was expecting some sort of hip hop project but this is more latin/country/indie rock. While I enjoy some of the songs, I don't really see a reason why this was included in the list. I ended up zoning out on multiple occasions which is rare for me with music. Unless you're hardcore taking this list seriously, I would recommend just skimming through this one. Fav Song: Black Heart Least Fav Song: Güero Canelo
Better than I expected - songs are better than the album cover, don’t worry.
This is like an indie mariachi soundtrack machine. I've never heard of them but this is pretty skillfully put together. I found it an easy listen and did enjoy it. I'm not sure I could see me hunting it to put on again but if it was on I wouldn't mind at all. Probably could've give them a deeper listen but I lacked the time for more than one.
Better than expected
Indiezinho legal
Was okay. Felt more folk than country (as it was labeled as alternative country), which made me like it more.
6/10 - I liked the beginning and then the middle was strange as the singing mostly stopped and then the end was even more weird when some of the singing returned. Idk it was just kind of strange as it evolved
Started out fine, got a bit boring and repetitive
Hab's beim Hanteltraining gehört - Nicht zu empfehlen, also fürs "Beim Training hören", sehe es eher im "Beim Putzen hören"-Segment. N paar gute Songs, n paar schlechte Songs = 3/5 Sterne
Eigentlich ganz angenehm zu hören. Herausgestochen ist aber auch kein Lied.
Ja, war okay, aber auch nichts was herausgestochen hat, wo ich dachte, okay das muss auf jeden Fall in die 1001 besten Alben. Songs der Playlist hinzugefügt: Keine
I like these guys. Good music, but waiting for an epic breakout. At this point, it will likely never come.
A bit nothingy!
A wild album that I have never encountered before.. first of all, really cool cover. Some really interesting instrumental cuts, some jazzy, some straight out of a western score - honestly, in a much more modern/indie rock/Conor Oberst kinda context, this reminded me of that Byrds country album that came up on this list before, as a capsule of all things Americana. Weird but pretty enjoyable, I gotta say!
The variety of genres and the instrumentals were nice!
erm i did not get it really ... white indie rock dudes who make mexican music ?
интересная музыка, хороший микс из стилей. есть тут что то что можно изучать
Pleasant eclectic album with enough to maintain interest throughout.
Based on their Spotify photo and this album cover, I thought these guys were going to be a techno or EDM band. Nope. Complete opposite. I’m having a hard time putting these guys into a specific musical class. It’s more of a Placebo grouping. Wherever they are placed on the musical genre scale. I’m pleasantly surprised with this one. I have an issue with the lack of passion in the singers voice but it does fit with the music. The music sort of sets one tone and rolls with it. You could put this one before going to bed and it would lullaby you as you needed it. Choice cut: Black Heart
this was cool, didn't know what to expect and it delivered well but nothing crazy. 7/10
The only Calexico song I knew before was The Crystal Frontier which I thought was great so I was quite excited to hear this Have they made an album of songs as good as that? In short, no. But there’s still a lot to enjoy here The soundscape - widescreen indie TexMex - is fantastic but there’s no songs as immediate as the Crystal Frontier So call it a low 4 that frustratingly could have been a classic if the songs were a little stronger Edit - actually it’s a 3
I wish this was more mariachi and less Portlandia indie twee. Pepita and Dub Latina are pretty. But most of this is pretty boring. It’s like low energy Arcade Fire. Or, like, slow zydeco. It’s not bad, just not my thing. The instrumentals are the best parts.
Nog een vraag toevoegen voor het eindejaarslijstje? 'Welke albumhoes komt het minst overeen met de muziek op datzelfde album?' Wat een monstrosity, en hij bereidt je - gelukkig - op geen enkele manier voor op wat er komen gaat. Ik kende de band niet, en ik associeerde de naam alleen met de ludieke twin cities aan de USA/Mexico border ''Calexico'' en ''Mexicali''. Ironisch, als je bedenkt hoe totaal niet grappig dat grensgebied is. Anyway, een klein vooronderzoekje en ik was best hyped. Indie rock met een latino flavor. En al snel tijdens de luisterbeurt kun je de band plaatsen in het indie hoekje van Wilco, Band of Horses en Midlake. Prima, maar ik miste die unieke draai tot het middenstuk van het album. In de eerste fase voegt de 'mariachi' twist weinig toe, en is het ronduit fletse folk rock. Maar dat verandert vanaf 'Black Heart', waar de balans tussen spaghetti-western en indie rock precies juist lijkt. Heel atmosferisch, en een beetje southern gothic in de stijl van The Handsome Family. Mij heb je. Vanaf dat moment begrijp ik de hype in de review-sectie wel, en is het op het eerste gehoor wel een unieke sound in de scene. Wat interessant is is dat de plaat dus echt wel heel rockerig begint, maar langzaamaan steeds meer latin wordt. Het evolueert echt, wat een leuke luisterervaring oplevert. Het is allemaal niet echt onvergetelijk, maar het is wel een band waar ik wat dieper in ga duiken. 7,5/10 Highlights: Black Heart Woven Birds Across the Wire (Lijkt enorm op 'Waves of Fear' van Lou Reed)
Engaged, doesn’t keep its promise.
normal 2,5
ta bien, es un 3,5. Es un lindo viaje pero tampoco me llamó muchísimo la atención
Nothing to hate and little to like. Weird genre mix.
... ???
I'm sure this band has their fans, but this album feels like an album that you're meant to like if you're cool. Wikipedia gives the genre as Indie Rock / Americana / Tex-Mex / Alternative Country which gives you some idea of the strange mixture of musical styles, especially as I'd also throw in Folk and Jazz as well.
I know Sam Beam hung with these guys back in the day, and you can kind of see the influence. It doesn't do a lot for me, but I appreciate it.
This is a cool album. Definitely worth a revisit when the vibe is needed.
apparently my taste has evolved as this indie rock album captured me pretty quick. They were times (opening few songs ) and the instrumentals around attack el robot which made me consider a high score here Unfortunately the vocals are ultimately underwhelming and some of the songs in the middle sound repetitive and lost my for a bit. I can see myself replaying this a few times but not ultimately a special one , landing at a 3
Very cool, a diverse blend of cultural sounds layered through some indie pop kinda songs. Enjoyed it
At least it's something different than usual from this list (I don't know if I'm starting to hate this challenge). Although this album itself falls a bit in the second part. Still it's an album definitely worth listening to.
This was really good
Don't remember much of it and I listened to it yesterday.
I don't know where I sit with this album. I liked a lot of it, and I do feel like I'm likely to listen to more Calexico going forward (I'd never heard of them before today) but I think the album would be a lot stronger with a different vocalist. The melodies hit the right spot for me, and sometimes the vocals did as well, but more often than not I felt that the vocals detracted from the song
The country-rock fusion is quite a hard one to pull off, but this is a really solid attempt at it. Some of these songs have such amazing riffs with genuinely passionate and emotional vocals, while some can really drag on a bit. If you take out some of the less interesting filler tracks, this could be an all time classic.
I didn't finish it, there were a few tracks I enjoyed, but as a whole not my favorite.
I liked some of the songs a lot, but a lot were just fine.
Wasn't a fan at the beginning but the last half was pretty good.
A lot of different genres on the album which is fun. Nothing that sticks out a ton though.
This is the first album in quite some time to really surprise me with a sound I haven’t heard before. Moody, atmospheric, and occasionally hopeful with looming dread, it comes off as a mood setter and something deeper than your average album. My closest frame of reference is a southwestern version of Low Roar’s flavor of folk. Something oddly ethereal and emotional but with a bit more roughage around the edges. The instrumentals make me want to go to the southwest and take a road trip through the middle of nowhere. If a handful of these songs haven’t already been used for soundtracks in television or film, those studios are missing out on some great stuff.
This was fairly interesting, I’d give it a 3.5
Attack! El Robot! Attack! and Black Heart were cool. Nice atmosphere
Never heard of them before, the album wasn’t bad
3.5
3/5
I liked parts of Feast Of Wire, the first song sounded quite similar to some of the more recent Dropkick Murphys efforts to reinvent Woody Guthrie's music, there's some latin-adjacent stuff that leaps out of the speakers, and the other stuff is decent and tells a story even if they lose me a bit when it gets too dreamy. Nice 3.
Enjoyed this, even if it wasn't outstanding. Relatively easy listening, nice mix of Latin beats with American indie (the singer gives real Bright Eyes vibes in places). Could've done with a bit more bite and energy in places - it does that better in the more instrumental tracks, but needs a bit more oomph to elevate it above the 3/5 that I'm giving it.
From the album cover thought this was going to be a completely different genre. Enjoyed it
I enjoyed it...I think.
It was a very surreal experience
This was a new band for me, it was ok
A pretty interesting album that grew in uniqueness the longer it went on. A lot of different varied sounds. Sounded like Sufjan Stevens at some points and then totally different in others. Nothing to rave about but glad it was included here. 6/10 (3/5)
Never thought I’d find an Indie band that wasn’t complete crap, but the mix of Latin music, and a vocalist that doesn’t sound like he’s a boy or suicidal makes for some fine listening
Feast of Wire? I left hungry.
chillinkin ja waibailun min-maksimointia... east of ire..., hei olen alexi äxällä.... omankaltaisuuutta löyttyy jonkin verran tosiaan ihan kiinnostavaa kuunneltavaa tossaja hyvältonkin verran tosiaan ihan kiinnostavaa kuunneltavaa tossaja hyvältonkin verran tosiaan ihan kiinnostavaa kuunneltavaa tossaja hyvältonkin verran tosiaan ihan kiinnostavaa kuunneltavaa tossaja hyvältä kuulostaa jäpikät pojat. silti tarpeeksi poppipaskaa että porukka fiilaa... iilimatoi pilis... suhun ihastuin... pörriäisii korvis... kikkeleit... pippeleit... kullei... kyrpii... syylii jortikas.... crumble
Quite an enjoyable listen, and a band I wasn't previously familiar with. A little esoteric at times though.
Not at all what I expected, but was a pleasant album.
Solid music that was enjoyable to listen to. It did fade into the background at times and wasn't the most engaging at times. Not something I will be coming back to much but enjoyable enough to not want to avoid.
Creates a nice atmosphere.
Refreshing album in this sea of British nonsense. I liked the mix of musical styles and even the odd lyrics but the instrumentals are always a minus for me. Overall a decent album, probably deserves a second listen.
This was different in a good way
This was nice. My mind was a little distracted with other things at the time, but this wasn't bad.
Some parts were kinda cool, like a Southwestern version of Wilco. As a whole, it didn't really ever take off.
Indie rock, country alternativo. Ni fu ni fa.
More detached indie rock, I can dig it
This was nice enough, not something I’m likely to return to though.
Nice surprise! There are a lot of good songs on here, and it flows well as an album. After just one listen it's hard to say how good it really is and whether I'll revisit it often.
A little different, but actually quite good.
Decent and surprising
This is a decent album, well produced, easy listening, and nothing outstanding bad. I've seen their name before, but as they have a connection to Germany, that is no real surprise. But, alas, not really the music I fancy.
Star-crossed relationship with this band ever since their EP w/ Iron+Wine slid behind my built in record cabinet, sending it to the depths of Mordor before I even got to listen to it five times. They do a really good job of evoking the American southwest, from their name to the instrumentation to the lonesome sounds that remind me of epic drives across a desert landscape. I prefer their instrumentals to the vocal tunes as to me this is essentially mood music and the words get in the way, as Gloria Estefan once sang.
Good album, kind of see-sawed between being kind of basic and uninteresting, to being experimental and engaging. I liked the songs that were more unconventionally structured, not so much the more straightforward songs.
I felt like I was listening to the score for a Robert Rodriguez movie for most of this, though this gets long in the tooth sooner than any of his movies do
Was actually not bad, a bit repetitive though. So won't be listening to this again in the future and also won't be looking out for any other albums by Calexico.