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Calexico

Garden Ruin

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by exTulsan on 05/31/2006

I liked this album a lot. I think I liked the Calexico / Iron & Wine album "In The Reins" a tiny bit more...but not quite sure yet. Overall, this album is quite upbeat and catchy. And comes with a lot of great sounds that I associate with Calexico: lapsteel, arco bass/cello, acoustic guitar, trumpet arrangements, and brushes -- one of my favorite instrumentations. The first three tracks "Cruel", "Yours And Mine", and "Bisbee Blue" are a perfect example of this and great starters to boot-- really catchy, mellow, countryish numbers that are kind of similar in style with the material from "In The Reins". Things get even more interesting on track 4, with "Panic Open Strings". This one's sweet and beautiful verse reminds me of a melody from Jim O'Rouke's "Eureka". Also, this songs ends and after a short pause there is a fantastic little string transition into the next track. Next, "Letter To Bowie Knife" seems to open with a little intro meant to remind us of track 1, and then takes a completely different direction and totally ROCKS OUT. "Lucky Dime" is a little jazzier track which utilizes instruments like wurlitzer and electric jazz guitar. But still there's something about the vocals and harmonic vocabulary that brings to mind a tinge of an Elliott Smith vibe (to me at least). Anyway, I think it's great. "Smash" is perhaps the softest song on the album, and is so fucking pretty (pedal steel, acoustic guitar, and mallets make the special recipe here.) And with this song, again, Calexico does an unusual and unexpected little reverse reverb transition into the next track, which is very tasty. The album ends with very energetic pop song which builds to a sonic noise improv soundscape which makes for a nice dramatic closing. Overall, this record is probably one of the more approachable albums by Calexico. And actually, all the melodies seem especially familar and influenced by great pop melodies from the past......there were several moments in this record where I asked myself "what hit song does this reminded me of?"

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Album Details

Year: 2006
Label: Quarterstick
Producer:
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by pirategenius on 05/16/2006

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Tracklist

1	Cruel
2	Yours and Mine
3	Bisbee Blue
4	Panic Open String
5	Letter to Bowie Knife
6	Roka
7	Lucky Dime
8	Smash
9	Deep Down
10	Nom De Plume
11	All Systems Red

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