Album Review: Calexico's "Carried to Dust"

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Calexico is a town on the border between California and Mexico. It’s also an American band that mixes folk, rock and Latin influences—to name only a few—to create an indie sound rooted in the culture and aesthetics of the Southwest. As I personally don’t know any other indie rock bands that so often incorporate Mariachi horns, at this point I imagine Calexico must have some sort of patent on their use.

Many die-hard Calexico fans found the band’s last album, 2006’s Garden Ruin, to be overly poppy and mainstream (though how mainstream can a band that uses vibraphones, French horns and glockenspiels really be?). Those fans should be pleased with Carried to Dust, the group’s latest release.

A dark and dusty vibe dominates the album, with only a few bright moments peaking through the storm clouds. Although the American band pulls together a south-of-the-border sound (even going so far as to sing a few verses in Spanish), it still feels sincere.

In fact, Carried to Dust has no sense of humor at all. Instead, it is dominated by a slow, dreary vibe that weighs things down considerably. This grim sound is largely due to the dark lyrics and wispy vocals but is reenforced by the moaning sounds of lap steel guitars, reverberating trumpets and plunky guitar lines.

Some of the best moments come on the album’s shorter, lo-fi instrumental songs. "El Gatillo (Trigger Revisited)," an upbeat instrumental that incorporates surf-rock guitar, a Latin horn section and spaghetti western-style whistling, could be straight out of an Ennio Morricone soundtrack.

Carried to Dust is certainly an intriguing and effective record, despite the fact that it brings the listen down. While it is clearly not for everyone, if you are a long time fan of Calexico, or an outlaw biker who does not mind crying in his cerveza, expect to be satisfied.

Further Listening:

Calexico – Spoke
The group’s first record, before they went Mariachi, is sweetly lo-fi.

Songs Ohia – Magnolia Electric Co.
Jason Molina moody’s genius has much in common with Calexico darker moments.

Various Artists – I’m Not There OST
Calexico is all over this soundtrack, backing up the likes of Willie Nelson, Roger McGuinn and My Morning Jacket’s Jim James on a number of Dylan classics.

– Drew Stoga