Hot Rail
click the image to get it in cd-cover size
| Release Date: |
November 30, 1999 |
| Label: |
Quarter Stick |
| Rating: |
4.5 |
Description: John Convertino and Joey Burns spend a good portion of their time playing with their friend Howe Gelb in the once prolific Giant Sand. But as contractual obligations--or, perhaps, contractual constraints--forced the band to lay off from time to time, it gave the backing boys plenty of time to pursue their own interests as Calexico. Much like Giant Sand, Calexico play a loose game, as likely to pursue Tom Waitsesque instrumentals (lots of shiny metallic percussion everywhere) as an abstract, countrified songwriting muse. The addition of horns and violin for the opening instrumental, "El Picador," and the distorted Spanish guitar of "Muleta" suggest that they've spent time well below Calexico's border. Twangy guitar riffs abound, and when pressed into tunes they highlight the duo's capacity for understated songwriting ("Ballad of Cable Hogue," "Service and Repair") that not so surprisingly sounds much like Giant Sand themselves.
--Rob O'Connor
Tracklist of Hot Rail
Reviews:
El Mariachi
For those who like Ennio Morricone and western spaghettis, Calexico may be an interesting band worth checking out. Their southern sound is cool, stylish and moody enough to deserve a listen. However, "Hot Rail" isn`t a great record, as it is too long, repetitive and not very diverse. There are some good songs to be found here, like "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" or "Service and Repair", but the album is mostly a collection of instrumental soundscapes and part of them are filler material. As mildly pleasant background music it`s alright, though it doesn`t have much more to offer.
Highly diverse and sonically pleasing.
While many reviewers will give comparisons of surf-music and Morricone influences, Burns and Convertino show greater depth and artistic push than was apparent when in Friends of Dean Martinez. I'm a fan of both and the divergence of style and musicianship is apparent on both bands' later works. The flavoring of the music and its divergent styles reminds me of both Sir Douglas Quintet and that of Los Lobos. Calexico has matured with each record pushing their sound further and defining a distinct sound that no longer relies on a "genre" but pushes instead the boundaries of border music and what it is. FODM have relied more heavily on the electronic influences creating a modern urban soundtrack. Calexico digs deeper and finds the dust on the small towns and back roads. Its like the difference between Santa Fe and Taos, NM. They have similar roots but the modern influences have been absorbed diffently creating unique interpretations of the Southwest and its parched landscapes. Calexico delivers on all fronts and as Burns and Convertino become more comfortable with their songwriting things can only get better.
is "Cactus Rock" a genre? If so, Calexico's the King
This CD rocks. It opens up with a sweeping, cinematic trumpet that dumps you in the Sonoran Desert where it's 110 degrees and you're thirsty as hell, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and about to go hit the nearest hacienda for some watermelon cooler and tequila. Yeah, it's that vivid. Hot Rail continually pokes and prods the boundaries of indie-rock/alt-country, pulling in a healthy dose of mexican balladry, old-time GitAlong country and even French rap/spoken word to create what could be the perfect soundtrack for a Steven Soderbergh movie yet to be made. Listen to this Cd and see what movie plays in YOUR head!
