Calexico - Algiers (City Slang)

Calexico is also a frontier country-rock band from Tucson, Arizona who cut their teeth in Howe Gelb's seminal post-county group Giant Sand and since then have released a string of acclaimed records and worked with Iron and Wine, Tortoise and Arcade Fire.

Algiers is named after the quarter of New Orleans where the album was recorded and the muggy heat of the big easy has stuck to the music which oozes a rich country/latino blend cut through by vocals which sound as if they learned their trade in 90's east coast indie bands.



The opening third of the record is an unusual hand; 'Fortune Teller' is a lovely country-folk song that incorporates a Ryan Adams-esque lilt, 'Para' is stark and self-conscious – a surprising choice for a free download promotion and 'Algiers' is an evocative South western instrumental which reflects the bands recent work as film soundtrack composers.

Instrumentally the group augments the standard rock line-up with fuzzy brass, pedal steel, accordion and percussion. Always using these elements subtly, the effect is not as grandiose as Sufjan Stevens or as catchy as Bright Eyes, instead it creates a shifting texture that moves from New York to Tucson to New Orleans to Los Angeles to Mexico City to Havana and beyond.

Algiers is vaunted as Calexico's most mainstream outing yet and it does come at a cost. At times the lyrics come across as a little too earnest as the vocals are exposed by smooth production and the gentle accompaniments could be construed as 'easy listening' if you were feeling rude. I mean, I like Crowded House, really I do, but '96 was a while back and we've all moved on since.

However, by moving towards a more accessible sound, Calexico have created a record that replaces the esoteric with openness and the vague with raw honesty. 'Hush' is a perfect example of why this is important and is worth the cover price alone.

A beautiful album that is far deeper and more complex than it likes to let on.