ALGIERS

Stumbling upon the music of Calexico some years ago was one of the best things that has ever happened to me. I remember the moment exactly: I was visiting my sister for Christmas in cold, cold Minnesota. She had a bunch of songs on shuffle playing and suddenly "All the Pretty Horses" started to play. Oh my God! I was hooked, and have been ever since. "Algiers" is a gorgeous creation. I saw the band live for the first (and sadly only) time when they had just released this album. They played several of the new songs and I was struck by how personal some of the lyrics were. There has always been poetry and emotion in the music, but often the lyrics are presented as a story of another time or place or point of view. Surely the spirit of the band-members shine through--but Calexico has never been a band to play Music All About Me and My Heartbreak. I suppose I cannot be wholly objective because I love their music so much; it just makes me happy! I think a few people have commented that Mr. Burns channels a bit of Paul Simon in his lyrics, and that is fine! The gentlemen speak and write of their musical influences and incorporate several styles and traditions. How many bands have a breadth of range to cover accordion-driven polkas to grungy-sounding "surf" music and across-the-border rollicking western cinema music? I think this has become my favorite by far of all the CDs that I have. "Splitter" has a fun, bouncy beat that Calexico does so well when they are rocking out. "Hush" is breathtakingly beautiful--gentle, a little melancholy, but still a song of faith, hope and love if I can write such an old-fashioned thing. The song is a seemingly simple poem--images of flowers, trees, grain, tombstones but deepens and expands when you realize the words tell the story of life--birth and death and everything in between. Simply outstanding.

Being it's the time of year when UPS is slammed, this album didn't reach me until the middle of dinner. Over grilled chicken and Caesar salad the spouse says to me "What are those lights outside?" I jumped up and to the door, it was a uhaul truck; but wait that's a brown uniform. Music. It was my music, my latest order. Spirits lifted I did my best not to fidget through the rest of dinner until finally spouse says to me..... go. Downstairs to my headphone rig I went. This is my first Calexico album and I still don't know why the anticipation was agony. Maybe the reviews I'd read. Talk about Calexico's horn section.Could be the wiki I'd read calling the group "desert noir"; who knows. Despite the anticipation the album didn't disappoint. I really like what's going on sonically in this music. The horns, that south of the border flavor. The music has a haunting quality to it, yet it's full and rich. It's country, but it's not. It's ranchero or tejano or maybe conjunto but it's not. Whatever it is it's good. The product itself is the cd packaging resembling the vinyl gatefold but with the plastic tray and hub to hold the cd and liner notes opposite, the exterior and interior artwork is attractive. Will be ordering more Calexico.

I've owned this album since it was released 4+ months ago, and it has grown on me quite a bit. I've become a huge Calexico fan the past 5 or so years, and in general this album won't disappoint those that are happy with where Calexico is at. For those that wish Calexico would go somewhere different, they show hints at it. I think it begins with recording this album in New Orleans and titling it after the studio they used. There are subtle hints at that move, but probably not enough to call this album a departure for the band. In general, Calexico is still Calexico here. It is a solid album, and it starts off beautifully. The first 3 tracks are fantastic tracks reminiscent of the finest on any of the previous Calexico albums. They continue with their Southwestern sound, but it is the slight variations like Sinner in the Sea that end up as highlights on this album. I point out that song because it is where the use of organs as an instrument (the most obvious New Orleans influence) shows up, and it adds a tension that really makes the song shine. I also like the somewhat obvious reference to the Doors that comes through in the track at its tensest moment. It makes the song a 5 star track. If the rest of the album had showcased such performances and the organ more, it would be a 5 star album. Instead, after the track (starting at the song Para), you get Calexico moving into its comfort zone, which isn't all bad. The songs are beautiful in their own right. The album just unfortunately feels like a tease with the initial 3 tracks, and I wish the momentum and organ influence would have continued. I don't mind the evolution of a band, and Calexico does hint at it. I see some critics panning the album because of a lack of change, but it isn't that bad. Taken alone, the album is good. It's definitely 4 stars. It isn't an album I'd reference to my friends who want to listen to the band I've been bragging about for the last few years and has become one of my favorites. I'd still steer them towards Carried to Dust or The Black Light (5 star albums for sure). Never-the-less, this album is not something I'd discourage anyone from. 4-stars is not bad.

This is one of my favorite albums. With reservations. What has happened to the promise of CD's? This is a muddy mess of a recording. It is killing me because the songs are so good. It's as if it was mixed really loud for the MP3 generation and when you boost all the levels, listening at a regular volume makes for a dreadful CD. I don't know what's happened. Have musician's hearing losses gotten to the point from playing loud gigs, ditto recording engineers, that they can't hear just how bad the recording is? One could argue, "well they wanted a wall of sound". But I say, for your legacy, make a clean recording where everything stands out. This band needs an engineer of the caliber of a George Massenburg or a Jacquire King so that their music shines. It's frustrating when the best way to listen to Calixico is not via this CD but by radio broadcasts that they have done.

FAQ: Does it come with a Digital Download? Yes - Sort Of. It includes a full CD in a white paper sleeve. Rip the CD to your iTunes, play it in your car, it's yours. Just don't be an a-hole and sell the CD on amazon as "used, case missing". :) Is it 180 gram? I don't think so, it doesn't come labeled as such. However, the LP record does feel substantial and there is very warm bass response. Overall, is it worth buying the Vinyl over CD or MP3? Well, if you appreciate the warmth of vinyl, especially for acoustic based music like this, then, yes, get it. The included CD ensures a full access to the music from all your listening environments: HiFi, iPod, Car, phone, etc. But how is the music? The music itself is excellent. Compared to albums like "Black Light", this is a very accessible collection of songs. However, it still shouldn't be confused with pop-rock. Calexico consistently delivers the goods, and this album is no exception.

I should first say I'm a huge Calexico fan, this isn't a non-biased opinion. That said, if I didn't like this album I'd say so. I have every Calexico album and have seen them every time they've played in my town since I was aware of them. Algiers is a perfect album as far as I'm concerned. Calexico expands where they've been and explores new territory that completely works. The "old" Calexico is still in the mix, but mostly as a basis, not a focus. Joey's guitar work is a solid as ever and John's drumming is the best you'll hear anywhere. Okay, he's no Neal Peart, but that's not his thing. For what Calexico does, John Convertino is near perfect. The rest of the band adds precisely what's needed when it's needed. Have the feeling I like this album? Just get it. If you're a Calexico fan you be happy and if you aren't already, you will be after you listen to this album.

This album will get you up and dancing (and singing)! I love Calexico and have 3 other of their CD's but this is one of their best collection of songs....everyone is great. They are all over the chart as far as their music....sometimes you hear a bit of "The Pixies", another song is a little B-52's, then there is a Duane Eddy element....oh but wait.....Mariachi and lovely love songs in Spanish...."No Te Vaya's" sung by the ever talented Jairo Zavala goes right to my heart. My cat and I love to dance to "Splitter". I love every song on this wonderful album. Burns and Convertino are brilliant and their cast of talented musicians and singers are incredible. If you can EVER see them in concert at the benefit they do for KXCI in Tuscon SEE THEM if you can!! Oh, BUY THIS ALBUM TOO!!

I've been a Calexico fan since Hot Rail wowed me more than a decade ago. But until Algiers the albums in between didn't quite live up to what I was hoping for. This new album more than makes up for those disappointments. Brooding, exciting, inventive, real and occasionally way deep, Algiers is a beautiful testament to the possibilities of music not wedded to re-hashing youthful themes or easy pop structures. It's a transport for grownups and, if you allow it to be, a dozen doorways opening. The last and least flamboyant of the lot, "The Vanishing Mind," holds its own alongside anything Patti Smith and Leonard Cohen have produced. In my world, no higher praise is possible.

Calexico are pretty much my favourite band and their last studio album 'Carried to Dust' is a truly great album. It would feature in my 'all time great top ten albums list'. So I was wondering how on earth they would follow it. Maybe it was my inflated expectations, but I must admit that on first hearing I was a little disappointed with 'Algiers'. If you experience something similar my advice is 'stick with it'! After playing it two three times I can't wait to hear it again. For me the album gets stronger and stronger the more I hear it. It's right up there with Calexico's best work. No doubt the song 'Fortune Teller' will be mentioned by many - and rightfully so, it's a song of spine tingling beauty that is worthy of Dylan at his absolute peak. But the other songs come creeping up behind it gaining strength the more they are heard. Joey Burns appears to be gaining in confidence. His vocal performance on the album is stunning. Just one addition. In my haste to hear the album I almost downloaded the MP3. I'm glad I didn't because the Cd version contains a bonus CD 'Spiritoso'. All Calexico fans must have this! It is a live performance with the band augmented by what sounds like a huge orchestra and brass section. The string arrangements are exquisite and the performances are inspired. Again, Joey Burn's vocal performance in front of such a massive band is powerful and mesmerising. Incredible.

POCAS PALABRAS PUEDEN DEFINIR MEJOR ESTE DISCO, MAGISTRAL. UN MONUMENTO A LA BUENA MUSICA. MELODIAS MEMORABLES DIFICILES DE OLVIDAR, EXQUISITO.

Algiers is the album of the year for 2012 and 2013 in my opinion. I haven't heard such a unique sound since I fell in love with Little Feat and Lowell George in 1975.

C'est avec cet album que je découvre (un peu tardivement je l'admets) Calexico. Et quelle belle découverte. Ma culture musicale est très ancrée dans le classic rock (Anglais des 60's et 70's), jazz et soul américains des 50's et 60's et pas du tout Mariachi ! Mais Calexico est tellement éclectique qu'il mélange tout un tas d'influences pour en faire une soupe délicieuse. Il serait terriblement réducteur de classifier Calexico dans un genre précis. Maricahi, Folk, Rock Alternatif, Bossa... Les influences sont multiples. ça se laisse écouter en faisant le ménage, en roulant vers nulle part, ou, plus simplement, assis dans le canapé à ne rien faire d'autre qu'à attendre les magnifiques mélodies de ce duo (qui emploie quand même pas mal de personnel) de Tucson ! à écouter, encore et encore.

Meine Rezension erfolgt erst nach 8 Monaten im Besitz des Albums, weil ich darauf vergessen habe... :-). Ein Fauxpas für einen Calexico-Fan der ersten Stunde. Calexico setzen den Weg in Richtung Pop fort, denke ich. Die Wildwest-Soundtrack-Melodien früherer Alben verschwinden zusehends. Sie werden allerdings mehr und mehr durch Ohrwürmer höchster Qualität ersetzt, an denen man sich -siehe mein eigenes Beispiel einer Rezension nach ca. 100x hören- scheinbar nicht so schnell satt hört, wenn man den Sound dieser Ausnahmeband mag. Und eine Ausnahmeband ist Calexico. Der Personalwechsel (Bass, Gitarre 2) hat auch nicht wirklich geschadet, der neue Bassist (Name unbekannt, ist nirgends ausfindig zu machen) trägt nun zum zeitweiligen zweistimmigen Gesang ganz ausgezeichnet bei und der neue Gitarrist (Name ebenso unbekannt, der Typ mit den Koteletten) verleiht vor allem etwa "Epic" einen besonders rhythmischen Touch. Calexico muss man allerdings live erleben, um auch die aktuellen Nummern in der ganz eigenen Inszenierung, die die Leut' rund um Burns-Convertino zustande bringen, zu "verstehen".