Mexican ghost town
The Tucson-based group, Calexico, released their twelfth studio album on the 8th of April. Led by Joey Burns and John Convertino, the band has had a successful career spanning the last 25 years. The group has created a very appealing and sonically alluring sound, blending Americana, indie and alternative rock influences all into one.
The band is named after the town by the California-Mexico border, explaining why the lyrics for the album El Mirador are not written only in English, but also a large portion being in Spanish. The group has strong influences from Mexican music, and this album showcases the potential of the collaboration between the Americana genre with strong Hispanic influences.
The first song and title track, “El Mirador,” starts off with a dark and soft-spoken melody. It is eerie, but not off-putting. The unique sound and beautiful instruments pull the listener into another world. Mysterious lyrics like “A kerosene lamp, a matchbook smile,” give the listener ambiguous imagery. Lines like “Walked in circles in search of you / The bottom of an endless sea / A ghost of what I used to be,” coupled with the minor key feel very reminiscent of the transcendent “Hotel California” by The Eagles.
Tracks like “Harness the Wind” and “Cumbia del Polvo” lack enticing lyrics, however, they still maintain great melodies and rhythms with very polished production. There is a good balance between the soft whispery songs, and more high-energy melodies. However, the darker, grittier tracks are definitely what make the album worthwhile.
The penultimate track in the record is certainly a high point. “Rancho Azul” is one of the most well-rounded songs on the album, inserting fantastic storytelling within its lyrics and laying it over a Western-inspired melody. On top of that, it is accompanied by lush instrumentation: a thumping bass, electric guitar, trumpets and drums.
Although there are various issues with the lyricism throughout the record, the overall creativity and clear effort put into this project make it thoroughly enjoyable. The lyrics throughout the record paint a clear picture of the story that the band is trying to tell, and the melodies and instrumentation only enhance the experience. The flow of the album is very impressive given the diverse collection of songs, which culminate into a well-balanced album that borrows musical styles from both American and Mexican cultures.
Leave a Comment