Search - Calexico :: Garden Ruin

European imported Version of Calexico's Critically Acclaimed

John Kwok | New York, NY USA | 01/29/2007

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Calexico represents yet another reason why I think the country/folk music scene in Tucson, AZ remains light years ahead of anything I have heard here in New York City (This European import version of "Garden Ruin" includes two additional songs not included on either the American or Japanese releases of this album, plus a DVD on the making of one of the songs, "All Systems Red".), which seems more interested in adhering to a musical "punctuated equilibrium" (with apologies to both distinguished paleobiologists Niles Eldredge and the late Stephen Jay Gould for borrowing their term) stuck steadfast in a form of artistic stasis, emphasizing country music hailing mainly from the 1960s and 1970s. "Prominent" Big Apple bluegrass/country musicians Dock Oscar and Alex Battles have been critical elsewhere in print of Nashville's ignorance of New York City's still emergent bluegrass/country music scene, but it's one comprised mostly of a fringe community of musicians and fans (I might add too that having heard a few of Battles' songs elsewhere on the internet, I'm convinced that his songwriting isn't nearly as memorable as those by such great country music songwriters as Mary Chapin Carpenter, Johnny Cash, Nancy McCallion, and Lucinda Williams, or, I might add too, those by legendary rock and roll superstar Elton John and his partner, lyricist Bernie Taupin; indeed, any of their bluegrass/country rock songs from the 1970s until now are splendid examples of their songwriting craft, composed with substantially more thought and with much richer melodies than any of Battles'.). Why should Nashville show any interest in New York City's relatively insipid country music scene, when, in stark contrast, a small town like Tucson has been a vibrant, cutting-edge center of country/folk music for nearly two decades, as witnessed by recent critical and popular acclaim earned by The Mollys, and now, Calexico? Indeed, the most talented local country musician I've heard so far is fellow Brunonian Dotty Moore, a technically brilliant, sensational bluegrass/country/folk violinist whom I am convinced is quite talented enough to perform with the likes of Elton John, Mary Chapin Carpenter and The Mollys.



As someone else has noted elsewhere here at Amazon.com, it's no surprise that Calexico hails from Tucson, AZ, with its diverse blend of country, folk, Mexican and western swing music; musically Calexico seems to be carrying on in the grand tradition of that late great, critically acclaimed - and hopefully someday permanently reunited - Bluegrass/Celtic/Country/Folk/Mexican/Rock and Roll band, The Mollys, but here Calexico has succeeded in pushing the envelope, musically speaking, with its inclusion of mariachi horns, and perhaps earning more lavish praise from music critics than The Mollys ever did (If there is to be a successful New York City country/folk music community that's worthy of Nashville's attention, then maybe local songwriters should start tapping into New York City's own rich, ethnically diverse, musical heritage, but so far I haven't heard of anyone whose talents and abilities match those of Nancy McCallion or Mary Chapin Carpenter.). Both The Mollys and Calexico have successfully melded Tucson's diverse musical richness into some of the most elegant, notable examples of contemporary country music that I am aware of. I have heard only a few songs from Calexico's latest album, but I am quite impressed with what these boys from the Old Pueblo have wrought; without question this is probably one of the most interesting pop albums issued last year.





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