Feast Of Wire (Limited Edition)

Calexico streamlined its eclectic sound a bit on this 2003 release, adding a pop sensibility to the band's already-exciting mixture of Latin-tinged Southwestern twang and jazzy, atmospheric sophistication. Most notably, FEAST OF WIRE features more of multi-instrumentalist Joey Burns's voice (Burns co-founded the band along with drummer John Convertino). On "Quattro (World Drifts In)", which combines Burns's under-the-radar singing with a guitar-driven song structure, Calexico sounds like it might even sneak onto mainstream FM radio. But the breezy accessibility is deceptive, because, over the course of FEAST, the ensemble is remarkably experimental and adventurous.
The giddy-up rhythms of "Close Behind", complete with accordion, sweeping strings, and lap steel, prove the band's mastery at animating dusty, sun-baked motifs that sound like alternate soundtracks to HIGH PLAINS DRIFTER. The stately classicism of the piano-and-strings duet "The Book and the Canal" and the electronica-influenced "Attack El Robot! Attack!" proves the group capable of throwing out curveballs. Even when Calexico traffics in more traditional songcraft ("Not Even Stevie Nicks..".), its quirky approach keeps its indie credibility unassailable. FEAST OF WIRE is accomplished, listener-friendly experimentalism of the first order.|

時代に媚びることを知らない男たち＝キャレキシコの新作。昨年のウィルコに続いて、今年もアメリカン・ルーツ・ミュージックに端を発する若い世代による音楽の展開が楽しみ!と、実感させられる内容です。お得意のサム・ペキンパー風ハードボイルド&マリアッチ風味に加えて、今作ではアンディ・ウェザオールなどとの交流から生まれた新展開──ダブっぽいサウンド処理にもチャレンジ。とにかくペダル・スティールが心地良い。
bounce (C)河村 純一