CALDERA LAKES Arranged (Ecstatic Peace) cassette 9.98
Kevin Shields! There's a name that garners a lot of attention; and it's pretty obvious why Eva Aguila uses that moniker for her scalding noise ventures which she has broadcast up and down the West Coast. We're sure that a few must have stumbled into grimy warehouse noise shows expecting The Kevin Shields of My Bloody Valentine to be slumming it, instead to find a woman behind a table of pedals and some weird typewriter looking thing, all of which sizzle and shriek with a blaring electricity. So, if the ruse has ever drawn anybody in, were they pissed? Bemused? Hard to guess, but in addition to her activities as Kevin Shields, Aguila also records and performs in the duo Caldera Lakes with Brittany Gould. Here, they swing between deconstructed dream-time, avant-folk meanderings and full-on noise mode. Everything on this tape is swimming in a suitably lo-fi soup that could be the shittiness of this cassette (ostensibly a 'professional' duplication job) or the antique haze purposefully grafted onto the production. Detached folksongs strummed in monotone on guitar, with spluttered events, eerie tones, and haunted voices that drone-on creating a vibe that's not too far from those of Christina Carter or Grouper; but as these tracks proceed, convulsive noises ramp their activity from minor overloads on a four-track into concussion bomb explosions muffled through the constant gauze of tape hiss. Elsewhere, percussive scrabblings trickle through a multitude of delay pedals, forming stoned / hypnogogic patterns in keeping with some of the early experiments by Zoviet France (e.g. Eostre, Signal Gesture Threat, etc.). Static electricity cracks the ether around these phasing delays gradually building into another swelling cloud of ominous charged particles. Limited to 100 copies!

CALE, JOHN Black Acetate (EMI) cd 15.98

CALE, JOHN Hobosapiens (EMI) cd 15.98
Can't teach an old dog new tricks huh? Here's a founding member of the Velvet Underground and avant-garde/drone artist in his own right, John Cale, at 61 doing somersaults over his typically dour dirge with an open and eclectic musical palette. Neither truly avant-garde nor contemporary, Hobosapiens might remind one of Eno's Taking Tiger Mountain at points. It offers sonic-scapes of contemplation punctuated by an artful and considered assortment of unexpected instrumentation. This album's a critic-pleaser now but seems as though it's only the beginning of some fresh steps in Cale's music making!
MPEG Stream: "Reading My Mind"
MPEG Stream: "Twilight Zone"

CALE, JOHN New York in the 1960's (Table Of The Elements) 5lp 64.00
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Totally gorgeous vinyl reissue of the three archival cds released by Table Of The Elements a few years back, that documented Cale's early sixties minimal explorations. This new version comes housed in a black lacquered 12" box, beautifully silkscreened, with a hand screened oversized booklet (including extensive liner notes and a libretto) inside as well. In addition to the material from the three cds, there are two bonus tracks also previously released, that appeared originally on the Jack Smith compilations also on Table Of The Elements. Here's what we had to say about the three volumes originally.
John Cale's "Sun Blindness Music" is the first in a trilogy of archival recordings from this founder of the Velvet Underground. Much has been made already about Cale's contribution to both the history of rock and the history of minimalism, so we'll cut to the chase and get to the contents of this album, which features three of Cale's earliest compositions from the mid to late '60s. The title track spans almost 45 minutes, with Cale sustaining clusters of notes on a Vox Continental Organ, before indeterminately hammering down Phillip Glass-esque arpeggiations and then returning to the open ended drone. The two following tracks are quite good representations of '60s minimalism - with the proto-Amon Duul guitar strum of "Summer Heat" and the eerie electronic modulations on "Second Fortress."
Second in this trilogy of recordings culled from John Cale's personal archive of material from the late '60s. Upon listening to these visceral documents, one realizes that Cale, a founding member of the Velvet Underground, was more likely than not the one responsible for the wailing screech and howl that makes such Velvets songs as "Sister Ray" so stunning, and that it was the push and pull of his drone-leanings balanced with Lou Reed's more conventional songwriting that made the band great. Here, the Welshman Cale bestows upon us two pieces recorded with kindred spirit Tony Conrad on violin, and Cale on viola -- their twenty minute "Dream Interpretation" is a wonderful shimmering drone that is at once warm and organic yet also metallic and grating. "Ex-Cathedra", our favorite track here, is from 1967/68 and features Cale simply pumping on Vox organ, conjuring up yet another tense yet melodic, trebly drone that's macabre (isn't the sound of an organ often delightfully macabre?) and strangely lulling. Other tracks include Cale making solo electronic sounds, and a 'duet' with Angus Maclise (another founding member of the Velvet Underground) on cimbalon, an Eastern European hammered dulcimer. The only dud features Cale "playing" piano, innards and all, a rather been-there-done-that idea even in the late '60s.
As with volume II of this series, there are a few great tracks on volume III that make the price of ths disc worth it, and some throwaways that are of limited interest. The 10-minute "Stainless Steel Gamelan" track is the highlight here, and it's excellent even though it has nothing to do with gamelan per se. It features the Velvet's Sterling Morrison and Cale both "playing" the same guitar at the same time, an experiment which resulted in shimmering atmospherics and metallic percussive pulses, sounds that're as usefully evocative for today's DJ Shadow or Aphex Twin as they are here, maybe 30 years earlier. Also included on this disc is a funny hoedown of a piece wherein Cale plays with tape delay, Angus Maclise pounds various hand drums, and Terry Jennings -- a free saxophonist and crony of Lamonte Young -- sings on soprano sax. There's also a tremendous piece with Tony Conrad on a Vox reverb unit and Cale on electric piano -- it sounds like the soundtrack to a nightmare that won't end.
If you're a fan of the noise-loving modern heirs to the Cale droneologist throne, bands such as Skullflower, Pelt, and Sunroof!, you've got to hear this. Recommended.

CALE, JOHN Paris 1919 (Warner Bros.) cd 12.98
We've been meaning to list this for a long time. One of those special records that so many past and present aQ employees hold close to their hearts. This is John Cale's orchestral pop masterpiece! Last list we made his collaboration with Terry Riley one of our records of the week and while this is a different beast all together it definitely shows what a wide range of musical genius Cale had going on during the early '70s. Paris 1919 is most certainly a pop record, but not just any kind of pop record. This is one that immediately transports you to the lavish and lush fantastical worlds these songs take place. Backed by a band featuring members of Little Feat as well as the UCLA Symphony Orchestra, Cale was able to create songs that somehow are as delicate and understated as they are glowing and baroque.
It's a record that always makes us want to wander along pastoral hillsides filled with the greenest grass, a cup of delicious hot tea in our hands as we twirl and daydream through the afternoon. Cale's voice has never sounded better, and it's for sure his most emotive and sensitive statement ever put to tape. It's amazing how many newer bands we love that for sure had to be influenced so strongly by this record. Just listen to The Hidden Cameras, Kelly Stoltz, Jens Lekman, Beck or Belle & Sebastian and you can hear the legacy of Paris 1919 in their songs. Total pop perfection!
MPEG Stream: "Paris 1919"
MPEG Stream: "The Endless Plain Of Fortune"
MPEG Stream: "Hanky Panky Nohow [Drone Mix] "

CALE, JOHN Paris 1919 (4 Men With Beards) lp 16.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
ALSO ON VINYL! We've been meaning to list this for a long time. One of those special records that so many past and present aQ employees hold close to their hearts. This is John Cale's orchestral pop masterpiece! Last list we made his collaboration with Terry Riley one of our records of the week and while this is a different beast all together it definitely shows what a wide range of musical genius Cale had going on during the early 70's. Paris 1919 is most certainly a pop record, but not just any kind of pop record. This is one that immediately transports you to the lavish and lush fantastical worlds these songs take place. Backed by a band featuring members of Little Feat as well as the UCLA Symphony Orchestra, Cale was able to create songs that somehow are as delicate and understated as they are glowing and baroque.
It's a record that always makes us want to wander along pastoral hillsides filled with the greenest grass, a cup of delicious hot tea in our hands as we twirl and daydream through the afternoon. Cale's voice has never sounded better, and it's for sure his most emotive and sensitive statement ever put to tape. It's amazing how many newer bands we love that for sure had to be influenced so strongly by this record. Just listen to The Hidden Cameras, Kelly Stoltz, Jens Lekman, Beck or Belle & Sebastian and you can hear the legacy of Paris 1919 in their songs. Total pop perfection!
MPEG Stream: "Paris 1919"
MPEG Stream: "The Endless Plain Of Fortune"
MPEG Stream: "Hanky Panky Nohow [Drone Mix] "

CALE, JOHN Vintage Violence (Columbia) cd 5.00
**SALE **SALE* *SALE**
This is John Cale's first solo recording, digitally remastered and with 2 bonus tracks. Originally released in 1970, this record was recorded shortly after Cale left the Velvet Underground to strike out on his own musically (away from Lou Reed mostly) and to produce other artists like Nico. The first few tracks on this record sound almost like they could be from some obscure Elephant 6 band, with howling throaty Neutral Milk Hotel-ish vocals over quirky sixties/seventies off kilter pop! As the record progresses it begins to show its age a little more, reminding us more of Brian Eno or maybe Jonathan Richman, also cool.
MPEG Stream: "Gideon's Bible"
MPEG Stream: "Hello, There"

CALE, JOHN Words For the Dying (All Saints) cd 16.98

CALE, JOHN & TERRY RILEY Church Of Anthrax (Wounded Bird) cd 15.98
More music needs to be like this! Open and unfettered yet baroquely mysterious and cryptic; taking strange careening detours that cast endlessly distorting sonic reflections. Minimal but complex, driving and repetitive, yet sloppily unraveling with a ponderous noisy pop undercurrent that is both reverent and perverse. Is this a rock record led by a chamber ensemble? Or an avant-garde composition ambushed by lurching bass and drums? Or both? Makes sense that this album is called Church of Anthrax and both of its high priests are one time Velvet Underground and Dream Syndicate members John Cale and the guru of minimalism Terry Riley.
This one time collaboration from 1971 has just been re-issued and it's never sounded better! Touching on experimental jazz, minimalist composition, free rock and baroque pop yet remaining elusive and restless, never settling neatly into any one genre. It was recorded at a time when such cross-pollination of sounds was not only new but very necessary. John Cale plays all sides of his musical personae returning to his avant-garde roots with LaMonte Young in the Theater of Eternal Music but infusing it with the noisy economy of The Velvet Underground and the poetic pop of his subsequent output. While Terry Riley allows his more purist minimal aesthetic to become looser and emotive, paving the way towards his soundtrack works a few years later. Add to it the shambling drums of Bobby Columby from Blood Sweat and Tears (uncredited here) and the strange guest appearance of little known singer, Adam Miller (probably best known for the sesame street song, "We all Live in the Capital I") and what we have is this truly odd and hypnotically amazing document. Something that sounds more Germany than New York, like a collaboration between Can and Ralf and Florian of Kraftwerk or between Faust and Cluster. Or more contemporarily and unlikely, say between Wooden Shjips and Shogun Kunitoki with a guest vocal appearance by Thom Yorke of Radiohead!
The title track opens with a deep low multi-horned drone before the bass and drums kick into what begins to sound like a more driving version of The Kinks'"Powerman". But instead of going into a formal song structure, the riff repeats with Riley's pipe organ laying circular filigree riffs over the top, maintaining a constant lurch forward, and glassy saxophone stabs and atonal guitar rising from underneath creating an uneasy rhythm that slowly unravels into a propulsively droney stew. The air clears for the beautiful "Hall of Mirrors in The Palace of Versailles" with Cale on piano and Riley on solo saxophone trading off building and lilting riffs that rise and coalesce into shimmering tones. It's the moment that feels unique to each of them: the melodic minimalism of Cale's Dream syndicate days, and the all night time-delayed sax pieces of Riley's "Poppy Nogood and The Phantom Band". But with its mirror imagery and gorgeous repetitions, it feels wonderfully cinematic like a lost score for Alain Resnais' "Last Year at Marienbad". The next track, "The Soul of Patrick Lee" is perhaps the strangest because it's the only one with vocals, which wouldn't be unusual for John Cale as he wrote it and it sounds like him, but oddly he relegates the singing duties to his friend Adam Miller, an obscure singer-songwriter who wrote a Partridge Family tune and sang the above mentioned Sesame Street song. This track provides a breather of sorts, a short baroque folk ballad interlude between the other longform pieces, but it's like a haunting theme that adds to the mysterious soundtrack feel of the whole record. "Ides of March", the longest piece, features chugging piano riffs and skittering drums over a looped but drunkenly lopsided groove that wavers in and out of sync, building in a weird way where all the notes that seem off finally becoming locked in and right. Closing the record is the short "Protege" which ups the vampy piano riffs and Moe Tucker like drums before careening into a swift blast of noisy distortion. A sudden ending to this curious record that leaves us wanting more. Thankfully there's the repeat button!
MPEG Stream: "Church of Anthrax"
MPEG Stream: "The Soul of Patrick Lee"
MPEG Stream: "Ides of March"

CALE, JOHN & TERRY RILEY Church Of Anthrax (Columbia) lp 22.00
Now reissued on swank 180 gram virgin vinyl, an old fave and former Record Of The Week, when issued on cd, about which we said all this...
More music needs to be like this! Open and unfettered yet baroquely mysterious and cryptic; taking strange careening detours that cast endlessly distorting sonic reflections. Minimal but complex, driving and repetitive, yet sloppily unraveling with a ponderous noisy pop undercurrent that is both reverent and perverse. Is this a rock record led by a chamber ensemble? Or an avant-garde composition ambushed by lurching bass and drums? Or both? Makes sense that this album is called Church of Anthrax and both of its high priests are one time Velvet Underground and Dream Syndicate members John Cale and the guru of minimalism Terry Riley.
This one time collaboration from 1971 has just been reissued and it's never sounded better! Touching on experimental jazz, minimalist composition, free rock and baroque pop yet remaining elusive and restless, never settling neatly into any one genre. It was recorded at a time when such cross-pollination of sounds was not only new but very necessary. John Cale plays all sides of his musical personae returning to his avant-garde roots with LaMonte Young in the Theater of Eternal Music but infusing it with the noisy economy of The Velvet Underground and the poetic pop of his subsequent output. While Terry Riley allows his more purist minimal aesthetic to become looser and emotive, paving the way toward his soundtrack works a few years later. Add to it the shambling drums of Bobby Columby from Blood Sweat and Tears (uncredited here) and the strange guest appearance of little known singer, Adam Miller (probably best known for the sesame street song, "We all Live in the Capital I") and what we have is this truly odd and hypnotically amazing document. Something that sounds more Germany than New York, like a collaboration between Can and Ralf and Florian of Kraftwerk or between Faust and Cluster. Or more contemporarily and unlikely, say between Wooden Shjips and Shogun Kunitoki with a guest vocal appearance by Thom Yorke of Radiohead!
The title track opens with a deep low multi-horned drone before the bass and drums kick into what begins to sound like a more driving version of The Kinks' "Powerman". But instead of going into a formal song structure, the riff repeats with Riley's pipe organ laying circular filigree riffs over the top, maintaining a constant lurch forward, and glassy saxophone stabs and atonal guitar rising from underneath creating an uneasy rhythm that slowly unravels into a propulsively droney stew. The air clears for the beautiful "Hall of Mirrors in The Palace of Versailles" with Cale on piano and Riley on solo saxophone trading off building and lilting riffs that rise and coalesce into shimmering tones. It's the moment that feels unique to each of them: the melodic minimalism of Cale's Dream syndicate days, and the all night time-delayed sax pieces of Riley's "Poppy Nogood and The Phantom Band". But with its mirror imagery and gorgeous repetitions, it feels wonderfully cinematic like a lost score for Alain Resnais' "Last Year at Marienbad". The next track, "The Soul of Patrick Lee" is perhaps the strangest because it's the only one with vocals, which wouldn't be unusual for John Cale as he wrote it and it sounds like him, but oddly he relegates the singing duties to his friend Adam Miller, an obscure singer-songwriter who wrote a Partridge Family tune and sang the above mentioned Sesame Street song. This track provides a breather of sorts, a short baroque folk ballad interlude between the other longform pieces, but it's like a haunting theme that adds to the mysterious soundtrack feel of the whole record. "Ides of March", the longest piece, features chugging piano riffs and skittering drums over a looped but drunkenly lopsided groove that wavers in and out of sync, building in a weird way where all the notes that seem off finally becoming locked in and right. Closing the record is the short "Protege" which ups the vampy piano riffs and Moe Tucker like drums before careening into a swift blast of noisy distortion. A sudden ending to this curious record that leaves us wanting more.
MPEG Stream: "Church of Anthrax"
MPEG Stream: "The Soul of Patrick Lee"
MPEG Stream: "Ides of March"

CALEXICO Aerocalexico (Our Soil, Our Strength) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Attention all Calexico fans! We're pleased as punch to be one of only two shops in the whole world to have not one but two splendid self-released Calexico discs which are otherwise only available at their shows or on their website. However, please note: we've got very limited quantities of these, so hop to it! Both make fine companions to the band's albums proper.
This is their 2001 collection of recordings which took place in a number of locales - at home in Tucson, in the Wavelab studio also in their hometown, in Nashville, TN, and live on the KPRO Radio in Amsterdam. It should actually be subtitled "Family and Friends" as it features exactly that! The Burns brothers, Mia Convertino, Howe and Sofie Gelb, Doug McCombs among many others. A whopping twenty three tracks in all that make for a remarkably cohesive 56 minutes of music! Included are a stirring cover of Nick Drake's "Clothes Of Sand", an instrumental of Goldfrapp's "Humano", as well as a handful of traditionals "Bees And The Flies", "All The Pretty Horses" and "6 White Horses". Recommended!
RealAudio clip: "Clothes Of Sand"
RealAudio clip: "Bees And The Flies"

CALEXICO Carried To Dust (Quarterstick) cd 14.98
A while back, we thought it would make an excellent April Fool's Day New Arrivals List, to have all the reviews written not by staffers, but by our Moms! The logistics proved a bit too tricky, but some Moms were definitely into it, especially Andee's Mom, Gail. Now without airing too much dirty laundry, teenage sons and Moms often clash, and in many cases it has to do with music, in my (Andee) case, it was heavy metal, of course. And what's a Mom to do when her son starts dressing weird and wearing spikes and listening to that devil music?! Well a lot has changed in 20 years, and now Gail is a regular rad music aficionado, putting other Moms to shame. She even hung up on me once because she was watching a special on VH1 about heavy metal. Man would the sixteen year old me have had a meltdown! Well, it just so happens, that Gail is a big fan of Tucson boys Calexico, so we figured we'd get her to weigh in on their new record. Thanks Mom! Here's what she has to say:
My son, Andee has been quite generous over the years, giving me cds I like and request, cds he THINKS I should like, and then there's Calexico, a band we both like. Neither of us can remember what sparked my interest in this band, but since I now live in Tucson, I appreciate their fascination with the Southwest, and their fusion of country, Latin and folk (I am, after all, a '60s gal!). Ironically, I will see them live on September 20th at a Democratic fundraiser, at the Rialto Theater in Tucson. Take that, teenage Andee!
Other than their newest release, I only have 2 of Calexico's albums, The Black Light and Hot Rail, and like them both, even though I think they are quite different from each other. There's an evocation of place in their songs, which to me is one of the most appealing elements of their music. In Carried to Dust, a beauty from start to finish, I was transported from the first track, "Victor Jara's Hands", to a road trip somewhere near the border, a la Thelma & Louise, in an old convertible, music blaring, hiding a beer between my legs, and feeling young, happy and free. I don't know who Victor Jara is or was, but the verses are sweet and melancholy and then the chorus soars with horn fanfare. Definitely feel-good music!
"Two Silver Trees" morphs into an entirely different mix of instrumentation and vocals. I can't help but think they were influenced just a tad by the opening music from The Sopranos, but perhaps I'm hearing what others won't.
My favorite track has to be "The News About William". Flowing, but desolate... I'm lying on my chaise lounge looking at the amazingly bright stars in a gorgeous blue/black Tucson night sky, letting the music of Calexico spirit me away.
MPEG Stream: "Victor Jara's Hands"
MPEG Stream: "The News About William"

CALEXICO Carried To Dust (Quarterstick) lp 14.98
A while back, we thought it would make an excellent April Fool's Day New Arrivals List, to have all the reviews written not by staffers, but by our Moms! The logistics proved a bit too tricky, but some Moms were definitely into it, especially Andee's Mom, Gail. Now without airing too much dirty laundry, teenage sons and Moms often clash, and in many cases it has to do with music, in my (Andee) case, it was heavy metal, of course. And what's a Mom to do when her son starts dressing weird and wearing spikes and listening to that devil music?! Well a lot has changed in 20 years, and now Gail is a regular rad music aficionado, putting other Moms to shame. She even hung up on me once because she was watching a special on VH1 about heavy metal. Man would the sixteen year old me have had a meltdown! Well, it just so happens, that Gail is a big fan of Tucson boys Calexico, so we figured we'd get her to weigh in on their new record. Thanks Mom! Here's what she has to say:
My son, Andee has been quite generous over the years, giving me cds I like and request, cds he THINKS I should like, and then there's Calexico, a band we both like. Neither of us can remember what sparked my interest in this band, but since I now live in Tucson, I appreciate their fascination with the Southwest, and their fusion of country, Latin and folk (I am, after all, a '60s gal!). Ironically, I will see them live on September 20th at a Democratic fundraiser, at the Rialto Theater in Tucson. Take that, teenage Andee!
Other than their newest release, I only have 2 of Calexico's albums, The Black Light and Hot Rail, and like them both, even though I think they are quite different from each other. There's an evocation of place in their songs, which to me is one of the most appealing elements of their music. In Carried to Dust, a beauty from start to finish, I was transported from the first track, "Victor Jara's Hands", to a road trip somewhere near the border, a la Thelma & Louise, in an old convertible, music blaring, hiding a beer between my legs, and feeling young, happy and free. I don't know who Victor Jara is or was, but the verses are sweet and melancholy and then the chorus soars with horn fanfare. Definitely feel-good music!
"Two Silver Trees" morphs into an entirely different mix of instrumentation and vocals. I can't help but think they were influenced just a tad by the opening music from The Sopranos, but perhaps I'm hearing what others won't.
My favorite track has to be "The News About William". Flowing, but desolate... I'm lying on my chaise lounge looking at the amazingly bright stars in a gorgeous blue/black Tucson night sky, letting the music of Calexico spirit me away.
MPEG Stream: "Victor Jara's Hands"
MPEG Stream: "The News About William"

CALEXICO Convict Pool (Quarterstick) cd 10.98
Our favorite Arizonans are back with another fantastic release! Really, do Joey Burns and John Convertino ever disappoint?! This six-song EP features three covers and three originals. They've finally release their version of the Minutemen's "Corona" (always a hit when they play live!), as well as Francoiz Breut's "Si Tu Disais", plus if there was ever a band who could/should cover Love's "Alone Again Or"... it is Calexico! And they do so here in grand fashion, joined by Swedish vocalist Nicolai Dunger. Not surprisingly the three originals are of their trademark Southwestern sound and consistent high caliber. To top things off, just as they did on their last EP Even My Sure Things Fall Through, they've offered up a little extra visual treat in the form of the animated short El Kabong Rides Again for which Calexico provided the soundtrack ("Minas Del Cobre" from their album The Black Light).
MPEG Stream: "Alone Again Or"
MPEG Stream: "Si Tu Disais"

CALEXICO Descamino (Quarterstick) 12" 7.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
A little 4 song 12" to hold everyone over til the next full length, "Descamino" takes songs from Calexico's fantastic last album of mood and twang 'The Black Light' and sprinkles in a little Bundy Brown (ex-Tortoise) and voil‡!

CALEXICO Even My Sure Things Fall Through (Quarterstick) cd ep 10.98
If there's one thing you can count on, it's pure Calexico quality. Even their newest grab bag ep of eight odds and ends (unreleased tracks, remixes and b-sides) and three videos (on cd-rom) is no exception. Joey Burns and John Convertino craft musical treasures of enveloping intrigue and mariachi mystery. Richly toned and textured like the beautiful varied shades of a desert sunset.
RealAudio clip: "Chanel No. 5"
RealAudio clip: "Crooked Road and The Briar"
RealAudio clip: "Crystal Fronteir (widescreen version)"

CALEXICO Feast of Wire (Quarterstick) cd 14.98
Right out of the starting gate, this new Calexico album rings with a fond familiarity, perhaps leaning a little more towards traditional country than their past mariachi-drenched sound. However, from that point on John Convertino and Joey Burns take a winding path away from both the sound and style that have defined them for three superb albums, returning only every so often to their trademark lushly reverbed slinking twang with horns. It's a bold move with results that are both successful and refreshing for the group. That's not to say they're unrecognizable, nor sounding like a completely different band. Not at all, each song is most certainly distinctly Calexico. Still very cinematic and expansive. However, there's subtly executed shifts and additions that build gloriously upon their work to date. The simmering second song "Quattro" has an almost Fleetwood Mac "Tusk" rhythmic feel, and oddly enough the sixth is called "Not Even Stevie Nicks" a surprisingly sunkissed '70s-ish pop rock song. High strings slide and soar through the atmosphere of "Black Heart". Mid-album, hushed backing vocals grace the chorus of "Woven Birds". The Convertino-penned "The Book And The Canal" is a brief hushed interlude centered around misty piano melody. For those of you itchin' for some more familiar moments, there's still plenty on songs like "Guero Canelo" and "Close Behind" (both written by Burns). Something new for old Calexico fans and a great introduction for those who've yet to experience this fabulous group. Wonderful, and very recommended.
RealAudio clip: "Quattro"
RealAudio clip: "Black Heart"
RealAudio clip: "Not Even Stevie Nicks"

CALEXICO Feast of Wire (Quarterstick) lp 15.98
Ah yes, we do have this on vinyl now too! Right out of the starting gate, this new Calexico album rings with a fond familiarity, perhaps leaning a little more towards traditional country than their past mariachi-drenched sound. However, from that point on John Convertino and Joey Burns take a winding path away from both the sound and style that have defined them for three superb albums, returning only every so often to their trademark lushly reverbed slinking twang with horns. It's a bold move with results that are both successful and refreshing for the group. That's not to say they're unrecognizable, nor sounding like a completely different band. Not at all, each song is most certainly distinctly Calexico. Still very cinematic and expansive. However, there's subtly executed shifts and additions that build gloriously upon their work to date. The simmering second song "Quattro" has an almost Fleetwood Mac "Tusk" rhythmic feel, and oddly enough the sixth is called "Not Even Stevie Nicks" a surprisingly sunkissed '70s-ish pop rock song. High strings slide and soar through the atmosphere of "Black Heart". Mid-album, hushed backing vocals grace the chorus of "Woven Birds". The Convertino-penned "The Book And The Canal" is a brief hushed interlude centered around misty piano melody. For those of you itchin' for some more familiar moments, there's still plenty on songs like "Guero Canelo" and "Close Behind" (both written by Burns). Something new for old Calexico fans and a great introduction for those who've yet to experience this fabulous group. Wonderful, and very recommended.
RealAudio clip: "Quattro"
RealAudio clip: "Black Heart"
RealAudio clip: "Not Even Stevie Nicks"

CALEXICO Garden Ruin (Quarterstick) cd 14.98
Each time that you think this Tucson, AZ band can't possibly get any better or can't possibly bring anything new to their palette without sacrificing some core element of their sound, they go and do it! Excuse the horticultural puns (we're sure other reviewers have already exhausted the lot) but we can't resist, Calexico do indeed continue to grow, to blossom, to flourish with each album. And we get the feeling that they've still only scratched the surface.
Some of us had the deluxe treat of catching a sneak peek of these songs when John Convertino (always a joy to watch!), Joey Burns and their ensemble of stellar multi-instrumentalists played a couple of hush-hush live shows right around the corner from AQ at the Make-Out Room a couple months ago. 'Twas an ultra intimate, yet totally rocking affair, drenched with passion, polish and earthy elegance. We were floored!
Continuing on from their excellent last album Feast Of Wire's '70s west coast (Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, etc) pop/rock infused vibe that drew the focus more towards Burns' vocals and pop song structures, Garden Ruin features the heaviest doses of singing yet (by practically all of the members!) as well as effective explorations into beautiful, crashing waves of guitar and percussion dissonance -- particularly on the spectacular, emotionally draining final track "All Systems Red" on which Burns' voice captures a previously unreached depth of expressiveness. The band has already drawn some criticism for deserting their beloved trademark mariachi style trumpets and expansive cinematic atmospheres, but we think those accusations are unfounded. Yes, this is their most accessible album to date, but fear not, "old" Calexico devotees! Those elements that characterized their earlier releases are still very much present on Garden Ruin (as they were on Feast Of Wire), they're just much more integrated. Other stand-out tracks include the falsetto-ly sung, chiming "Panic Open String", the wispy retro pop number "Lucky Dime" (think Kings Of Convenience meets Olivia Tremor Control) and the smoldering duet "Roka" with its guest vocalist Amparo Sanchez. Breathtaking. On Garden Ruin, Calexico reaches out to every one of us -- an indie kid who just wants to hug him/herself and sway to the sweet gentle folksy ballads, a rock adventurer who loves to get lost in the expanses of Godspeed You Black Emperor, Mogwai and Village Of Savoonga, a lover of the sparkling Southwestern horns and jazzy guitar flourishes -- and never loses sight or sound of their burnished golded Arizonan desert heart. Y'know, there has never been a Calexico release that we haven't heartily recommended. They've given us no reason to start now. What more can we say... except holler from the rooftops, "Recommended!!!"
MPEG Stream: "Cruel"
MPEG Stream: "Yours And Mine"
MPEG Stream: "All Systems Red"

CALEXICO Garden Ruin (Quarterstick) lp 14.98
Each time that you think this Tucson, AZ band can't possibly get any better or can't possibly bring anything new to their palette without sacrificing some core element of their sound, they go and do it! Excuse the horticultural puns (we're sure other reviewers have already exhausted the lot) but we can't resist, Calexico do indeed continue to grow, to blossom, to flourish with each album. And we get the feeling that they've still only scratched the surface.
Some of us had the deluxe treat of catching a sneak peek of these songs when John Convertino (always a joy to watch!), Joey Burns and their ensemble of stellar multi-instrumentalists played a couple of hush-hush live shows right around the corner from AQ at the Make-Out Room a couple months ago. 'Twas an ultra intimate, yet totally rocking affair, drenched with passion, polish and earthy elegance. We were floored!
Continuing on from their excellent last album Feast Of Wire's '70s west coast (Fleetwood Mac, Eagles, etc) pop/rock infused vibe that drew the focus more towards Burns' vocals and pop song structures, Garden Ruin features the heaviest doses of singing yet (by practically all of the members!) as well as effective explorations into beautiful, crashing waves of guitar and percussion dissonance -- particularly on the spectacular, emotionally draining final track "All Systems Red" on which Burns' voice captures a previously unreached depth of expressiveness. The band has already drawn some criticism for deserting their beloved trademark mariachi style trumpets and expansive cinematic atmospheres, but we think those accusations are unfounded. Yes, this is their most accessible album to date, but fear not, "old" Calexico devotees! Those elements that characterized their earlier releases are still very much present on Garden Ruin (as they were on Feast Of Wire), they're just much more integrated. Other stand-out tracks include the falsetto-ly sung, chiming "Panic Open String", the wispy retro pop number "Lucky Dime" (think Kings Of Convenience meets Olivia Tremor Control) and the smoldering duet "Roka" with its guest vocalist Amparo Sanchez. Breathtaking. On Garden Ruin, Calexico reaches out to every one of us -- an indie kid who just wants to hug him/herself and sway to the sweet gentle folksy ballads, a rock adventurer who loves to get lost in the expanses of Godspeed You Black Emperor, Mogwai and Village Of Savoonga, a lover of the sparkling Southwestern horns and jazzy guitar flourishes -- and never loses sight or sound of their burnished golded Arizonan desert heart. Y'know, there has never been a Calexico release that we haven't heartily recommended. They've given us no reason to start now. What more can we say... except holler from the rooftops, "Recommended!!!"
MPEG Stream: "Cruel"
MPEG Stream: "Yours And Mine"
MPEG Stream: "All Systems Red"

CALEXICO Hot Rail (Quarterstick) cd 14.98
John Convertino and Joey Burns named their band Calexico after a town near the Mexican border, and "Hot Rail," their third album certainly lives up to their name more than ever. Romantic Mexican-style cornet and trumpet alongside low-rider bass (not to mention the homie on the back cover) and super atmospheric reverbed guitar (y'know, the type Chris Isaak overuses). Plus lots of excellent instrumentals where you can hear the band really expanding and maturing their trademark sunbaked sound. They just keep getting better and better! Recommended!
MPEG Stream: "El Picador"
MPEG Stream: "Sonic Wind"

CALEXICO Hot Rail (Quarterstick) lp 13.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
John Convertino and Joey Burns named their band Calexico after a town near the Mexican border, and "Hot Rail," their third album certainly lives up to their name more than ever. Romantic Mexican-style cornet and trumpet alongside low-rider bass (not to mention the homie on the back cover) and super atmospheric reverbed guitar (y'know, the type Chris Isaak overuses). Plus lots of excellent instrumentals where you can hear the band really expanding and maturing their trademark sunbaked sound. Recommended!
MPEG Stream: "El Picador"
MPEG Stream: "Sonic Wind"

CALEXICO Live From Austin, TX (Austin City Limits) dvd 16.98
Seeing this Tucson band live is such a true joy! In a dream world, there'd be a Calexico gig at a cozy little venue right around the corner from our store (just like they did a couple years ago at the Make-Out Room... sigh!) once a month (at least!). Alas, the chances of that happening are pretty much zero. So we must catch glimpses every chance we get in between their few and far between big venue concerts. This dvd serves that purpose wonderfully well! It captures fifteen songs from their September 13, 2006 performances for the Austin City Limits television show. Yes, that was right around the time of the release of their awesome fifth full length, the '70s classic pop/rock leaning Garden Ruin (and around the time of the abovementioned intimate show). Hence, there's plenty of songs from that album! Excellent! Yay! Yay! Recommended! (And remember, even Andee's non-show going Mom made it out to see them and was totally blown away!)

CALEXICO Scraping (Our Soil, Our Strength) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Attention all Calexico fans! We're pleased as punch to be one of only two shops in the whole world to have not one but two splendid self-released Calexico discs which are otherwise only available at their shows or on their website. However, please note: we've got very limited quantities of these, so hop to it! Both make fine companions to the band's albums proper.
Never failing to amaze and enthrall, these fellows' live concerts are simply not to be missed. For those who have witnessed their performances, you know exactly what we mean. For those who haven't, what are you waiting for? But in the meantime, here's your opportunity to experience the next best thing. Unlike many live albums that are plagued by poor sound quality and extraneous noise, this cd as well as 2001's Aerocalexico capture the magic and vitality of Calexico beautifully. Crisp recordings, much adoring but not intrusive audience response, and oh yes, the songs! So many favorites like "Sonic Wind" and from The Hot Rail, "The Ride Pt. 2" and "Stray" from The Black Light, a reworking of "Paper Route" from their first album Spoke, an extended rendition of "Crystal Frontier" plus a version of "Lost In Space" (which they originally did with Lisa Germano in OP8). All but three of the thirteen songs were recorded live right here in San Francisco at the Great American Music Hall in January of 2002. the others were from the Roskilde Festival in Denmark and at the Temple Of Music & Art in their hometown Tucson, AZ. 69 minutes.
RealAudio clip: "Lost in Space"
RealAudio clip: "Crystal Frontier"

CALEXICO Selections From Road Atlas 1998-2011 (Quarterstick) cd 14.98
At first we thought this was going to be just like a regular old greatest hits collection, which would be cool for folks who don't have any of their records, but we soon found out this is in fact a collection of very rare tracks culled from their tour only cd's from the last thirteen years. Which makes this even cooler!!
At this point Calexico doesn't need much introducing as their Southwestern pop, laced with delightful amounts of twang and even mariachi influences, have made them one of the most respected and consistent bands for over a decade. We couldn't be more stoked to get sixteen tracks we had never heard before from a band we love so much. These songs really display all we love about the band. From sprawling instrumentals made to be the soundtrack for your next roadtrip, to earnest and soulful country tinged pop nuggets that will always stand the test of time.
Sadly the massive limited vinyl box-set that included all the tracks from every tour cd that this collection is drawn from has already gone out of print, but at least this disc is still available to quench our endless thirst for the everlasting quality of Calexico.
MPEG Stream: "Waitomo"
MPEG Stream: "All The Pretty Horses"
MPEG Stream: "Ghostwriter"

CALEXICO Spoke (Quarterstick) cd 14.98
Before their full lengths The Hot Rail and The Black Light not to mention the assortment of additional collections they've released, John Convertino and Joey Burns introduced their wonderful band to the world with this album. A rough around the edges southwestern twang treat, it was released back in 1997. Even though they first started playing together '90 during their time in Giant Sand (and also played with Friends Of Dean Martinez), it wasn't until '96 that Calexico took official shape. And they've simply gotten better and better ever since. If you've enjoyed their aforementioned more recent works, then you know how adept and artistic they are, maintaining a very high standard. So it should come as no surprise that this debut is no exception.
MPEG Stream: "Low Expectations"
MPEG Stream: "Sanchez"

CALEXICO The Black Light (Quarterstick) cd 14.98
This album is awesome. Really. Rich twang and horn wind around organ, accordion and marimba. Yes, it is the super greatness of Joey Burns and John Convertino (of Giant Sand) and their many musical friends. Great desert driving music.
MPEG Stream: "The Ride II"
MPEG Stream: "Stray"

CALEXICO World Drifts In (Quarterstick) dvd 16.98
Holy cactus! This much Calexico goodness just might bring a fan to tears... of joy, that is! If you've somehow missed this fabulous, tireless band's live performances (or conversely if you wish to enjoy them again and again in the comfort of your own living room), here's a new dvd that's absolutely bursting with Calexico treasures. Firstly, an hour and a half 20-song set performed in the majestic setting of the Barbican in London, England with guests French chanteuse Francoiz Breut and Arizona's Mariachi Luz de Luna. Their luminous, lush southwestern twang is always richly dynamic and truly captivating, and the band's performance this evening is no exception. Truly from the heart and soul, their music resonates with a passion and a vitality seldom seen in contemporary music. To witness it live is more than a treat. Plus you also get over an hour of bonus stuff: a trio of music videos for their songs "The Black Light", "Ballad Of Cable Hogue" and Crystal Frontier", a documentary about the band called "Border Horse" by Bill Carter, "The Soul Of Mariachi" a reverential mariachi documentary featuring members of Mariachi Luz de Luna shot by Joey Burns, "Shot And Mounted" a European tour montage by James Murray, interview segments with all of the band members, and the cartoon "El Kabong Rides Again" which features one of their songs. Sure do wish we could offer you some visual clips, but you'll just have to trust us on this one. Need we say? Highly recommended.

CALEXICO & IRON AND WINE In The Reins (Overcoat) cd 10.98
Ooooh, does that sound like a splendid combination to you or what? Two of our absolute favorites together on one release, performing seven songs penned by Iron & Wine's Sam Beam?! Yes! Needless to say, we've been eagerly anticipating this cd's arrival since we first caught wind of it... and it sure doesn't disappoint. Simply stated, the results are fantastic. Burns 'n' Beam make for an intoxicating, burnished vocal cocktail. We have to say though, we were wondering who invited Mr. Opera Man to sing on the first track "He Lays In The Reins", but then we discovered that it was noneother than Tucson mariachi vocalist and Calexico comrade Salvador Duran. 'Twas a somewhat startling almost comical voice to hear melodramatically crooning over the familiar smoldering twang, but as the initial jolt wore off, it all somehow seemed to fit once again. Just watch the respective Iron & Wine and Calexico legions of fans increase two-fold (or more!).
MPEG Stream: "He Lays In The Reins"
MPEG Stream: "Sixteen, Maybe Less"

CALEXICO & IRON AND WINE In The Reins (Overcoat) lp 10.98
Ooooh, does that sound like a splendid combination to you or what? Two of our absolute favorites together on one release, performing seven songs penned by Iron & Wine's Sam Beam?! Yes! Needless to say, we've been eagerly anticipating this cd's arrival since we first caught wind of it... and it sure doesn't disappoint. Simply stated, the results are fantastic. Burns 'n' Beam make for an intoxicating, burnished vocal cocktail. We have to say though, we were wondering who invited Mr. Opera Man to sing on the first track "He Lays In The Reins", but then we discovered that it was noneother than Tucson mariachi vocalist and Calexico comrade Salvador Duran. 'Twas a somewhat startling almost comical voice to hear melodramatically crooning over the familiar smoldering twang, but as the initial jolt wore off, it all somehow seemed to fit once again. Just watch the respective Iron & Wine and Calexico legions of fans increase two-fold (or more!).
MPEG Stream: "He Lays In The Reins"
MPEG Stream: "Sixteen, Maybe Less"

CALIBAN Vent (Lifeforce) cd 13.98
These German hardcore kids play metal better than most American metalheads. Caliban (along with Heaven Shall Burn) seem to be leading the new wave of metalcore, where almost every trace of hardcore has been eliminated, leaving nothing but METAL. Vent starts with acoustic guitar and howling wind like all great metal records, but by track two Caliban are tearing heads off with a full on Slayer-esque metal assault, until they break it down to half time, that's when they are absolutely crushing: some sort of sinister metallic march, punctuated by rib rattling riffs and Reign-In-Blood licks. Ominous and pulverizing and completely metal.
RealAudio clip: "Fire Of Night"
RealAudio clip: "Love Taken Away"

CALIBAN VS. HEAVEN SHALL BURN The Split Program (Lifeforce) cd 12.98
German metalcore showdown! Two of the best metalcore bands around (both German, and both so metal it's sort of selling them short to not just call them metal) face off on this split cd. Caliban spit out Slayer style west coast death metal complete with chugging riffs and with plenty of I-can't-believe-it's-not-Swedish furious metallic mayhem but throw in some emo earnestness. Heaven Shall Burn mix East Coast metalcore (Converge, Coalesce) with furious black metal riffing and mix in the occasional bizarre breakdown. This is a good introduction to both bands, but believe us, both full lengths (which we also carry) are essential for anyone who likes it hard and heavy.
RealAudio clip: CALIBAN "Assassin Of Love"
RealAudio clip: CALIBAN "A Summerdream"
RealAudio clip: HEAVEN SHALL BURN "Suffocated In The Exhaust Of Our Machines"
RealAudio clip: HEAVEN SHALL BURN "No Single Inch"

CALIBOS Me And The Window (Handheld) cd 11.98
Washington, DC has been a cold and miserable place these days, hmmmm... maybe just a little colder and more miserable than usual. Though in the face of this, musicians from the area have been creating some pretty incredible music over the years. These DC'ers, Calibos, harness the energy of their surroundings and make some rockin' tracks in the vein of Sonic Youthian fuzz. The last track strays away from the rest of Me And The Window, into amazing deep-funk bass territory alongside a strolling and thoughtful guitar melody. It is awesome! Trans Am's live sound engineer, Nihkil Ranade, plays drums and also recorded the album in his Arlington, VA home-studio.
Their live set is a ton heavier and more distorted than this cd, but also worth checking out. Now, I know some of you reading this online live around there, so from time to time these guys play at The Galaxy Hut, one of the DC Metro area's night-time saving graces. So go check em out! Beware, they are L O U D!!!... Awesome, but skull-crushingly loud.
MPEG Stream: "Mountain"
MPEG Stream: "Home"

CALIFONE All My Friends Are Funeral Singers (Dead Oceans) cd 14.98
Califone have always been a tough band to pin down, with roots in mighty alt country indie legends Red Red Meat, Califone took RRM's brood and twang, and updated it a bit, expanding the instrumentation, adding loops, electronics, studio trickery, even soul and funk on past records.
All My Friends Are Funeral Singers, like past installments of Califone's ongoing and ever mutating musical saga, conjures up a gorgeous darkness, a softly brooding twang flecked creep, with a definite nod to the modern. At some points it almost evokes how we might imagine an alt country Portishead might sound. But RRM frontman Tim Rutili still has one of the most gorgeous voices, weathered and worn, definitely a case of one of those voices that could sing the phonebook, and the minute he sings, especially over a ragged steel string guitar, it's totally transformative, gives us the same sort of feeling when we hear one of those classic Uncle Tupelo tracks, or again, any of those timeless Red Red Meat jams.
While there are plenty of experimental moments, All My Friends might just be the most old school and classic sounding Califone record in a while, lots of acoustic guitar, plenty of stripped down countrified grooves, and those vocals... So great. Been listening to this like crazy!
MPEG Stream: "Giving Away The Bride"
MPEG Stream: "Polish Girls"
MPEG Stream: "Krill"

CALIFONE All My Friends Are Funeral Singers (Dead Oceans) 2lp 17.98
Califone have always been a tough band to pin down, with roots in mighty alt country indie legends Red Red Meat, Califone took RRM's brood and twang, and updated it a bit, expanding the instrumentation, adding loops, electronics, studio trickery, even soul and funk on past records.
All My Friends Are Funeral Singers, like past installments of Califone's ongoing and ever mutating musical saga, conjures up a gorgeous darkness, a softly brooding twang flecked creep, with a definite nod to the modern. At some points it almost evokes how we might imagine an alt country Portishead might sound. But RRM frontman Tim Rutili still has one of the most gorgeous voices, weathered and worn, definitely a case of one of those voices that could sing the phonebook, and the minute he sings, especially over a ragged steel string guitar, it's totally transformative, gives us the same sort of feeling when we hear one of those classic Uncle Tupelo tracks, or again, any of those timeless Red Red Meat jams.
While there are plenty of experimental moments, All My Friends might just be the most old school and classic sounding Califone record in a while, lots of acoustic guitar, plenty of stripped down countrified grooves, and those vocals... So great. Been listening to this like crazy!
MPEG Stream: "Giving Away The Bride"
MPEG Stream: "Polish Girls"
MPEG Stream: "Krill"

CALIFONE Chicago (Road Cone) cd 10.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
This may in fact be another eponymous release from Califone and not titled "Chicago" inspite of that word's prominent position on the front cover. Anyway, this five track cdep is the second release from Red Red Meat's Tim Rutili of front-porch acoustic slow-mo bluegrass melodicism spiced up with studio experimentation not unlike Loftus or even Souled American.

CALIFONE Deceleration One (Perishable) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
These recordings took place late last year at Block Cinema in Evanston, IL. "Deceleration" is Califone's music for films. Of the two live sets that make up this collection, one is for the film loops of AQ-pal Jeff Economy and Carolyn Faber and the second is for Ladislaw Starewicz' "The Mascot". In case you're unfamiliar with the works of the latter filmmaker, he was a very significant figure in the world of animation. Indeed, Ladislaw Starewicz (1892-1965) is credited with the invention of stop-motion animation! His creations included puppets of anthropomorphized animals, toys and other things. In the case of "The Mascot", the characters are a stuffed animal and various vegetables. Hearing this music minus the visual accompaniment might seem like one of those "you had to be there" situations and certainly seems somewhat unfortunate as Califone's dark and somber sounds and slowly creeping melodies are a perfect accompaniment to (particularly) Starewicz' often dark and strange works (which are highly recommended unto themselves... yoo hoo, fans of the Brothers Quay and Jan Svankmayer!), but nonetheless it does succeed in being quite an enjoyable listen on its own.
RealAudio clip: "Parade Queen"
RealAudio clip: "Cat Fights Devil / Hellions Chase Dog"

CALIFONE Deceleration Two (Perishable) cd 16.98
This is the second installment in Califone's music for animated and experimental films series on Perishable Records. You might recall Deceleration One from early last year. This cd features improved and composed soundtracks for three films: "Francis" an animated work by Brent Green (track 1), "Fireworks (No Mail Days Are Sad Days)" by Jeff Economy (tracks 2-4), and Alla Nazimova's adaptation of the Oscar Wilde play "Salome" from 1922 (tracks 5-16). As opposed to their more familiar languid twang, here they frequently venture into more fragmented experimental noise soundscapes with 'scenes' shifting swiftly and quite drastically. Overall, it's a very percussive and textural affair, but it still retains that distinct Califone somberness too, that is, right up until the twelfth track "She Dances" in which they slide into an almost funky slippery groove. As we mentioned last year in regards to the first volume, Califone's film scores certainly pique your interest about the films themselves, but they also succeed as captivating listens on their own.
MPEG Stream: "Fireworks III"
MPEG Stream: "She Dances"

CALIFONE Everybody's Mother (Volume One) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.

CALIFONE Heron King Blves (Thill Jockey) cd 14.98
Another gorgeously dark and introspective trawl through the dark recesses of our souls from Chicago's Califone. Apparently based on Califone frontman Tim Rutili's recurring dream of some sort of bird-woman apparition, Heron King Blues expands Califone's musical vision of lugubrious, funereal twang, no-depression strum, and glacial drones. Muted and spacious, with Rutili's whispered warble over a dense backdrop of ghostly country quite reminiscent of Souled American or Scott Tuma. The big surprise this time around is the surprising addition of funk/soul to Califone's moody darkness. Strange but true. Bloopy and almost funky bass lines support brief snatches of bouncy blue eyed soul amidst the bleak blues-scapes, but thankfully this funk has been dragged through a swamp of folk detritus, keeping it from freaking out those of us who never expected to use the words funky and Califone in the same sentence. Just imagine Califone mixed with a little Greg Dulli/Twilight Singers or Lambchop. Not necessarily a bad thing, just unexpected.
MPEG Stream: "Wingbone"
MPEG Stream: "Apple"

CALIFONE Heron King Blves (Thill Jockey) lp 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Another gorgeously dark and introspective trawl through the dark recesses of our souls from Chicago's Califone. Apparently based on Califone frontman Tim Rutili's recurring dream of some sort of bird-woman apparition, Heron King Blues expands Califone's musical vision of lugubrious, funereal twang, no-depression strum, and glacial drones. Muted and spacious, with Rutili's whispered warble over a dense backdrop of ghostly country quite reminiscent of Souled American or Scott Tuma. The big surprise this time around is the surprising addition of funk/soul to Califone's moody darkness. Strange but true. Bloopy and almost funky bass lines support brief snatches of bouncy blue eyed soul amidst the bleak blues-scapes, but thankfully this funk has been dragged through a swamp of folk detritus, keeping it from freaking out those of us who never expected to use the words funky and Califone in the same sentence. Just imagine Califone mixed with a little Greg Dulli/Twilight Singers or Lambchop. Not necessarily a bad thing, just unexpected.
MPEG Stream: "Wingbone"
MPEG Stream: "Apple"

CALIFONE Quicksand / Cradlesnakes (Thrill Jockey) cd 15.98
Slippin' through wide mood swings, this new Califone album keeps the listener on unsteady ground. As the title suggests, there's elements that catch hold and before you know it you're pulled you under. However you just might find it to be rather invitingly unsettling. Mainman Tim Rutili (Red Red Meat) and co. go from creeping, murky gruff melancholia ("One") into much more fast paced yet still smoky brooding ("Your Golden Ass") and onwards into more churning swamp bluesiness ("When Leon Sphinx Moved Into Town"). Actually this sits quite nicely next to the newest Calexico album (and it will if you file your cds alphabetically!). Strategically placed distorted sounds, laidback banjo pickin' and some light percussion keeps things from completely sinking into the shadowy depths. Very very nice!
MPEG Stream: "Your Golden Ass"
MPEG Stream: "When Leon Sphinx Moved Into Town"

CALIFONE Quicksand / Cradlesnakes (Thrill Jockey) lp 11.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Slippin' through wide mood swings, this new Califone album keeps the listener on unsteady ground. As the title suggests, there's elements that catch hold and before you know it you're pulled you under. However you just might find it to be rather invitingly unsettling. Mainman Tim Rutili (Red Red Meat) and co. go from creeping, murky gruff melancholia ("One") into much more fast paced yet still smoky brooding ("Your Golden Ass") and onwards into more churning swamp bluesiness ("When Leon Sphinx Moved Into Town"). Actually this sits quite nicely next to the newest Calexico album (and it will if you file your cds alphabetically!). Strategically placed distorted sounds, laidback banjo pickin' and some light percussion keeps things from completely sinking into the shadowy depths. Very very nice!
MPEG Stream: "Your Golden Ass"
MPEG Stream: "When Leon Sphinx Moved Into Town"

CALIFONE Roomsound (Perishable) cd 14.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
Tim Rutili, formerly of Chicago group Red Red Meat, conjures up a dusty, sunbaked, introspective Sunday morning of a record. Full of lush acoustic guitars and piano, this is not, rest assured, an annoying singer/songwriter record; it instead sounds like a cross between slowcore geniuses Rex and the atmospheric twang of Calexico. Comes with 3 videos that play in your computer. Quite nice!
RealAudio clip: "Bottles & Bones (shade and sympathy)"

CALIFONE Roomsound (Thrill Jockey) cd 14.98
Califone's debut album (originally released back in 2001 on Perishable Records) gets a welcome reissuing by their more recent homebase label Thrill Jockey (who are also planning a reissue of Red Red Meat's self-titled full length later this year). Here's what we said about it the first time around:
Tim Rutili, formerly of Chicago group Red Red Meat, conjures up a dusty, sunbaked, introspective Sunday morning of a record. Full of lush acoustic guitars and piano, this is not, rest assured, an annoying singer/songwriter record; it instead sounds like a cross between slowcore geniuses Rex and the atmospheric twang of Calexico. Quite nice!
MPEG Stream: "Trout Silk"
MPEG Stream: "Slow Rt. Hand"

CALIFONE Roots & Crowns (Thrill Jockey) cd 15.98
Though the album title conjures images of the dental variety, there's nothing of the toothy nor toothsome sort here. And although this is a new Califone album, the music actually harkens back to the warm, earthy sound of Ben Massarella and Tim Rutili's former band Red Red Meat much more so than Califone. Indeed it's more oriented towards the song than the soundtrack, and what fine songs they are! Some of them haunt while some others lope and some groove a bit. And y'know what else? Some of us even think songs like "A Chinese Actor" and "Our Kittens See Ghosts" sound more like a Beck album than the new Beck album. Strange, eh? The band also does a wonderful cover of Psychic TV's "The Orchids" which apparently was a central influential force on this album as a whole. Recommended.
MPEG Stream: "Our Kittens See Ghosts"
MPEG Stream: "Rose Petal Ear"

CALIFONE Sometimes Good Weather Follows Bad People (Perishable / Road Cone) cd 14.98
The follow-up to last year's "Roomsound" is actually a re-issue of Califone's first two self-titled eps. Revisiting these songs after Roomsound, it's not quite as immediately captivating. It definitely took me a few listens to be drawn in. Still very folk-inflected and off-kilter, but perhaps a bit more subdued. Yet, it's often considerably stranger and more unsettling than their later efforts. It actually reminded me of early material from Beck. There's definitely a greater sense of spaciousness to it. Each song crawls along at a meandering turtle's pace with plunky guitars, and spartan, frequently blown-out programmed beats accompanying the almost lethargic vocals. Nice.
RealAudio clip: "When The Snakehandler Slips"

CALIFORNIA RAISINS / CAVE split (Permanent) 10" 15.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
The return of Chicago's instrumental hypno-psych-kraut rock groovers Cave. Hot on the heels of the recent single/cd-r combo on Trensmat (now out of print, so don't ask) come two more stretched out jamz that manage to push all our buttons: repetitive, psychedelic, heavy, hypnotic... remember the track "Butthash" from the 7"? That we described thusly:
"A bouncy groover, with swirly synths, caffeinated rhythms, and buried vocals, a bit angular, a little new wave, equal parts krautrock, and spaced out shimmer, but all tangled up and kaleidoscopic."
Well, that was a 'mellowed out' remix of the first Cave track right here. So now take that description, add heavier guitars, all sorts of synths, howled distorted vocals, pounding drums, and wind it all up into a relentless killer groove that would do Circle or Pharaoh Overlord proud, kicking out the jams like Wooden Shjips on 45. The second track is more of the same, krauty and psychedelic, drums locked into a super tight rhythm, the guitars locked right in too, keyboards offering up all kinds of tripped out counterpoint, and more fuzzy effects drenched vocals soaring over the top, not so much singing as sort of howling along, the whole thing getting more and more fuzzy and distorted as the song progresses.
Cave share this 10" split with California Raisins, who may just have one of the WORST band names ever, but that doesn't stop them from kicking up a serious racket themselves. Hailing from Columbia, Missouri (where Cave called home before Chicago), California Raisins rock similar territory as Cave, the core of their sound a tightly wound guitar / synth hypnogroove, the difference being that CR are way more of a noisy, punky ROCK band, with much looser and wilder drums, and a vocalist whose wail is WAY up in the mix, his vocals heavily distorted and reverbed, turning what could have been a sort of psychedelic krautrock into more of a tripped out hypno garage stomp, plenty of Stooges-y swagger, Brainbombs-y pummel, but occasionally wrapped around super hypnotic krautrock style grooves or spread out over buzzy synth drenched crunch. Lo-fi and distorted and heavy and noisy and garage-y and a pretty good match for Cave's more looped sounding kraut psych grooves.
Packaged in hand screened silver and black sleeves (screened by the dudes in Cave) with a photocopied insert, and a cd (not a cd-r) featuring all the songs from the 10"!
MPEG Stream: CAVE "Butthash"
MPEG Stream: CALIFORNIA RAISINS "Down At The Flop House"

CALIFORNIA, RANDY Kapt. Kopter and The (Fabulous) Twirly Birds (Asana) cd 17.98
Heavy Hendrix-y early '70s psych from the Spirit dude. Pretty cool.

CALL AND RESPONSE s/t (Kindercore Records) cd 13.98
THIS IS CURRENTLY OUT OF PRINT OR OTHERWISE UNAVAILABLE TO US AT THE MOMENT, SO PLEASE DO NOT ORDER IT. SORRY.
The debut album that's been building this Bay Area group quite a hefty buzz around town. And if plentiful pop pleasures with sunshine-y harmonies are your thing, you'll be buzzing madly as well. Although photos have presented them as sorta Elastica-esque ---all black-clad, raven-haired and lanky--- they are in fact much more a perky combination of Free Design, Stereolab and Beach Boys. But y'know I could have sworn I even heard hints of the Byrds doin' "Hey Mr Tambourine Man" in their song "Colors". Lots of la-la-las and ba-ba-bas. Recorded in Atlanta by The Sunshine Fix/ex-Olivia Tremor Control's Bill Doss.
RealAudio clip: "California Floating In Space"
RealAudio clip: "Rollerskate"