Calexico's Hired (Free?) Guns
Somewhere in Tucson, Arizona Joey Burns, John Covertino & Co. are using their uncanny foresight to plan their next collaboration. Whatever they decide, it'll ultimately turn to Southwestern Gold. Looking back at the last three years of music, I'm realizing that all my favorite song moments had one thing in common- a member of the band Calexico was part of the recording. The ironic part is that none of these songs are on a proper Calexico album. My latest theory is that they relish being the mercenary types (and they're probably not even getting paid for it).
Take the bungee jump for my three highlighted Calexico moments.
Moment #1 – Calexico & Iron and Wine "He Lays In the Reins" (2005)
Right at the peak of Sam Beam's rise in popularity after the 2004 Sub Pop grail Our Endless Numbered Days, he collaborated on an EP with the fellas from Calexico. The steady, controlled Rhodes Piano contrasting the operatic overture and the smooth, flowing lyrics gives a mysterious familiarity that few songs engender:
"One more kiss tonight from some tall stable girl/she's like grace from the earth when you're all tuckered out and tame."
Moment #2 – Neko Case "Star Witness" (2006)
Easily my favorite track of last year (and probably why Neko Case got my #1 album vote), Covertino adds supremely tasteful brushed drums and Burns thumps along on standup bass. They provide the key shuffling elements to the dusty, sun-baked scene for Neko's tragic, Dolly Parton-influenced imagery:
"There's glass on the thermos and blood on my jeans/Nickels and dimes from the Fourth of July roll off in a crooked line/to the chain-linked locks where the red tails dive/Oh, how I forgot what it's like."
Moment #3 – Arcade Fire "Ocean of Noise" (2007)
These Baroque Pop Saints from Montreal are no strangers to having heavy string arrangements in their songs, but for the most climactic part of Neon Bible (in my opinion) Arcade Fire chose horns to display their signature epic melodrama. Who better to recruit for these parts than Martin Wenk and Jacob Valenzuela, Calexico's double-barreled trumpeters?
"You got your reasons and me I've got mine/But all the reasons I gave were just lies to buy myself some time/We're gonna work it all out."
With so many fantastic examples of Calexico's members being the consummate melodic team-players, and their own albums (like last year's Garden Ruin) being hampered by mixed reviews, you wonder when these guys will come to the realization that maybe they've found their niche lending their talents out to their friends. A few suggestions for future collaborations: Perhaps letting Joanna Newsom borrow a flamenco guitar part? How about licensing some horn samples to be cut-up on Jimmy Tamborello's digital surgery table for a new Postal Service track? Just a few ideas from a fan.
What say you?!