Garden Ruin

Calexico's sound, which falls somewhere between film music, surf rock, mariachi, jazz, and alt-country, has always been difficult to classify, but whereas many bands of Calexico's indie standing would push further into esoterica, Calexico move more into the mainstream on 2006's GARDEN RUIN. All 11 tunes are focused, tightly constructed excursions into standard folk, country, and indie rock.
None of this is to say that the band has lost its flair for creative arrangements or distinctive sounds. Pedal steel, strings, and brass all uphold Calexico's Tex-Mex chamber pop pedigree. Longtime fans needn't worry: Calexico still sound like no one else, but their new commitment to singable melodies and general accessibility might very well expand their audience.