Calexico's tune in I'm Not There (Going To Acapulco) was brilliant. Otherwise I've only heard them as Giant Sand, though I intend to look deeper eventually.

I never did come back with a full opinion so here it is: Very good underplayed guitar based tracks with just a hint of Americana. I have been reorganising my music collection today and realised how much stuff I had that has'nt got a deserved listen. 'Feast Of Wine' is a gorgeous little album.

I got into these guys through Iron & Wine and I just found this thread (looking for new stuff.)

I too found this as one of their best. And the Nick Cave thing I agree with and believe it to stem from the line

Referencing characters we don't fully know seems to be a Nick Cave move but for me thats the line. Coming out of a, lets call it a solo, and just cutting in on that line. Its like you're actually venturing around with the guy singing.

I'm glad to see there's already a Calexico topic.
It's my favourite band. Has been for about five years now.
I heard "Sunken Waltz" and I was in love.
Have seen them four times live now, have all their albums on vinyl and CD and I am expecting their next tour CD (soundtrack) anytime soon. Ordered it from their website, takes a couple of weeks to arrive here.
I'm usually not the merchandise/single/rarities type, but I wear shirts with Calexico on it, I buy their 7" singles and I should really get myself a poster when I see them live next time.

So yeah, I love, truly love, Calexico.
Altough they're pretty well known here, I still think they're underrated.
Wonder what the future with Calexico will bring.
I hope they stick to their americana/mexican roots. It's what they're good at :)

I don't think they're that well known here. I didn't look through but I'd bet most of the posters in here don't post anymore. We could support them more.

What did you like about Sunken Waltz? I'm listening to it now per your comment.

Edit:

I've been drilling through Youtube videos since and I tripped over this gem...

Wonderful band with a pretty unique sound.
Theres a free download of one of their concerts here -
calexico . cashmusic. org
(Type in as a normal web address - not allowed to post URLs yet).
Not had chance to listen yet but its got to be worth a shot for free

You know, I can't tell you.
It's not one of their more interesting songs.
But the crowd goes wild whenever they play it.
I myself like a pop song that sounds like a Waltz (I also love Elliot Smith's Waltz #2 for that reason).
But there's something about this song. I heard the intro back in 2005 and it caught me rightaway. Dragged me in.
I really was thinking "please let this continue to be good".
And it did. I like Joey Burns voice, even though he is not a parcicularly good singer. Is sounds pleasant.

I like the songs with mexican influences the best, too.
But what about

Or the instrumental version:


Or, a bit more mexican:


And, very mexican and instrumental, probably one of their most powerful songs:


And then there's this, always a beautiful moment when they play this one live:


I don't know what it is with these songs. They just grab me from the first few notes.
Can't help but love Calexico.

I already downloaded it a couple of months ago.
I'm not that much into recorded concerts, I rather play albums and see bands live for real.
You are now allowed to post URL's by the way, congrats :).

Here's a picture of Calexico live in Utrecht, this september
http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...ptember/11.jpg
Made with my phone, not brilliant.

And some pics i took of the Lowlands festival concert in 2009:

http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...lands/4/40.jpg

http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...lands/4/47.jpg

http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...lands/4/52.jpg

http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...lands/4/44.jpg

http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...lands/4/54.jpg

http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...lands/4/57.jpg

http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...lands/4/62.jpg

http://stijnkraft.ebenau.net/daily/2...lands/4/46.jpg

their lead singer's voice is gorgeous

^wow, I see that you can post a whole lot of photos in one post now.

Anyway, I too love Calexico. Sorta. In I think 1999 I found a used CD copy of The Black Light, loved it immediately and still count it among my favorite albums. For me they started going downhill after probably Hot Rail. Their newer stuff doesn't really grab me at all. Now they sound a little too serious about their Latin/indie-rock fusion. Or maybe not serious enough - I dunno but somehow I find them relatively boring now. Really, if it weren't for The Black Light I doubt I would have paid attention. But, yeah, I certainly considered them great at one point.