2008

Their last album wasn't liked by many for moving away from their mariachi meets alt. country sound and so with their latest they move back to familiar territory, even overcompensating by including some godawful guest vocals; especially the ridiculous ole ole chorus on Victor Jara's Hands. Still this is Calexico and as expected they have delivered a very competent album with a few songs that stand very well with the best of their work (Two Silver Trees, Man Made Lake, el Gatillo, Fratured Air etc).

As far as I'm concerned, any new Calexico is more than welcome but I feel that the band could have tried newer things like they tried to in Garden Ruin despite the criticism.

8/10