Hot Rail

Amazon.com
John Convertino and Joey Burns spend a good portion of their time playing with their friend Howe Gelb in the once prolific Giant Sand. But as contractual obligations--or, perhaps, contractual constraints--forced the band to lay off from time to time, it gave the backing boys plenty of time to pursue their own interests as Calexico. Much like Giant Sand, Calexico play a loose game, as likely to pursue Tom Waitsesque instrumentals (lots of shiny metallic percussion everywhere) as an abstract, countrified songwriting muse. The addition of horns and violin for the opening instrumental, "El Picador," and the distorted Spanish guitar of "Muleta" suggest that they've spent time well below Calexico's border. Twangy guitar riffs abound, and when pressed into tunes they highlight the duo's capacity for understated songwriting ("Ballad of Cable Hogue," "Service and Repair") that not so surprisingly sounds much like Giant Sand themselves. --Rob O'Connor

Hot Rail,Calexico,Quarter Stick,Accordion,Alternative Pop/Rock,Americana,Bass (Electric),Cello,Drums,Guitar (Acoustic),Guitar (Electric),Horn Section,Indie Rock,Keyboards,Mandolin,Marimba,Organ,Pedal Steel,Percussion,Piano,Pop,Popular Music,Post-Rock/Experimental,Rock,Rock/Pop,Vibraphone,Vocals

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Hot Rail

Average customer rating: Hot Rail- Calexico El Mariachi is "Cactus Rock" a genre? If so, Calexico's the King Highly diverse and sonically pleasing. Good Listening

Hot Rail Calexico Manufacturer: Quarter Stick ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Indie Rock | Indie & Lo-Fi | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Experimental Rock | Rock | Alternative Styles | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music Alt-Country & Americana | Country | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Experimental Music | Miscellaneous | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music Similar Items: Alone Again Or Black Heart Ep Tete a Tete Blacklisted Fox Confessor Brings the Flood ASIN: B00004SQWM Release Date: 2000-05-09

Tracks:

1. El Picador
2. Ballad Of Cable Nogue
3. Ritual Road Map
4. Fade
5. Untitled III
6. Sonic Wind
7. Muleta
8. Mid-Town
9. Service And Repair
10. Untitled II
11. Drenched
12. 16 Track Scratch
13. Tres Avisos
14. Hot Rail

Amazon.com

John Convertino and Joey Burns spend a good portion of their time playing with their friend Howe Gelb in the once prolific Giant Sand. But as contractual obligations--or, perhaps, contractual constraints--forced the band to lay off from time to time, it gave the backing boys plenty of time to pursue their own interests as Calexico. Much like Giant Sand, Calexico play a loose game, as likely to pursue Tom Waitsesque instrumentals (lots of shiny metallic percussion everywhere) as an abstract, countrified songwriting muse. The addition of horns and violin for the opening instrumental, "El Picador," and the distorted Spanish guitar of "Muleta" suggest that they've spent time well below Calexico's border. Twangy guitar riffs abound, and when pressed into tunes they highlight the duo's capacity for understated songwriting ("Ballad of Cable Hogue," "Service and Repair") that not so surprisingly sounds much like Giant Sand themselves. --Rob O'Connor

Customer Reviews:

Hot Rail- Calexico.......2006-08-19

As an avid fan of Calexico, this was the one missing album from my collection- the songs definitely grow on you and seems to take you to a different place. I strongly recommend this.

El Mariachi.......2004-02-04

For those who like Ennio Morricone and western spaghettis, Calexico may be an interesting band worth checking out. Their southern sound is cool, stylish and moody enough to deserve a listen. However, "Hot Rail" isn`t a great record, as it is too long, repetitive and not very diverse. There are some good songs to be found here, like "The Ballad of Cable Hogue" or "Service and Repair", but the album is mostly a collection of instrumental soundscapes and part of them are filler material. As mildly pleasant background music it`s alright, though it doesn`t have much more to offer.

is "Cactus Rock" a genre? If so, Calexico's the King.......2003-08-19

This CD rocks. It opens up with a sweeping, cinematic trumpet that dumps you in the Sonoran Desert where it's 110 degrees and you're thirsty as hell, wearing a long-sleeved shirt and about to go hit the nearest hacienda for some watermelon cooler and tequila. Yeah, it's that vivid. Hot Rail continually pokes and prods the boundaries of indie-rock/alt-country, pulling in a healthy dose of mexican balladry, old-time GitAlong country and even French rap/spoken word to create what could be the perfect soundtrack for a Steven Soderbergh movie yet to be made. Listen to this Cd and see what movie plays in YOUR head!

Highly diverse and sonically pleasing........2003-06-03

While many reviewers will give comparisons of surf-music and Morricone influences, Burns and Convertino show greater depth and artistic push than was apparent when in Friends of Dean Martinez. I'm a fan of both and the divergence of style and musicianship is apparent on both bands' later works. The flavoring of the music and its divergent styles reminds me of both Sir Douglas Quintet and that of Los Lobos. Calexico has matured with each record pushing their sound further and defining a distinct sound that no longer relies on a "genre" but pushes instead the boundaries of border music and what it is. FODM have relied more heavily on the electronic influences creating a modern urban soundtrack. Calexico digs deeper and finds the dust on the small towns and back roads. Its like the difference between Santa Fe and Taos, NM. They have similar roots but the modern influences have been absorbed diffently creating unique interpretations of the Southwest and its parched landscapes. Calexico delivers on all fronts and as Burns and Convertino become more comfortable with their songwriting things can only get better.

Good Listening.......2003-01-02

I have had this CD for over a year, my daughter sent it for Christmas. At first I did think it a little gimmicky. I have listened several times and have changed my opinion. It is well paced and the numbers, while diverse, blend well. It is something I usually play at least twice when in a popular music listening mood. I like this CD well enough to look for more from these guys.

Average customer rating: Border Breakers Desert Rock at its Highest Moments!

Hot Rail (Digipak) Calexico Manufacturer: Virgi ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music Latin Music | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004TZ4R Release Date: 2000-05-10

Customer Reviews:

Border Breakers.......2005-07-29

Calexico was brought to my attention when their clip for "Crystal Frontier"passed, unexpectedly,on a spanish channel and since that I've hunted down the album with that amazing song and become a fan of this cross cultural, melting pot, wonder that doesn't hesitate in fusing together genres as diverse as accordion laden french musette(The Ballad of Cable Hogue)country(Service and Repair),lofi(Sonic Wind)and especially their main ingredient -tex mex rhythms straight out of the USA/México frontier(as expected from a band bearing the name of a town precisely on that border).

Diverse,cinematic and with a handful of excellent songs to boot "Hot Rail"really gets your money's worth while expanding your musical horizons.

Desert Rock at its Highest Moments!.......2001-04-16

Calexico is one of the most interesting music groups of our century! Although this phrase might seem common it's the only suitable one to describe Calexico's music. Remaining faith to the style of music they introduced with "The Black Light", that is the mixture of acoustic rock with Mexican music, Calexico offer us 14 marvellous songs without repeating theirselves as falsely stated by other reviewers. Furthermore, they prove that they have to offer a lot in the musical scene of our century in contradiction with their cooperation with Howe Gelbs and the formation of "Giant SAnd" group. Briefly, an excellent album that everyone should own!

Average customer rating:

Hot Rail (+ Bonus Tracks) Calexico Manufacturer: Virgi ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Latin Pop | Latin Music | Indie Music | Stores | Music Latin Music | Imports | Stores | Music ASIN: B00004YWFP Release Date: 2000-10-06

Album Details

Includes a Bonus CD featuring Three Brand New Tracks and the Video of 'ballad of the Cable Hogue' and Loads of Photos.

Average customer rating:

Hot Rail Calexico ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD Latin Pop | Latin Music | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music ASIN: B000051XPR

Tracks:

1. El Picador
2. Ballad Of Cable Hogue
3. Ritual Road Map
4. Fade
5. Untittled 3
6. Somic Wind
7. Muleta
8. Mid-Town
9. Service And Repair
10. Untittled 2
11. Drenched
12. 16 Track Scratch
13. Tres Avisos
14. Hot Rail
15. The Crystal Frontier
16. Hard Hat

Album Description

Japanese edition adds two bonus tracks, 'Crystal Frontier' & 'Hard Hat' both bonus tracks taken from their UK only single 'Ballad Of Cable Hogue'. Also includes lyrics to all tracks. 16 tracks in all. 2000 release. Gatefold sleeve.

Average customer rating:

Hot Rail Calexico Manufacturer: Phantom Sound & Vision ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD ASIN: B0000DERR2 Release Date: 2000-11-21

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