Feast of Wire

very nice

Great instrumental tunes. Grooovy and banging

I want to like bands like this, but I just don't

'd never heard of Calexico before today and had no idea what to expect from Feast of Wire. This is one of the reasons I love doing this challenge though, every now and then you find a band you've completely missed and really enjoy them.

This is a really interesting album. There are so many different genres and sounds going on, with indie, folk, country, jazz and Latin influences all mixed together. It shouldn't necessarily work but it does, and it means the album never gets boring or feels too samey.

Musically there is loads going on. I particularly enjoyed the guitars and brass, and at times it has a really cinematic, almost Western soundtrack feel to it. Then the next track can sound completely different. It keeps you interested throughout and I genuinely enjoyed seeing where the album was going next.

Overall, a really enjoyable surprise. I'd never heard of Calexico before today but I'll definitely be listening to them again. Another great discovery from this challenge.

Favourite track: "Sunken Waltz" is a great opening track and immediately got me interested in the album.

Least favourite track: Nothing on the album was boring and every track was worth a listen.

Album artwork: Really cool album cover. There's plenty going on and it suits the music perfectly.

Pleasantly surprised. I like the instrumentals more than the songs with lyrics but that is pretty normal for me.

This isnt groundbreaking for me in any way, my jaw didnt hit the floor and my head didnt explode but I enjoyed it. I can see myself coming back to listen to it a few more times maybe throw a few songs into a liked category and explore their catalogue a little. I could just as easily see myself forgetting that this group exists in 3 years.

That being said it might be the recency bias of the last 10-15 albums ive encountered on this list that were running anywhere from watery shit to meh.

Solid 3 stars.

All over the place. Some songs sounded like soundtracks. 0/5 album cover, wtf

great sound

Better than expected. It does have a bit of a MOR noughties Indie feel, especially in the vocals, but there is something charming to the songs and the simultaneously lush and wayward production. I'll be a wee bit generous with a four.

One of those albums I was aware of at the time but felt like I couldn't justify spending £12 on. Glad to have finally caught up. I'll try find a way to give them £12 now too.

A familiar friend from a formative period. Great tunes and arrangements, but just needs trimming back a bit.

not that i would put it on my daily playlist but i enjoyed it

4
Nice blend of styles, very different from anything I'd heard before

It was fine. I've got no arguments from it, although I prefer Mexican to Tex-Mex

The jazzy bits make it for me. The dark country elements are ok. 3/5

Excellent. Literally the main reason I decided to undertake this endeavour. Something I hadn't ever heard of that is truly truly excellent.

Wiki says "desert noir", and, living as I do in the concrete suburbs of one of Europe's biggest cities, that is something I need a LOT more of in my life.

5 soothing and mysterious

This is really great, and a genuine find. A varied album with lots of different flavours and influences. I love the strings and brass, the Mexican-infused elements, the darker notes. There's a real atmosphere that sits across a lot of this album, and it's quite melancholic in places.

Pretty cool.

2.07

Strange. Not terrible, but just kind of weird vibe.