Giant Sand and Calexico get moody. Well, moodier.
By the way, the last track, Cathedral 4 (The Unbreaking Branch and Song) finishes suddenly at 2:22. Don't panic, though, there's nothing wrong with your CD, it just finishes. Bit of a pity, if you ask me, it's the best track on the album. Charitable listeners might suggest it leaves you wanting more. The less charitable, me for instance, am actually upset it leaves you wanting more.
The 21st century is forcing the "I dig anything but country" music-listeners to reconsider their biases. Headed by the works of Will Oldham, Grey Delisle, and My Morning Jacket, this millennium has given way to several notable country western-tinged albums that even the stingiest of Diesel-over-River Canyon Blues wearers can enjoy.
The distaste for contemporary country is mostly understandable given the genre has been represented by dramatic Ford Country commercials and the pre-pubescent Billy Gillman. But the same injustice occurs when people place the face of modern country as Travis Tritt and Garth Brooks, as when people view Jet as the archetype of indie rock. We need to look past the figureheads of the genre, and focus on brilliant outliers. Musical karma will surely take its course on the questionably popular country acts and they will soon find themselves signing contracts with southern buffet/entertainment establishments in Branson, MO.
AGB Rating - Distinction
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