CD Review

Over the course of six albums, Calexico has fermented the southwestern groove with enough depth and artistic fearlessness to avoid becoming labeled a sonic mariachi band. With their hints towards jazz, world, experimental and rock, this Tucson, Arizona collective has earned their well due cult praises.

Convict Pool is a six song EP that begins with a Mexican flavored cover of Arthur Lee and Love’s "Alone Again Or" that blends romantic orchestration with anguished vocals of Swedish singer Nicolai Dungar. The lo-fi "Convict Pool" with Calexico leader John Burns on acoustic guitar and vocals, is somber and earnest, but fails as a springboard for something more that never curtails. The Francoiz Breut cover "Si Tue Disais" offers some patient pedal steel and delicate trumpet interplay to this French artist number, which is perhaps Calexico’s greatest strength; mixing their fragile instruments with thought and consistency. Yet another cover, this time of the Minuteman’s "Corona," is a winner, with its festive trumpet energy, making this a true a true tequila thumper. The original, "Sirena," wrap the album up with electric tenderness as the background vocals give this spicy number a worldly gospel sound.

Yes the album is half cover tunes, but Calexico manages to place their patented romantic gypsy artistry throughout, making all of Convict Pool sound original. For a reasonably price EP, how can you possibly complain.