Calexico - Two Silver Trees

Hailing from Tuscon, Arizona, and naming themselves after a California border town, Calexico has long had a distinctive Southwestern style. Still evincing a strong folk/Americana influence, Two Silver Trees continues that tradition, though largely missing is the Mexican flavour and bombast of brass that so often characterised earlier material. The band treads pop territory with this track, and the results are favourable: a ready-steady bassline pulls together the otherwise moody and atmospheric orchestration - sometimes recalling the oft-neglected Black Heart Procession - with Joey Burns' whispery, understated vocals hanging in the forefront (though just barely). With this sleepy pop number, Calexico effortlessly prove they can still keep the rustic influence whilst appealing to the mainstream. [Jason Morton]