Calexico

Add Date: August 19

Artist: Calexico

Album: Carried to Dust

Label: Quarterstick

Genre: Folk rock

Comments: Another excellent record from Tucson's Calexico, Carried to Dust upholds the band's incredibly high standards and continues to blur the lines between alt-country, indie rock and southwestern musical styles. From the onesheet: "Where Calexico's previous album Garden Ruin sought to be a 'big' sounding record, Carried to Dust seeks to address each individual by allowing the natural creaks and echoes to be a highlight. The final album is arguably Calexico's best, one that reaches beyond their lo-fi roots without sacrificing any of the detail and subtle nuances that have always made them such a unique and special band."

No disagreement here. Garden Ruin was terrific, and Carried to Dust is equally impressive, albeit in a different way. The lead single, "Two Silver Trees," is the album's strongest track; also check out "Writer's Minor Holiday" and "Fractured Air (Tornado Watch)." The band's experimental edge flares back up with the excellent "Red Blooms," while Iron & Wine's Sam Beam, who collaborated with the band on the 2005 album In the Reins, appears on "House of Valparaiso."