Fit for Fiesta

Calexico. At SOhO, Thursday, December 7.

Reviewed by Derek Svennungsen

A blending of diverse sounds and genres isn’t always fruitful,
and plenty of bands have tried and failed to pull it off. Yet, for
Calexico, who played at the sold-out SOhO last Thursday night,
disparate elements come together so well that one is forced to
wonder how they could have existed without one another. The
fortunate souls able to get in to the show were treated to
Calexico’s mélange of foot-stompin’ roots rock backed gorgeously by
slide guitar, mariachi horns, and, of all things, a xylophone.

The evening opened with a solid and spirited set of tunes from
The Broken West — certainly a band that could headline a West Coast
tour on its own merit, since it delivered the cool, laid-back
sounds the rest of the world associates with our fair state. But
the energy certainly intensified with the arrival of Calexico, and
longtime fans and newcomers alike were wowed by their verve and
virtuosity.