Calexico live at the Moore Theatre, Seattle, September 26, 2008

Showcasing their new benchmark album Carried to Dust, Calexico was relaxed and energetic, playing to the strengths of the uniquely intimate Moore.

Joey Burns had the crowd singing back-up vocals--in falsetto, kind of--early in the set, and was unusually conversational, due no doubt to the clarity of the house sound and the sit-down, theater vibe.

A couple of new faces in the band, a twitchy, young guitarist from Madrid and a seasoned upright bassist from Munich. Calexico seem to pick new members every time they swing through Europe.

The crowd was delighted and enthusiastic, especially for Feast Of Wire tracks and the band’s perennial version of Love’s “Alone Again Or.” No big surprises. The band is comfy, as are their well-vetted fans, whose numbers do grow, albeit quietly, among friends.

Carried to Dust seems like a breakthrough. The songs are notably strong and uncompromised. Live, the band’s striking musicianship, the thrillingly shrill, dueling mariachi  trumpets, and cinematic Latin percussion still sets Calexico apart from all of indieland.

-- Patrick Whalen