Even My Sure Things Fall Through [ENHANCED] [EP]

Calexico

Product Details

• Audio CD (May 22, 2001)
• Original Release Date: May 22, 2001
• Number of Discs: 1
• Format: Enhanced, EP
• Label: Quarter Stick
• ASIN: B00005B7HE
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (9 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #124,650 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
Perhaps you've heard Calexico profiled on National Public Radio, or had the good fortune to catch one of their celebratory concerts. If so, you've been primed to hear singer and multi-instrumentalist Joey Burns deliver some melodramatic both-sides-of-the-border rock buttressed by resonant acoustic bass lines, driven by John Convertino's lively drumming, and gilded with dual mariachi trumpets. This EP, which collects single B-sides and remixes previously available in Europe only or not at all, won't disappoint. It includes some cinematic, dust-blown instrumentals and two very different versions of "Crystal Frontier," a white-knuckled tale of dark deeds done amongst the machiladoras. But it might surprise you. There's also a down-tempo hip-hop remix by Two Lone Swordsmen of "Untitled III," a track that originally appeared on the Hot Rail album, and a vibraphone-dominated stretch of spooky ambient music called "Hard Hat." For good measure, the disc includes three CD-ROM videos. --Bill Meyer

Product Description
Full title - Even My Sure Things Fall Through - Always a work in progress and taking little or no time off, Joey Burns and John Convertino have assembled a variety of recordings taken from the European B-sides (3 Slang CD singles), as well as a Two Loneswordsman remix of Sonic Wind and an American Music Club cover, Chanel No. 5. In addition to the audio content, the band's 3 music videos, shot and directed by John Pirozzi, will be included as CD-Rom files for your screening pleasure. CD rom tracks are Crystal Frontier (widescreen version), Ballad of Cable Hogue and Black Light. 11 tracks. 2001 release.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Half a good EP, March 4, 2004

By	Eric Vondy "Eric Vondy" (Phoenix) - See all my reviews

Half the songs on the EP are quite good: Chanel #5, Crystal Frontier (both versions)& Crooked Road and the Briar. The rest are mediocre. None of the songs on this EP stand out like most of Feast of Wire does. They all have a second tier feeling. Nevertheless it is worth owning if you're a Calexico fan.

10 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Painting Themselves Into a Corner?, May 31, 2001

By A Customer

Joey Burns and John Convertino have created a niche entirely their own and have remained true to their vision of creating dusty, mariachi-tinged soundscapes that capture the mood of the early Southwest with nary a hint of pretention. No musical anachronisms here--everything is true to form.

That said, the only song on this extended play that could be called "essential" is the new single, Crystal Frontier, which is a tad bit livlier than most Calexico songs. The rest is remixes and B-sides, etc. A new version of Sonic Wind is okay, but there is nothing here that really pulls you in (not that any of their songs are truly involving). I suspect this CD was released to promote Crystal Frontier and the band's current U.S. tour, suggesting Calexico may be in need of new directions or new ways to mine <i>oro</i> from the same vein. Not bad, but not likely to win any new fans.

Calexico needs to be seen live to appreciate what they do. They put on a memorable show.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A fairly groovy piece of work., July 18, 2003

By	G. Moses "theonlytruegeo" (Men...Of...The...Sea!) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

If I understand aright, this short album/long ep was released to promote the single 'Crystal Frontier,' and if any song deserves such promotion, it's this one--one of Calexico's all-time best. The moment you hear the opening lines--"Marco's shadow falls on the door/To the seven lost cities of gold"--you know it's gonna be good, and good it is. Awesome, in fact. There are actually two versions, one with a full band (the "main" version, I suppose), and a more minimalistic accoustic take. The former is unquestionably the one to have, but they're both good.

The rest of the album can't help but seem a little anti-climactic by comparison, but 'Crooked Road and the Briar' is also a pretty good song, as is the cover of AMC's 'Chanel No. 5.' The remaining tracks--a few remixes of songs from Hot Rail and a few new ones--are not-hugely-impressive instrumentals--okay background music, but not really anything that's likely to particularly grab you.

And that's that. Except--also included is the promotional video for 'Crystal Frontier,' as well as those for 'The Black Light' and 'Ballad of Cable Hogue,' from the band's second and third albums respectively. The former I can take or leave, but the other two are...really great; the one for 'The Black Light' actually makes me appreciate the song itself more than I had done.

These videos make a very nice bonus, and, in my view, bump the whole affair up a star. No reason I can think of for any Calexico fan not to snap it up.