Calexico's fourth album, Feast Of Wire, has been a surprising hit in Europe since its release in February. Quattro is the first single to be lifted from it, and while it is a good pointer as to what to expect on the album, it is far from radio, never mind chart, material.
Quattro combines an unorthodox, busy rhythm, gentle guitar touches, horns and a vulnerable vocal to give a song that defies genres as it skips between bluegrass, country, Mariachi and pop.
As anyone who knows Calexico's music will understand, Quattro is a piece of fine musicianship that offers something a little different to the norm that we hear every day. It is for that very reason that it is probably best understood in the context of the album whence it came.
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