Calexico and Iron & Wine – Years to Burn
City Slang – 14 June 2019
Two exceptional bands, Calexico and Iron and Wine have reunited for a new album “Years to Burn.” Calexico, led by Joey Burns and John Convertino, previously recorded and toured with Sam Beam, who goes by the moniker Iron and Wine. It’s been 15 years since they last recorded together, and the wait was worth it, a fact not lost on Calexico co-founder Burns.
“This project had to find the right time,” he noted. “We’re all different people than we were in 2004, and music helps to bridge some of the gaps. For all the things going on in our world and in each of our lives, this connection, this friendship, this love that we have—this album is a vehicle for that bond. It’s a chance to see where we’re at, take stock and be there for our friends.”
This 8-song release is more of a collaboration than their previous effort “In the Reins,” where Beam was the only songwriter. On “Years to Burn,” the groups share songwriting credits, vocals and occasionally harmonies on lead. Calexico’s horns and dissonant sounds from jazz to Mariachi appear at points on the album, alongside Beam’s instinctive songwriting. There’s a lot of angst-driven intensity here.
Beam offers his thoughts on the album concept:
“Life is hard. Awesome. And scary as shit. But it can lift you up if you let it,” he noted. “These are the things Joey and I write about now. And the title can encapsulate a lot of things. ‘Years to Burn’ could mean you’re cocky, you’ve got it made. Or, our life is ours to burn, to be inspired. Or you’re burned by life, brutalized. It’s an ambiguous title, because life is complicated. Let’s not talk like teenagers about love, desire, pain, ‘cause we’re not teenagers. And that’s not a bad thing.”
My experience with Calexico albums is that they can take a while to grow on you. This release is similar – it doesn’t necessarily reach right out and grab you, its more of a slow burn, to its credit.
If there’s a theme here, it’s about the passage of time. Several songs reflect this idea, including the mellow pop sounding “Father on the Mountain,” a slightly mystical tale about gently falling in love over time. The relationship with “my Teresa,” perhaps a childhood sweetheart, advances in each verse, a solid exercise in songwriting.
“While my father built a mansion on the mountain…
I was chasing my Teresa around the tree…
My Teresa dragged her hand across my brow…
My Teresa threw me kisses through the core…
It was me and my Teresa against the world…
Broke the bed and bought a grill…”
“Years to Burn,” the album title track, is a warm ballad with Beam and Burns sharing vocals. It’s a tender love song with an overshadowing ark of inevitability. The richness of the lyrics are clear:
“Years to burn, Years to burn/Breezes that die and rise
Years to burn, Years to burn/Our tears hold the light in our eyes”
Then there is the three-part “Bitter Suite,” a horn-driven symphony with layered Tex-Mex rhythms and lyrics in Spanish and English. Its quite a ride combining diverse lyrics and impassioned themes. The album closer “In Your Own Time” sounds more conventional, with a folk-like feel.
Both acts have produced exceptional recordings over the years, and while this album has some definite standouts, I wouldn’t declare it the best either has made. Still, it’s a fine listen, with layers of music and stories worthy of these musical explorers. I recommended you check it out!
Order Years to Burn via Amazon (Digital/CD/Vinyl)
Calexico with Iron and Wine are touring together this summer, beginning in Europe in mid-July. See UK dates below.
Calexico & Iron & Wine UK tour dates:
2nd August – CAMBRIDGE – Cambridge Folk Festival
18th November – EDINBURGH – Usher Hall
19th November – LIVERPOOL –
20th November – MANCHESTER –
21st November – COVENTRY – Warwick Arts Centre
23rd November – LONDON – Royal Festival Hall
24th November – BEXHILL-ON-SEA – De La Warr Pavillion
For the full European tour dates visit: http://ironandwine.com/