Calexico – Seasonal Shift
City Slang – 4 December 2020
The end of the year is a time for looking back, John Convertino and Joey Burns of Calexico do just that on Seasonal Shift, recapping a year unlike any before. In order to record this album, they called on a cast of characters from all over the world to create something old and new, marking these holidays that will be radically different from anything ever experienced.
Looking at the past, “Hear the Bells” opens sounding less like the Calexico of old, and more like a traditional holiday classic. However, as things progress steel guitars and Mexicali horns begin to appear, the song shifts in a southwesterly direction. Burns makes it clear, “This song is about holding time and space for memories.” Even when times are hard the song points out, “Take a breath to soothe your sorrows/ Until they’re gone, gone as the years fade away.”
Digging into the Christmas stocking they unearth Tom Petty’s “Christmas All Over Again.” The reading isn’t that far removed from the original, chugging and churning with holiday spirit. Turning to their eyes toward Africa, Convertino and Burns enlist Niger’s Bombino for “Heart of Downtown.” Combining African singing and guitars with Mexican brass stirs a multi-cultural pot in a most affecting way while reminding us that the holidays cross borders even when we can not.
Coming at the season from a Portuguese perspective, “Tanta Tristeza” is a languorous number, slow and slinky. A muted trumpet adds to the feel, creating something just slightly sexy. In a less exotic setting, “Peace of Mind” celebrates the current, stay-at-home holiday at hand. The song sways in the southwestern wind suggesting we all, “Just unwind, just unwind/ Let the holidays roll on by.” Words of wisdom in trying times.
Stripping things back, “Nature’s Domain” offers a different take on the season with Burns examining the world from a more naturalistic perspective. The instrumental “Glory’s Hope” played largely on vibes and drums hints at the mystery inherent in the season. Taking things on faith is often quite troubling, but sometimes that is the only answer.
There’s no doubt that the holidays this year will have a different feel to them, yet Calexico have done their best to make sure our stockings are filled with the season spirit. Seasonal Shift offers us a hefty helping of cheer from locales all around the world, at a time when we need it most.
Order Seasonal Shift via Bandcamp: https://casadecalexico.bandcamp.com/album/seasonal-shift
Photo credit: Piper Ferguson