Calexico — Man Made Lake
Album: Carried To DustAvg rating:
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Total ratings: 1263
Length: 2:56
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I'm gonna walk these streets
Of cold concrete
Like I'm a ghost
Searching for its grave
Then I'll dwell by the edge of this man made lake
And descend into the city
That holds no place for me
But the streets
With no stir of life
And all the houses on the streets
Are wholly submerged
Then I'll gather the leaves from cell phone trees
And return them
To their place
And pretend someone's calling for me
Of cold concrete
Like I'm a ghost
Searching for its grave
Then I'll dwell by the edge of this man made lake
And descend into the city
That holds no place for me
But the streets
With no stir of life
And all the houses on the streets
Are wholly submerged
Then I'll gather the leaves from cell phone trees
And return them
To their place
And pretend someone's calling for me
Comments (77)add comment
Schoen anzuhoeren!
Stingray wrote:
Or you can listen to a live concert: https://www.discogs.com/Calexico-Ancienne-Belgique-Live-In-Brussels-2008/release/1934669
Would like to know how they are LIVE. Somebody...?
Or you can listen to a live concert: https://www.discogs.com/Calexico-Ancienne-Belgique-Live-In-Brussels-2008/release/1934669
Stingray wrote:
Saw them at a small venue last November. Very intimate and accessible band. Fantastic show.
Would like to know how they are LIVE. Somebody...?
Saw them at a small venue last November. Very intimate and accessible band. Fantastic show.
grandes artistas!, son de verdad, espero verlos pronto en junio en mi país, Chile!
I pretend someone's calling for me, and asking me to speak up.
Stingray wrote:
I saw them twice. Both times were pure magic.
Would like to know how they are LIVE. Somebody...?
I saw them twice. Both times were pure magic.
This is probably my favorite Calexico song after Bend to the Road. I have a soft spot for these guys, and I seem to never have enough of them. Thanks for introducing me to them, Bill.
I had the opportunity to visit California last November (my first trip overseas) and during the planning and preparation phase I was so excited I kept listening to these guys over and over without ever getting bored. Their songs sound so full of character, and I don't know if it's because of the album cover but every time I hear them I'm reminded of a hot cup of coffee in a chilly, dusty morning. Don't ask why because I don't know either.
I had the opportunity to visit California last November (my first trip overseas) and during the planning and preparation phase I was so excited I kept listening to these guys over and over without ever getting bored. Their songs sound so full of character, and I don't know if it's because of the album cover but every time I hear them I'm reminded of a hot cup of coffee in a chilly, dusty morning. Don't ask why because I don't know either.
Cool interview below referencing Man Made Lake as an accident / reverse engineered. Holds a solid 8 for me, although I have a Calexico bias, even more so after learning of a shared appreciation for Jim Jarmusch.
https://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7546-calexico/
https://pitchfork.com/features/interviews/7546-calexico/
"Pitchfork: Were there any instances on this album where you went in and accidentally discovered something?
JB: "Man Made Lake" came from rehearsing and playing with a certain rhythm and pattern. I love the drums, and I thought maybe I could use that drum path, take off the guitar and bass, and put whole new chords and structures and melodies on there. So we did that... "Wonderfully evocative song.
Would like to know how they are LIVE. Somebody...?
Well, how about that. I haven't liked anything else of Calexico I've heard, but I like this. Thanks RP for exposing me to something good that I would have swerved to avoid.
"Expensive parser function " indeed.
...... excellent song from a truly great album - for me their best
Yes, those are nice. SmackDaddy wrote:
Brilliant lyrics
I'm gonna walk these streets
Of cold concrete
Like I'm a ghost
Searching for its grave
Then I'll dwell by the edge of this man made lake
And descend into the city
That holds no place for me
But the streets
With no stir of life
And all the houses on the streets
Are wholly submerged
Then I'll gather the leaves from cell phone trees
And return them
To their place
And pretend someone's calling for me<
I'm gonna walk these streets
Of cold concrete
Like I'm a ghost
Searching for its grave
Then I'll dwell by the edge of this man made lake
And descend into the city
That holds no place for me
But the streets
With no stir of life
And all the houses on the streets
Are wholly submerged
Then I'll gather the leaves from cell phone trees
And return them
To their place
And pretend someone's calling for me<
NewPP limit report Preprocessor node count: 182/1000000 Post-expand include size: 2138/2097152 bytes Template argument size: 192/2097152 bytes Expensive parser function count: 2/100 ExtLoops count: 2/100
>RP plays a lot of Calexico---and I really don't mind at all.
love Calexico....this one grabs me....8
I am always so grateful that RP supports Calexico. They are such a unique sound and so very dedicated to their sound and message.
I like to describe their sound as what a buzzard hears as it circles above the desert floor on scroching hot updrafts.
I like to describe their sound as what a buzzard hears as it circles above the desert floor on scroching hot updrafts.
cosmiclint wrote:
Generosity is good for the soul. Go for it, click that 9.
I'm not quite ready to declare this one Outstanding, yet somehow an eight just seems ... inadequate.
Bill ... could we get an eight-and-a-half for times like this?
Bill ... could we get an eight-and-a-half for times like this?
Generosity is good for the soul. Go for it, click that 9.
I'm not quite ready to declare this one Outstanding, yet somehow an eight just seems ... inadequate.
Bill ... could we get an eight-and-a-half for times like this?
Bill ... could we get an eight-and-a-half for times like this?
CortinaDampeco wrote:
The vocals are neither flat nor unemotional to me. In my opinion, they fit the song and arrangement perfectly but everyone hears things differently.
Interesting arrangements. Too pity voice is too flat and not emotional.
The vocals are neither flat nor unemotional to me. In my opinion, they fit the song and arrangement perfectly but everyone hears things differently.
The voice, the angst, the starkness, the cool attitude, it all fits really well.
I have listened to this song before but this time, when I first heard the guitar, I thought Steven Wilson-Porcupine Tree.
But I never thought Calexico at all when I first heard this! Not that it's not brilliant!
Krispian wrote:
Krispian wrote:
Beautiful and haunting... so very Calexico
CortinaDampeco wrote:
Subtlety is a bitch that most people refuse to understand.
Interesting arrangements. Too pity voice is too flat and not emotional.
Subtlety is a bitch that most people refuse to understand.
Interesting arrangements. Too pity voice is too flat and not emotional.
Live at the Barbican - London. The song was originally released on the cd 'Hot Rail' in 2000.
rebeccagrad wrote:
Lucky you. I wish they'd play in my current town (Atlanta). They don't seem to head east of the Mississippi much...
Just saw them live last night in town at the Hotel Congress, with Devotchka and Sergio Mendez. Fantastic show! Love these hometown boys!
Lucky you. I wish they'd play in my current town (Atlanta). They don't seem to head east of the Mississippi much...
Just saw them live last night in town at the Hotel Congress, with Devotchka and Sergio Mendez. Fantastic show! Love these hometown boys!
Awesome stuff! Am I the only one that thinks of Remy Zero when I hear this music ? I love it!
I saw these guys open for (and play alongside) Neko Case and her band. It was an other-worldly experience. No matter how good you think Calexico is on disc, they exceed your expectations live. One of the tightest bands I've ever seen.
Beautiful and haunting... so very Calexico
I really, really like these guys. something about the singer's voice always draws me in
Brilliant lyrics
I'm gonna walk these streets
Of cold concrete
Like I'm a ghost
Searching for its grave
Then I'll dwell by the edge of this man made lake
And descend into the city
That holds no place for me
But the streets
With no stir of life
And all the houses on the streets
Are wholly submerged
Then I'll gather the leaves from cell phone trees
And return them
To their place
And pretend someone's calling for me<
I'm gonna walk these streets
Of cold concrete
Like I'm a ghost
Searching for its grave
Then I'll dwell by the edge of this man made lake
And descend into the city
That holds no place for me
But the streets
With no stir of life
And all the houses on the streets
Are wholly submerged
Then I'll gather the leaves from cell phone trees
And return them
To their place
And pretend someone's calling for me<
NewPP limit report Preprocessor node count: 182/1000000 Post-expand include size: 2138/2097152 bytes Template argument size: 192/2097152 bytes Expensive parser function count: 2/100 ExtLoops count: 2/100
>For some reason I'm imagining Sade doing this...
I think that would be nice. Though I do like this.
I think that would be nice. Though I do like this.
This song is a lot like Cracker, Sidi Ifni, isn`t it? Is there any connection? Like it except the "distorted guitar" the NOISE at the end, just like in Sidi Ifni. Spoils the fun....
what a bad segue from Beth Orton 
Very nice.
Stingray wrote:
How are they LIVE...?
Weltklasse. Letztes Jahr in einer überschaubaren Halle (3.000 Leute?) gesehen und abgegange wie Bolle. Die Band schafft eine Atmosphäre mit ihren Liedern und ihrer Präsenz...
Solltest Du mal die Chance haben, auf keinen Fall verstreichen lassen, es lohnt sich absolut.
El acordeón de Calexico by alexgottreux
https://www.flickr.com/photos/go3/
Foto tomada el 7 de octubre del 2007, en un concierto memorable del grupo Calexico
© All rights reserved.
please make it stop!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
this is so mediocre/boring/crappy. i give it a 3 because unlike ALL the other calexico recordings, this at least has a different sound to it. kind of like live in the late 90s.
this is so mediocre/boring/crappy. i give it a 3 because unlike ALL the other calexico recordings, this at least has a different sound to it. kind of like live in the late 90s.
Stingray wrote:
Infectious. My wife went to a show, knowing a song or two - next thing you know, we are flying 3/4 of the way across the US to see them again.
How are they LIVE...?
Infectious. My wife went to a show, knowing a song or two - next thing you know, we are flying 3/4 of the way across the US to see them again.
They are gonna be at Bonnaroo 2010 this year!!
Stingray wrote:
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival a few years back, they put on a high energy show in a high expectations venue and owned the crowd. Lucinda Williams was earlier and the Raconteurs had the same stage later in the day, so there was a pretty high standard afoot.
They had a horn section that was tight as a gnat's ass. Big sound is what the venue called for and they came packin'. Go and have a good time.
How are they LIVE...?
New Orleans Jazz and Heritage Festival a few years back, they put on a high energy show in a high expectations venue and owned the crowd. Lucinda Williams was earlier and the Raconteurs had the same stage later in the day, so there was a pretty high standard afoot.
They had a horn section that was tight as a gnat's ass. Big sound is what the venue called for and they came packin'. Go and have a good time.
Stingray wrote:
Better than they are DEAD...
How are they LIVE...?
Better than they are DEAD...
love the imagery in this song, some of the best lyrics I've heard in quite awhile.
jakewhite77 wrote:
Very good.
Better than good, great!
Very good.
Better than good, great!
Stingray wrote:
Very good.
How are they LIVE...?
Very good.
How are they LIVE...?
It has taken me some time to get up to speed on Calexico, but they are really starting to matter to me. Whenever I think of this station this band comes to mind. I'm not sure I'll ever come around to fully liking this southwest flavor of music, but I am glad we are given a healthy portion by RP.
Okay, I have to get this album now. 
Cor - I love that distorted geetar!
Edit: 10 June: YYYYEAH! I really love it!
Edit: 10 June: YYYYEAH! I really love it!
First listen on this, easy 7 to start. Comments make want to listen to more also. Agree with some, RP as turned me on to many artists I probably would not have ever heard. I do support the station, and am appreciative of RP's efforts! 
Got my first turntable recently (grew up with tapes/CDs) and this was the first LP I purchased..... love it.
does anyone else notice how eerily similar this guy's voice is to the lead singer of jars of clay? everytime i hear him think i'm expecting a christian-esque lyric.
9
10 I like this so much I bought the CD. The entire thing is stellar.
Attention RIAA: Were it not for Internet radio and Radio Paradise in particular, I would never have heard of this and certainly would not have purchased it.
Thanks Bill. Yes I used your Amazon link...
Attention RIAA: Were it not for Internet radio and Radio Paradise in particular, I would never have heard of this and certainly would not have purchased it.
Thanks Bill. Yes I used your Amazon link...
Darlington wrote:
Yeah, I need to do the same thing.
Ended up buying the CD right before Christmas. Outstanding!
Yeah, I need to do the same thing.
Ended up buying the CD right before Christmas. Outstanding!
See them live if you can - six talented guys for sure! Blew us away at the Cat's Cradle. I wish they'd tour the US more, I'd love to see them again.
Check out the fabchannel concert: www.fabchannel.com/calexico_concert
Check out the fabchannel concert: www.fabchannel.com/calexico_concert
This song sucks!
Clarification:
It sucked boredom out of my soul and my face and made me turn up
the volume-knob
and smile!
(10)
Clarification:
It sucked boredom out of my soul and my face and made me turn up
the volume-knob
and smile!
(10)
so do I ;-)
vandal wrote:
Awesome; I'll be downloading this album tonight. . .
9
Yeah, I need to do the same thing.
Awesome; I'll be downloading this album tonight. . .
9
Yeah, I need to do the same thing.
Love the guitar at the end. Really adds to the ominous effect.
justin4kick wrote:
Saw them in L.A. about a month ago...great band, with phenomenal musicianship, but they had trouble stirring up the crowd. Part of the difficulty was Joey Burns, who has a pleasingly gruff voice, and writes thoughtful lyrics, but a narrow range and (unlike, say, Jeff Tweedy) no falsetto. Plus, the songs tend towards the abstract and the impersonal. I like Calexico's sound, but...
saw their concert https://www.fabchannel.com/calexico_concert/2008-10-15 a couple of weeks ago. one of the best I ever experienced.
Saw them in L.A. about a month ago...great band, with phenomenal musicianship, but they had trouble stirring up the crowd. Part of the difficulty was Joey Burns, who has a pleasingly gruff voice, and writes thoughtful lyrics, but a narrow range and (unlike, say, Jeff Tweedy) no falsetto. Plus, the songs tend towards the abstract and the impersonal. I like Calexico's sound, but...
7>8
this is really good. we'll see if it moves beyond 8/10.
PurplePrincess wrote:
mi tambien . . .
I just listened to this whole CD all the way through a couple of times, it is, as usual with these guys, so terrific.....
mi tambien . . .
Nice song but it sure does screech to a stop 
The entire album is Good Stuff (tm).
I just listened to this whole CD all the way through a couple of times, it is, as usual with these guys, so terrific.....
mandolin wrote:
Title: Carried to Dust
Artist: Calexico
Label: Quarterstick
Original Release Date: 09/09/2008
Looks like.
...is this a new album?..
Title: Carried to Dust
Artist: Calexico
Label: Quarterstick
Original Release Date: 09/09/2008
Looks like.
kinda short but i like it. :)
Awesome; I'll be downloading this album tonight. . .
9
like it. a lot.
great set by the way...
great set by the way...
...is this a new album?..
arresting from the beginning
I saw them at a small venue in Louisville. Phenomenal show. Most assuredly recommend Calexico live.