Scraping
Calexico · 2002
68 min · 13 tracks · alternative country
A kaleidoscope of haunting melodies and intricate instrumentation that navigates the borderlands of sound and emotion.
Top tracks — play these first
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Wash — Opening with lush instrumentals, 'Wash' sets the contemplative mood for the album while introducing Calexico's signature blend of genres.
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Sonic Wind — 'Sonic Wind' captures the band's exploratory spirit through layered instrumentation and a sense of longing that permeates its expansive soundscape.
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Crystal Frontier — This track showcases Calexico's mastery of narrative songwriting, weaving stories of border life with rich melodies that evoke both nostalgia and hope.
Elevation
Our rating, out of 100 — and why.
AI-generated from five scored dimensions. An opinion, not a measurement.
The album features intricate arrangements and varied instrumentation, contributing to its distinct sound within the alt-country genre.
What we noticed
- The album opens with a slow, atmospheric track that gradually introduces layered instrumentation, setting a reflective tone.
- Composition 25% of the score
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7/10
- Craft 20% of the score
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8/10
- Durability 25% of the score
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6/10
- Distinctiveness 18% of the score
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7/10
- Sequencing 12% of the score
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5/10
the writing — melody, harmony, structure, lyrics
production, performance, arrangement
whether it rewards returning to it
whether it sounds like itself
running order, pacing, length
Known within its scene. Reported but not counted — how far a record travelled describes its reception rather than the record, and a newer release has had less time to travel than an older one.
Is this for you?
Good fit if you like
- dynamic journey with emotional peaks
- vibrant soundscapes for exploration
- for reflective afternoons
- engaging details in headphone listening
- wave-like pacing that captivates
Maybe skip if you
- seekers of instant gratification
- prefer standalone single tracks
Where this album fits
- Career context
- Released in early 2002, Scraping marked Calexico's third studio album, following their critically acclaimed album Feast of Wire. At this point in their career, they were solidifying their unique blend of Americana, Latin influences, and indie rock, showcasing their evolution as a band with a growing international presence.
- Stylistic neighbors
- Iron & Wine· Sufjan Stevens· The Decemberists
Tracklist
Best experienced from track one — press play and let it unfold.
- 1 Wash 4:27
- 2 The Ride, Part 2 3:11
- 3 Sonic Wind 6:10
- 4 Frontera/Trigger 5:44
- 5 El Picador 3:05
- 6 Sanchez 4:46
- 7 Fade 11:47
- 8 Wind Up Bird 5:26
- 9 Minas de Cobre 4:21
- 10 Lost in Space 4:27
- 11 Stray 5:51
- 12 Crystal Frontier 6:50
- 13 Paper Re-Route 2:49
Reference: Wikipedia · MusicBrainz · Wikidata
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