We read'em so you don't have to

"Beautifully fleshed out and focused, retaining some of the duo's southwestern elements but shifting the horn sound from Ciudad Juarez to Los Angeles ... the new direction suits them well, proving that even in the face of radical metamorphosis, they remain as stunning and distinctive as ever." (Pitchfork)

"The Calexico of Garden Ruin often sounds like just another better-than-average band strip mining the territory of Neil Young, the Flying Burrito Brothers and the Byrds." (Slant)

"Teems with irresistible melodies and zesty international flavor ... Calexico sounds fiercer and more creative than ever." (Harp)

"Likely to polarize their fans, in as much as it contains nothing but discreet songs ... still, Burns and Convertino prove they can play it relatively straight, without sacrificing Calexico's hard-earned status as a band that matters." (Uncut)