Even My Sure Things Fall Through

Released in 2001, 'Even My Sure Things Fall Through' serves as a vital bridge in Calexico's discography, collecting B-sides, remixes, and rarities that showcase the band's versatility. While technically an EP, its eleven tracks function as a cohesive exploration of the 'desert noir' aesthetic Joey Burns and John Convertino perfected in Tucson, Arizona. The album is notable for featuring multiple iterations of 'Crystal Frontier,' a track that became a definitive statement of their border-blurring sound, blending indie-rock sensibilities with traditional mariachi brass. The inclusion of a Two Loneswordsmen remix highlights the band's interest in the electronic underground, while tracks like 'Chanel No. 5' and 'Crooked Road and the Briar' lean into their strengths as Americana storytellers. Critics, particularly at AllMusic, noted the album's ability to feel like a complete artistic statement rather than a mere collection of outtakes, praising its cinematic scope and evocative atmosphere.