The remainder of Quicksand/Cradlesnakes continues to blend styles and refine previously established directions. The delicacy and subtlety of the percussion throughout might have something to do with Perishable house producer Brian Deck sitting this one out (Graeme Gibson of Boas recorded and mixed). Halfway through, the track evolves into anthemic gospel-tinged rock in the tradition of the Stones' 'Shine a Light', driving the song home with a fantastic refrain that features the typically mysterious line, 'Amputated years are growing back a new shade.' Then comes the gorgeous 'Michigan Girls', so welcoming it almost seems like a nursery rhyme, mostly just voice and guitar, but with nice cello swells and gentle percussion. The opening 'One' is a spacy one-minute instrumental interlude that would sound great behind an experimental film, and it bleeds into the slow country of '', which is built around Rutili's piano and groaning harmonies. In a way, Quicksand/Cradlesnakes is like a summation of all that Califone is about, and the first three tracks alone touch on almost everything the band has done to date. Quicksand/Cradlesnakes is the fleshed-out and focused songwriter's showcase I've been hoping for. While Califone's work has been consistently strong, I've sometimes felt like Rutili's focus on folk has shortchanged his melodic gifts. One essential feature of folk music is that it has be easy to remember, and a certain melodic immediacy and simplicity helps songs get passed down through generations. This development hasn't always been for the best. Rutili has confessed his love for Harry Smith's Anthology of American Folk Music collection, and a large number of his recent songs have been informed by those ancient styles. Califone lives and dies on the strength of Tim Rutili's songs.

Lately, another side of Califone has emerged, an atmospheric improv outfit that released a record of film music called Deceleration One.Ĭalifone's sonic thumbprint seems well suited to soundtrack work, but the instrumental side of the band, while unique, isn't what makes it great. With Califone's second EP and debut full-length, Roomsound, Rutili was able to explore his deep love of folk music, and he alternated his own take on the murder ballad tradition with jagged rock songs that touched on late-period Meat.

Tim Rutili's post-Meat project, Califone, which kept most of his previous band's members, started somewhere near Star Above the Manger but gradually drifted toward calmer waters.

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