Alejandro Escovedo

Burn Something Beautiful

FANTASY/PROPER. CD/DL/LP

One of many reasons not to build a wall between the US and Mexico.

The son of Mexican immigrants to Texas, Alejandro Escovedo, now almost 66, still has audible charisma and impeccable rock’n’roll credentials. His first solo album in four years was co-written with Peter Buck of R.E.M. and Scott McCaughey of The Minus 5, and the pair also produced Burn Something Beautiful, a bold and celebratory affair with shades of Transatlantic glam and Willy DeVille’s tarnished sass. Sleater-Kinney’s Corin Tucker and Decemberists drummer John Moen are among the other guests who catch Escovedo’s fire on stand-outs such as Thought I’d Let You Know and Johnny Volume. But it’s mini street symphony Beauty Of Your Smile, twoparts New York Dolls to onepart Jad Fair(!), which really storms your heart. “There’s no safe way home when you are made of light,” drawls Escovedo, concerned about his glamorous inspiration's transit across the city.