Immigration is absolutely a critical issue in this presidential election, and Calexico has more than a few songs about the U.S.-Mexico border and people crossing it. That makes sense: the indie-rock band is from Tucson, Ariz., which is just 60 miles north of the frontier. Yet the Calexico song that stands out as particularly salient isn’t about immigration at all. It’s about surveillance.
“Tapping on the Line” is from the band’s 2015 release, “Edge of the Sun.” Calexico’s eighth studio album came two years after Edward Snowden leaked classified information detailing the U.S. National Security Agency’s global surveillance efforts, which included spying on American citizens in violation of federal law. The song isn’t about that specifically, but it was in the background while the band was writing and recording the album.
“I love the vintage old Casio white plastic synth and drum machine. Late night musings alone in the studio sometimes lead to moments like these,” singer Joey Burns told Tucson Weekly for a track-by-track breakdown of “Edge of the Sun.” “Hearing so much about wire-tapping in the news, it was only a matter of time before a song like this showed evidence of their influence.”
Since then, surveillance hasn’t receded as a concern. There’s been a lot of talk about facial-recognition systems and their (lack of) accuracy, especially with respect to people of color, and reports about the authorities spying on left-wing protest organizations while white supremacists — who have infiltrated law enforcement — get a pass.
“Tapping on the Line” rides a stark beat, while a springy guitar part repeats behind stylized, arpeggiated strumming that accents the rhythm. The track has the arid, enveloping sound that is something of a Calexico trademark, but there’s something chillier here, too, that calls to mind the blurry line between summer and fall. It doesn’t hurt at all that Neko Case sings harmony vocals, which enhance the lonesome feel of the track: someone is listening, but that doesn’t mean you’re not alone.
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