Oedipus Tex: "Borracho Corazon"

When Eric Caldera of instrumental-rock trio El Valiente introduced his singer-songwriter project Oedipus Tex to Madison a few years back, his vocals and overall presence felt strangled by shyness. Borracho Corazon has confidence and depth that balances out the cryptic anxiety: On opener "Leave Room," he sings, in a near-whisper, "between the knick-knacks in your tomb/there ain't a space to fucking move." "Funny Thing" and "El Corazon" show how well Caldera's flickery way with a guitar melody can translate to a spare acoustic setting. But he just as often expands on the songs with warm electric guitar and with guests, including Monica Martin of whimsical indie band Phox, who sings a wry duet with Caldera on "In Plaid."