The Mavericks

Mavericks | Format: Audio CD

Product Details

• Audio CD (September 23, 2003)
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sanctuary Records
• ASIN: B0000C7PWQ
• Also Available in: Audio CD  |  MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (30 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #48,850 in Music (See Top 100 in Music)
  • #29 in Music > World Music > Caribbean & Cuba > Cuba > Salsa

Track Listings

1. I Wanna Know

2. In My Dreams

3. Shine Your Light

4. Wondering

5. By The Time

6. Would You Believe

7. A Little Too Lonely

8. Time Goes By

9. San Jose

10. Because of You

11. Air That I Breathe

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com

On their first album since 1998, the Mavericks have finally made a Career Move that Matters--they’ve ditched the desperate, ultra-cool factor and settled down to play straight-head, unselfconscious pop. If Raul Malo & Company had simply done this earlier, it might have buoyed their off-and-on career, and moved them beyond country radio, where they never really belonged in the first place. As such, the album signifies a rebirth, reflected in the self-titling of what amounts to their reunion album. From the opening cut, the driving "I Wanna Know," the band immerses itself in the thrill and energy of ‘60s British pop, with the usual side trips to the graves of Roy Orbison and Elvis Presley, and to the sonic birthplace of Malo’s Cuban heritage. While a faithful remake of the Hollies’ "The Air That I Breathe" closes the record, it sets the scene for the album as a whole with its grandiose and theatrical homage to obsessive love. At last, the melodramatic Malo never sounds overreaching, because he’s made the material match his nearly operatic vision. Throughout, The Mavericks is smart, sophisticated, and knowing, from its lush and sensuous cocktail forays ("Wondering," "A Little Too Lonely"), to its sexy Latin come-on ("San Jose") and swingy shuffle ("Because of You"), the latter of which recalls the way Presley updated hoary country songs recycled from Hank Snow and Eddy Arnold. Still, it’s not the ghost of either of the big Hanks that hangs over this album, but Phil Spector. A dazzling comeback, and one of the year’s best albums. --Alanna Nash

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

13 of 14 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars They just keep getting better, September 28, 2003

By 

J. Werfelman (Sciota, Pa USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mavericks (Audio CD)

The mavs are back with another record that defies characterizarion
which builds on everything they've done to this point. The
opener"I want to know" bring us back to the golden
exuberance of british 6o;s pop. From there we go to
all the places this band has gone before and more.

"Wondering" takes us back to where elvis and roy orbison
hold court. Time goes by with a guest appearance by willie
Nelson is a showcase for both Willie's and Raul's
distinctive vocals. "Because of You" a hot shuffle
along the likes of "Dance the night away" has you wondering
why youhaven't heard it on the radio. Thecloser,a perfecto
cover of the Hollies classic,"Air that I breathe", again
showcases Raul's fabulous vocals.

This is a great album and its more than a crying shame
you probably won't here it on the radio.

10 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars No filler!, February 10, 2004

By 

J. Mehrtens "Music and movie fanatic" (Dixon, MO United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mavericks (Audio CD)

I don't write many reviews of CDs. Not many jump out and grab me like this one does. For a guy like me with a large CD collection to choose from, it's very rare for me to play the same CD even twice in months, let alone the 5-6 times I've listened to this one since I got it two weeks ago. I already find myself singing along with the songs, even after only a few spins. These songs are that accessible. So if you're a music snob who frowns on catchy songs with memorable melodies and tight musicianship, preferring to show how cool you are by distancing yourself from such "dribble" and listening only to music no one has ever heard of (for good reason...), this isn't the album for you. If you liked The Mavericks' "Music For All Occasions", this one is even better and you'll absolutely love it.

I'm not going to do a song-by-song breakdown. I don't read those on other reviews, so I know if I did it, mine would be bypassed in similar fashion. But suffice it to say that, like my subject line implies, there is really no filler on this album. Just a cohesive string of excellent songs. You won't be disappointed if you buy this--but you won't be buying it from me since I won't be getting rid of mine.

By the way, I enjoyed the statement of another reviewer who said that if Raul Malo sang gibberish, they'd enjoy even that. Really makes me wonder if they have heard his solo album. Not everything he touches turns to gold...

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Welcome Back, November 17, 2003

By 

Larry White (AdultPop.com) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: The Mavericks (Audio CD)

Their last album, Trampoline (1998), remains one of our most frequently played. So it is indeed a delight to salute the Mavericks' triumphant return, after a hiatus which allowed leader Raul Malo to indulge his penchant for Latin music on his terrific solo album 'Today'. Resuming right where they left off, The Mavs have honored us with another set of ear-catching tunes over a similar range of styles, from merengue to waltz, with the same range of influences, from Patsy Cline to The Beatles. Their sound is vintage-no trace of the hip or the hop, their spirit ebullient. Fronted by vocalist nonpareil Malo and backed by a studio full of talented musicians, this fillerless record is orchestral and Orbisonic (we're thinking of patenting that word). We welcome the Mavericks back.