Customer Reviews

The Mavericks

5 star:		(16)
4 star:		(7)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

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.

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...

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.

I bought this CD about three weeks ago and can't stop playing it. Between the smoky soulful ballads, great lyrics, snappy rhythms, and Raul's voice, it's become addictive. Eddie Perez adds even more flavor to the mix and it's great to hear this band back in high form and blowing through all musical barriers. Plus it's a fun sing-along in the car CD - always a bonus! I tried to explain what kind of music they play to a friend who I took to their show here in San Diego recently (a side note, if they play in your town, GO GO GO!! - They're even more fun live and I could easily quit my job and become a Maverickhead. A 'Rickhead? Uh oh...I'll stop there)- are they country? No, no songs about their dog running off with their truck and their wife, rock sounds too hokey, swingy-kinda-country-blusey-Latin-but-not-really-rock was the best I could do. Oh, and Raul's voice and Eddie Perez's playing will bring any self-respecting girl to her knees, especially if you see them live and up close... Great album by a band clearly having a good time and hitting their stride again, definately one of the years best. Enjoy!!!

Raul and the gang have come back with another stomper of an album. Quite simply the most melodic album I have heard in ages.
Some very good pop songs I would say more so than country. I have not stopped playing this album since it arrived 2 weeks ago. I urge everyone to buy it and enjoy it.

They're back, and better than ever!! I just came home from their concert at the House of Blues and they were in fine form.
Raul Malo was channeling everyone from Roy Orbison to Barry Gibb, and the band has never sounded better. New guitarist Eddie Perez fits in seamlessly! They did a lot of songs from the new album, which were amazing, especially Air That I Breathe. If you love their CD's, please treat yourself and see them live sometime if you can. You won't get better entertainment for your dollar!

The Mavericks first album in almost 5 years was worth waiting for. As before, it is difficult to label this newly refreshed group into any commonly held category, and it would be a shame to do so. They are often called "country" but that would discount the many other musical roots they display from one track to the next; R&B, Latin, Pop and Blues all come to mind as I listen to this album. But the overall effect is satisfying, enjoyable and...well, just fun as hell to listen to.

The production values vary from heavy to simple which for this listener, results in a nice surprise now and again. The one thing that is constant is Malo's vox and the talented musicians that make up the core band as well as those they have brought in to make this a very enjoyable collection. Recommended.

Two types of music, art, books, movies, etc. The ones you like, the ones you don't like.

You gotta like the Mavericks. Ashamed to say, after all these years of listening to music, my first exposure. Catchy pop tunes, great talent, and you know, just keeps returning to my CD player.....

And good god, if you ever loved Roy Orbinson, you gotta pick this up. Don't know their history, don't know Mavericks lead singer..... but anyone who doesn't hear Roy all over this production ..... (hmmmm, "By the Time"... "San Jose"). And the first two tracks ("I want to Know" & "In my Dreams")... impossible to stay angry regardless of how bad a day you've had...
All in All.... a big time keeper. Don't know why, but reminds me of Peter Wolf's "Sleepless" (former lead singer of J. Giles), another CD that keeps finding its way to the top of the stack.

You gotta love quality. You gotta love the Mavericks.

The Mavericks are one of those bands that can convert you to like any sound, no matter what kind of mood you're in. I love the album, (although I thought "would you believe" was kinda cheesy,)and it seems that with every Mavericks album, there's at least three or four new songs that capture your emotions. Their sound can turn the toughest of guys into a hopeless romantic. I definitely recomment this album.

This is my first Mavericks album so I wasn't sure what to expect.... so I must say I'm very impressed.

The closest thing I could say is that it kind of sounds like Roy Orbison if he were still alive and making modern music. It's got that kind of country/rockabilly/beautiful voice, good American music, vibe to it.

Very good stuff.... Raul Malo should change his name to Raul Bueno!