Sacred

Los Lonely Boys

Product Details

• Audio CD (July 18, 2006)
• Original Release Date: July 18, 2006
• Number of Discs: 1
• Label: Sony
• ASIN: B000BHNLY4
• In-Print Editions: MP3 Download
• Average Customer Review: 4.5 out of 5 stars See all reviews (65 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #24,324 in Music (See Bestsellers in Music)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com
One of the few contemporary bands to land a decidedly roots-rock song on the charts with 2004's Grammy-winning "Heaven," Los Lonely Boys solidified their status as youngsters with an established sound on their first disc. On this highly anticipated studio followup, all talk of the sophomore jinx dissipates with the opening soul-drenched riff rocker "My Way." Although horns are added for extra drama, the three Garza brothers nail this groove as Henry's Stevie Ray Vaughan-fortified guitar powers one of the boys' most fiery performances. Supporter and mentor Willie Nelson joins on the wah-wah driven, Waylon Jennings-styled "Outlaws," as does the brothers' musician father Enrique Sr. Tough midtempo ballads such as "Home" and the very Santana-ish "I Never Met a Woman" follow in the footsteps of "Heaven" as candidates for slow dance song of the year.

Anyone entranced by the Garzas' debut will be thrilled by this classy followup that tightens some of the loose ends but displays additional confidence resulting from two years of nearly nonstop road work. The band spotlights its Tex-Mex roots on the accordion-driven "Texican Style," where near-perfect vocal harmonies drive an irresistible bluesy shuffle. Most encouraging is that Los Lonely Boys haven't succumbed to commercial pressure since their surprise hit debut. Rather, they have refined and organically expanded their approach, and crafted another classy, committed, radio-friendly Americana gem that meshes blues, Mexican, and soul with a spicy topping of hot-sauce musicianship. --Hal Horowitz

Más Lonely Boys

Live at Blue Cat Blues	Los Lonely Boys	Live at the Fillmore

Product Description
Since their worldwide breakout in 2004, Texican trio Los Lonely Boys - brothers Henry, JoJo and Ringo Garza - have achieved multi-platinum album sales, a Grammy Award (their monster hit 'Heaven' won Best Pop Performance by a Duo or Group in 2005), and widespread acclaim from critics, fans and other musicians. All those experiences and more inform their commanding, propulsive new album, 'Sacred,'.

'Sacred' finds the Boys writing and playing with a new confidence, stretching their subject matter and arrangements on the album's thirteen songs, all of which they wrote or co-wrote. 'Sacred' opens with the killer one-two punch of "Diamonds," the album's anthemic first single, and "My Way," a defiant guitar shuffle that reminds listeners why Guitar World magazine named Henry Garza the Breakthrough Artist of the Year in a 2005 cover story. "My Way" also finds LLBs adding a horn section to their signature mix for the first time. Elsewhere on the album, they add other new colors to their arrangements including button accordion, Hammond B3 and Fender Rhodes, Wurlitzer electric piano and Henry's virtuosic Harmonica playing.

Other highlights on 'Sacred' include "I Never Met A Woman," the Boys' most soulful ballad to date, the impossibly catchy lament of "Roses," and "Outlaws," a song which features two distinguished guest vocalists: LLBs mentor Willie Nelson, and their father, Enrique Garza Sr. Mr. Garza - a talented Tejano and country musician in his own right - taught his sons to play their instruments, and enlisted them to be his backing band from an early age. His appearance on 'Sacred' brings the first family of Texican rock n' roll full circle.

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

30 of 34 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Sophomore blues? Yeah, right!, July 18, 2006

By	DanD - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER)

Los Lonely Boys (los Hermanos del Garza, if I may be allowed to practice my rudimentary Spanish) have a knack: combining expert musicianship with catchy rhythms/lyrics. The result is spectacular--their debut album was a knock-out, and their sophomore effort only continues to display their many talents.

From heartbreak to eternal love, to divine devotion, SACRED is an album of...well, sanctity. These three gentlemen seem to worship their music, to thrive on their melodies...and we can only thank them for it. The songs here are just as enjoyable as those on the first (there's no instrumental this time around, but the guys get enough picking/playing room to display their versitile talents), and the duet with father Enrique Sr. and Willie Nelson is pure outlaw enjoyment (good thing the song is entitled "Outlaws"). SACRED is a true rock/Tejano/Texicano/country/blues record...it is an album celebrating the virtues of music, by 3 of the most talented musicians today.

17 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Lonely No More, July 20, 2006

By	B. Niedt (Cherry Hill, NJ United States) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Los Lonely Boys' debut studio album established them as the "wunderkinds" (wunderkinder?) of roots-rock, with a very accomplished combination of Santana-meets-SRV guitar and tight vocal harmonies - and they scored a huge radio hit with "Heaven". On their sophomore studio effort, they seem to be nailing it down to a formula, and their music seems just a bit more "polished". But that also means some of the excitement and fire of the first album seems to be missing. Maybe the novelty has worn off a little, or maybe it's just that the Garza brothers have settled into a comfortable groove. After all, their lyrics aren't going to set the songwriting world on fire, and they'll never be mistaken for a "groundbreaking" band. On the other hand, they are still as deft with the guitar licks and vocals as ever, and there are some tunes here that stand out. "Diamonds", for instance, could join "Heaven" as another big radio hit. The opener, "My Way" (no, not the Ol' Blue Eyes song) is also a passionate rocker. Also worthy of airplay are "Roses", "Texican Style", "Outlaws" (on which they are joined by their dad, as well as their buddy and unofficial mentor, Willie Nelson), and the closing number, "Living My Life", which comes closest to a freewheeling performance indicative of their live sets. (Check out "Live at the Fillmore" for an excellent chronicle of their live performances.) It's hard to argue with success, especially when it's attained through such fine musicianship. So let me put my quibbles aside and recommend this CD. It may seem like more of the same from this band, but that "same" is still pretty damn good blues-rock.

11 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars That BIG new sound we've been waiting for., July 23, 2006

By	Alec (Austin, Texas) - See all my reviews

Two words to describe the new Los Lonely Boys CD, "Sacred"? Raw polish. Edgy jams and sound fattened up with organ and percussion accent the blend of Tejano and Blues, coming together to create a big sound of their own. Welcome to "Texican"! On a side note, I really hope LLB considers full band membership and recognition for their side keyboardist.

It has been years since I have heard such a universally accessable CD like "Sacred", and I feel that LLB will reel in millions of new fans and quiet the naysayers.

Unlike their self titled "debut", LLB are granted production credit on this brilliant and soaring sophomore effort. In a day and age where current acts are molded in the image of the almighty record company empty suits, the Boys assert their independence with songs like "My Way" and "Oye Mamacita". Sure, some of the tracks were optimized for extensive airplay...but so what!! "Roses", I feel, is destined to be a single that blows the band through the top of the charts and I hope it is their second single. I counted at least 8 songs of the 13 that could potentially have broad radio appeal, but ALL the songs are great in their own right.

I am beaming with pride that my Texican boys from San Angelo are at the vanguard of a big new sound! "Sacred" is 54 minutes of Heaven!