The Mavericks The Mavericks
Released: September 23, 2003 Origination Year: 2003 Time: 44:12 Tracks: 11 Produced by: Raul Malo & Kenny Greenberg Style: Studio Format: CD Enhancement: None Label: Sanctuary Records Website: Mavericks
Track Listing I Want To Know In My Dreams Shine Your Light I'm Wondering By The Time Would You Believe I'm Lonely Time Goes By San Jose Because of You Air That I Breathe
The Mavericks Raul Malo: Guitar / Vocals / Melodica Paul Deakin: Drums Robert Reynolds: Bass / Vocals Eddie Perez: Guitar / Vocals

After a four-year hiatus, The Mavericks have returned to follow-up their criminally underrated studio disc, Trampoline (1998), a huge hit overseas which garnered little stateside attention. Their latest platter, The Mavericks (2003) -- the second to bear an eponymous title -- features a slightly revamped line-up of: Raul Malo (guitar/vocals/melodica), Paul Deakin (drums), Robert Reynolds (bass/backing vocals), and Eddie Perez (guitar/backing vocals) replacing Nick Kane (guitar/vocals). Incidentally, this Eddie Perez should not be confused with the co-founder of the legendary Puerto Rican dance band El Gran Combo, who is also credited under the same name.

Completely unaltered in the transition is Malo’s craftsmanship as a timeless singer/songwriter. In fact, this album actually feels more like a continuation of the jazzy, Latin-influenced melodies that permeated Malo’s debut solo effort, Today (2001). Indeed, more so than the fresh fusion of country, traditional Cu-Pop [read: Cuban Pop] and straight-ahead rock and roll that was so perfectly captured on The Mavericks’ universally lauded Music for All Occasions (1995) or the aforementioned Trampoline. That said, you certainly can’t keep this combo from pulling off some uniformly brilliant performances, such as the rugged major-chord Americana crossover hit “I Want To Know”.

Malo’s vocals, which to my ears have always borne a striking similarity to the late great Roy Orbison, capture a palpably dark and edgy quality on “In My Dreams,” contrasting the Sinatra/Jobim-esque balladry of “I’m Wondering”. Other standout tracks include the distinctly pop-flavoured “Would You Believe?,” or the relaxed syncopation on the contemporary country-rocker “Time Goes By,” the latter of which includes a guest shot from Willie Nelson.

Some might initially be turned off by the sublimely scored orchestration, especially on “San José”. However, it refreshingly recalls a mixture of Jimmy Webb’s subtle contributions to “Wichita Lineman” as well as Michael Nesmith’s haunting sense of isolation on his own “Silver Moon”. In light of those unmitigated successes, the disc concludes less than favourably with the somewhat forced big band horn arrangement on “Because Of You”. Likewise, the cover of “Air That I Breathe,” fares less than favourably, as the tune, although given a heartfelt reworking, simply doesn’t suit this band.

If there is a consistent criticism to be levelled at this release, it may well be that, while overwhelmingly good, the choice of material -- not to mention the large number of auxiliary musicians -- seem to clutter what would have benefited from a leaner approach. Long time listeners will certainly not be disappointed with this disc. However, burgeoning enthusiasts should possibly begin with one of the earlier efforts mentioned above.