the Mavericks (Sanctuary/EMI) Rating: NNNN Rating: NNNN
Hearing the lush strings, beautiful horn fills and the overall polished sound on the Mavericks’ self-titled sixth album, it’s hard to believe this quartet are considered rebels in Nashville. I guess the country police over in Music City figure that adding roots rock, pop, Latin and R&B to the mix doesn’t fit the guidelines set by radio. Good thing the Mavericks stuck to their guns. Their new disc is filled with lilting ballads and uptempo romps, all played with the exquisite skill that defines the band. Frontman Raul Malo’s voice carries the band well beyond average on every take, even if his channelling of Roy Orbison gets a bit spooky on Too Lonely and I’m Wondering.
