Founded in 1989, the Tex-Mex/Americana style of Miami’s The Mavericks has been gracing the country music scene for over 25 years – with six studio albums, fourteen singles, and several music awards (ACA, CMA, and Grammy), they released their first album in two years, Brand New Day, on March 31, 2017.
After a short stint in the Punk/Alternative music scene, the group signed with MCA Nashville, recorded three albums under the label, all seeing success in the mid-late 90’s. They released a “best of” album titled Super Colossal Smash Hits of the 90’s: The Best of The Mavericks, which included three new tracks. In 2012, the band signed with Valory Music Co, part of Big Machine Records, and released three more albums before parting ways for the second time in June of 2016.
With years of experience both of success and heartache, the band has announced the release of their first album on their own independent label, Mono Mundo Recordings. Brand New Day speaks for itself of how the band is approaching their new label, lives, and the world in which we live in now. The album is a strong compilation of 60’s Soul, Tejano inspired rhythm, with a range of a Country-Latin sound, and there’s even a Waltz! The album also showcases sounds reminiscent of The Beatles (“Brand New Day) and Roy Orbison (“I’ll Be yours”).
With the 60’s soul influence is notably, the title track starts out with that old 60’s arrangements. The catchy tune “Brand New Day” starts, ironically with the chorus, then feeds into the first verse with the lead singer, Raul Malo’s, crisp clear tenor tone. The lyrics speak volumes of a man not wanting to lose his love.
Baby tomorrow’s a brand new day
We’re gonna love all our troubles away
I don’t wanna live like a ghost from the past
You’re not the first but you will be my last
There’s always a doubt and always a fear
That maybe this time it’s all really over
(It’s all really over)
It’s more than a game I don’t wanna lose
There’ll never be another like you
(Another like you)
Baby tomorrow’s a brand new day
We’re gonna love all our troubles away
I don’t wanna live like a ghost from the past
You’re not the first but you will be my last
Each tune has its own sound, but certain instruments remain the same in all. Heavy steady beats of the drum, subtle strums of the guitar, and a whole lot of Accordion. Which brings me to “Goodnight Waltz”. The slow steady march of the waltz is eloquently played through the Accordion, piano, and a little brass. The song is beautifully sung while the lyrics, written by Malo and Alan Miller, take the listener into this picturesque albeit, fairy tail – Goodnight.
Here I stand before your eyes
I’m just a man whose realized
another dream has come into light
so I’ll say goodnight
I’ll say goodnight to you
I’ll say goodnight to you
so farewell and not goodbye
So I’ll say goodnight
For a more of the Country-Latin feel, there’s “For The Ages”, while it relies heavy on the accordion, it’s the added steady strums of the guitar and drum beats that give it the Tejano sound. This album is more than an eclectic arrangement of musical genres, it’s an amazing mix of old, new, and classic nuances. Catchy fun tunes that old fans and new will be pleased with.
Track List:
Rolling Along
Brand New Day
Easy As It Seems
I Think of You
Goodnight Waltz
Damned (If You Do)
I’ll Be Yours
Ride With Me
I Wish You Well
For The Ages
For more information about this album, the band, or tour information, please visit: www.themavericksband.com