Los Lonely Boys Album: “Sacred”

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.

This album is smokin' hot!

If you're not yet a Los Lonely Boys fan, after listening to this, their second studio album, you will be!! After the release of their first self-titled studio album, I was hooked as a HUGE fan, but still maintained that where the Boys really shined was in their live performances ("Los Lonely Boys Live at the Fillmore" cd and "Texican Style Live from Austin" dvd are available if ya can't get to see em live in concert). But after this studio album, I can't say that anymore! Live OR in the studio, these guys really rock (Texican Style, that is)!

This album adds a deeper dimension to LLB's work, with more of a Hispanic/Cojunto influence present that just makes ya want to get up and move to the music (swaying to the slow stuff and jumping to the fast, driving beat -- sometimes in the same song!), adding to various cuts a horn section (that, at first, having heard some songs live without the brass, I wasn't sure I liked, but now I'm in love with the fuller sound), a button acordian, harmonica, organ (Reese Wynans of Stevie Ray Vaughan's Double Trouble Band on some cuts), and guest vocals of Willie Nelson and the Boys' father, Enrique, Sr., on "Outlaws," a great country rock track paying tribute to all the outlaws in country rock, past, present, known and unknown.

Henry delivers driving, cutting lead guitar riffs, reminiscent of Stevie Ray Vaughan and Carlos Santana (yet even better in so many ways). Jo Jo's free-wheeling bass playing rivals or tops that of Jack Bruce (Cream's outstanding bass player), playing off of and against his brother's lead, and Ringo's talented drum-work provides the punch necessary to compete with his brother's guitars. Add to all of this, the brothers' beautifully blended harmonies (only possible from blood relations, i think) and you can't help but singing along!

Listen to the words of the songs here, whether the hard pumping rock or the slower "ballads" -- they deliver great messages, and actually say something positive about life, love, and family (a rarity in the popular music industry these days).

Any of the tracks here could be hit singles and it's hard to pick a favorite! (although the rebelious "My Way," the harmonic syncopation and guitar work of "Orale," the up-tempo Mexican sound of "Oye Mamacita," "Texican Style," and "Outlaws" are definite selections!) I definitely disagree with another of the reviews here which was somewhat critical of the last half of the album! "Texican Style," with its Cojunto beat, is a fun song and will definitely get you dancin'! "One More Day"'s message, with it's gorgeous harmonies, is inspiring, calling on us to show some more love for our fellow man while we still have time, while Henry's wah-wah on lead guitar is classic. The Mexican beat of "Memories," the toe-tapping melody of "My Loneliness," the catchy harmonica of "Home," and the melodic "Living My Life" with its great guitar riff, round out the perfect album.

The Boys already have one Grammy win and a second Grammy nomination under their belts with their first album and this second studio enterprise is sure to garner more awards.

This deluxe version includes a 22-minute dvd of fun-loving interviews and energy-packed acoustic performances of six of their new songs, some still unfinished as of its taping, showing the raw progression of their work to that of the final version of the cd. It also gives a glimpse of the Boys love of familia and the music and highlights their diversity and talent.

Buy it! You won't regret it!!!

First album was fantastic and the boys deliver yet again. Strong harmonies, catchy tunes, inventive guitar playing , slinky rythms, theyre all here in spades. Every track is excellent. The standout for me on the album was "Outlaws" ...featuring their dad and Willie Nelson contributing vocals... Country Bluesrock is a good description of the song. Its like Waylon Jennings/Johnny Cash meet Stevie Ray Vaughan/Jimi Hendrix. Fantastic stuff.

Sophomore efforts are usually a band's weakest attempt. If that be the case, then Los Lonely Boys are going to be just fine. Sacred is a very pleasing second album from this group of Texicans from San Angelo. They have matured as songwriters, even though they wrote all of this album while on tour in support of their successful self-titled debut, the only exception being Diamonds, which was written back in the mid-1990s, and originally put on their 1998 small-label debut on SofaKing records (good luck finding it).

Speaking of a girl's best friend, Diamonds is the first single, and is an attempt to replicate what Heaven did on the debut. It's light and breezy, with uplifting sing-along lyrics. It's a pretty cool little song. But like Heaven, on this album you need to dig a little deeper to find the real treasures. To me, the best songs are the defiant My Way, Orale, the slammingly Spanglish track Oye Mamacita (I dare you to hear the verse and not have it in your head for days), the rocking Roses (which should be the next single), and the reflective My Lonliness, which is with its melody, lyrics, and harmonies make it the best song on the album. Then there is Outlaws, a tribute to past country music outlaws like Willie, Waylon, and Merle. Speaking of Willie, the Red-Headed Stranger makes a vocal appearance on this song as well as LLB's father, Enrique Garza. Very good tune, should cross over into the country market, if you ask me. To me, if I was a record executive, I'd release Roses as the next single, followed by either Oye Mamacita, Orale, or My Way, and release Outlaws to the country crowd. But what do I know, right? Plus wouldn't it be cool if a song became a hit with these lyrics:

"Don't tell me how to live my life

Don't tell me how to pray

Don't tell me how to sing my song

Don't tell me what to say

Because I believe that miracles happen everyday

I don't care what you say

I'm gonna do it my way"

The ultimate F*** YOU to the low-down record companies who push nothing but filth on our ears while artists like Doyle Bramhall II and Joe Bonamassa and others go un appreciated. Thank you LLB.

Now, there are some negatives. After all, I did give this thing 4 instead of 5 stars. First of all, while the production is clear and crisp, I think some of the backing instrumentation should've been deleted. For example, the horns on My Way did not have to be there. I've heard live versions of this song, that song is strong enough to stand on its own without it. I don't mind different layers of guitar parts, but sometimes these extra bells and whistles take away from the song. Some say this is maturity. I say they're a strong enough band they don't need it. Second, while all the songs rate from excellent to pretty good and very listenable, I probably could've deleted about 1 or 2 songs, streamlined it and made it a five star album.

However, these are minor quibbles. On the whole, this is an excellent release by the Texican Rock N Rollers, and they avoided putting out something that tries to sell copies, which was most important. They just put out some good music, and that's admirable in the face of all the success they had. I put it right up there with the new releases this year by Joe Bonamassa (You & Me), Indigenous (Chasing The Sun), and The Derek Trucks Band (Songlines). Do yourself and those within listening distance a favor: buy it, crank it, live it, and rock on.

As another LLB fan doing reviews here, I've got to add some additional comments to what's been shared so far.

While many of us have heard the bulk of the songs on this album as we've gone to shows or attended fan gatherings here in Texas, the finished album is a thing of beauty!

Let's review a bit. Sure, los hermanos Garza have to overcome their own success with the first album, and the runaway popularity of "Heaven"...after all, multi-platinum is a very high standard to set - but they did that after years in the dives and on the road. And the road to this album has had its share of bumps. LLB will overcome.

And let's dispense with "blues", "Tejano" and all the rest of the labels, too, while we're clearing the air. It is "Texican Style" folks...and it is a singular definition that applies only to Los Lonely Boys.

Arrangements. Some folks have observed that the songs are loaded - or perhaps "larded" - up with additional instruments to the detriment of the music. Fattening up the arrangements appears to have been born on the road, with the boys in control. While out on the road with Ozomatli, the boys invited the Ozo horn section to sit in on My Way. It makes real sense. Watch the video segment for Henry working the button accordian for Texican Style to see another family musical influence coming back to the fore. Who else on the pop/rock scene would bring a button accordian to the party? Last thought on this topic is - so what if there are more musicians working? As a dear friend of mine reminded me, if LLB performs these songs without all that backup, we're back to an LLB pure play. Either way, we all win!

Now for the songs:

My Way: Has gone from being a gritty, spit in your eye song to a powered up spit in your eye song. When I first heard it, I found it less than attractive, but this one will grow on you. Again, the horns just make sense!

Orale: The original title of the album, and maybe the most slaughtered (from a pronunciation standpoint) title on the CD. Has some interesting things buried in it - one chord progression in particular makes you HAVE to pay attention to this song.

Diamonds: We reach back to the original album for this one, with new lyrics...and it becomes the first single.

Oye Mamacita: This was being pieced together when the fan team, now called La Onda, first met at Stubbs in July of 2004. The song has matured beautifully!

I Never Met A Woman: This one has the power to replace Santana's Europa as the most played song at quinceaneras and weddings. It is a super powered snugglin' song, as any number of live performances will show. It put the crowd into their seats and couples close together when played in San Diego last year. And with the re-sequenced ending, it reminds us of LLB's roots.

Roses: The comment has already been made that Pat Simmons helped construct this. That is hardly a fatal flaw! The live version feels even more like a Doobies song - and later this year (2006), LLB will hit the stage along with the Doobies - which should be a real opportunity for some jams!

Texican Style: This one makes me think of a Texas river bottom, under the pecan trees, and a simple musical mix that presents a great jam opportunity. Imagine Ringo setting up a simple beat and Jojo and Henry joining in...while any number of "traveling musicians" take the time to fatten it up acoustically. This is the one that is set up with a button accordian. And don't miss the scat / voiceover at the end. "She was making goo-goo eyes at ME, man!"

One More Day: Unlike almost everyone else, I think this song has the potential to be the next "Heaven" - it reminds us that LLB are spiritual men, and that hope is an undying thing. Far and away my personal favorite song from this album. And the acoustic version of this on the DVD is fabulous.

Memories: Debuted at the Greek Theater in July, 2005, this song is cool and introspective. Could prove that LLB could do well in a real smoky jazz lounge.

My Loneliness: Yes, a Beatles feeling song, and evidently Sir Paul thought so too at the Bridge School. The inspiration for this song has been cussed and discussed by fans for quite a while, but it has a peace and beauty that is gorgeous.

Outlaws: Another song that I was not not fond of on first hearing, but which has its place in the LLB songbook. And not, in my opinion, as the possible country crossover, but as another song that shows LLB's determination to succeed outside the rules that everyone else must follow.

Home: Also in construction for a while - and one that has blossomed incredibly. And that harp sounds like Stevie Wonder...Henry sure can bend!

Living My Life: In company with My Way, this song reminds us that three fairly young men from San Angelo are creating a path of their own in the world. Also gritty - but with a subtle defiance - maybe a wry celebration - of the endurance required to be a traveling act.

A last tip-of-the-hat. I once heard someone close to the band talk about all the elements of good musical performance, one of which is to work the songwriting and lyrics muscles. LLB songs are simple - but nowhere near as predictable as most country music. Simple is not bad...it is just simple. And simple can be quite artistic.

Gymnastic chord progressions and fractured syncopation may be desireable...and the rhythmic pounding associated with some other contemporary popular music may move feet to a different beat.

But whether you are in your 20s or your 80s, you'll catch some pretty eternal emotions in these lyrics. A reminder - and an inspiration - from some pretty simple words that come right from the heart.

So yet again, I have to recommend that you visit iTunes or whereever you get your music, and get a copy of Sacred and start soaking it up! Have fun. And take note that Los Lonely Boys are back, strong and vital!