The Mavericks - Live in Austin, Texas

Genre country Publisher Sanctuary Records External Links The Mavericks Sanctuary Records

The Mavericks might be the country act for those who don't like country. Or they might be the roots-rock band for those who don't like roots-rock. Their songs are simple and instantly recognizable, but they probably drive record store employees crazy because they don't know what section to file them under. Their sound is too clean, mainstream and unabashedly melodic to ever be appreciated by hipsters; but in the highly superficial country mainstream they are the ultimate outsiders. Recording a live album in Austin is a smart idea. Anybody who has been to the fabled music city knows that it is as musically engaged and eclectic as they come.

Listening to Live in Austin, Texas, the Mavericks sound more at home than in their actual home of Miami. Hit songs (some, anyway) like "Dance the Night Away," "What a Crying Shame," and "All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down" are positively greeted and buoyantly performed, the ultimate music for your summer backyard barbecue.

Meanwhile, lead singer Raul Malo has the gift of one of the best voices in pop music. Transcendent of genre, it's husky, rich and soaring. The listener is probably going to love or hate the Mavericks based on whether they are partial to Malo's voice.

Then consider me a fan. Malo often channels the emotional theatrics of Roy Orbison, and he's one of the few who can do it without sounding hopelessly corny. When he breaks out the Spanish inflections on the Cuban standard "Siboney," the listener hardly needs to know Spanish to understand Malo's longing. His voice is just that expressive.

This is also as close as the Mavericks have come to releasing a proper retrospective, though this album inexplicably leaves out "I Should Have Been True," perhaps their best song. But it's nice to know they are still around, leaving the genre cataloguing to those who toil away in record stores.