As their career progresses,
the Mavericks are becoming more of a showcase for vocalist/frontman
Raul Malo, both for better and for worse. They may be losing their band identity, but that may have been inevitable, considering that
Malo is such a gifted, powerful musician. He is the driving force behind all of the group's stylistic fusions, their blend of
honky tonk with
country-rock, classic
rock & roll,
pop, and
Latin. On
Music for All Occasions, the stylistic blends sounded a little gimmicky, but the band sounds revitalized on
Trampoline -- even the vaudevillian
"Dolores" rings as true as the shuffling,
cha-cha "I Should Know." If anything, the album is the least "
country" album
the Mavericks have ever done, but that's primarily because all of their influences have blended seamlessly together, creating an original, altogether intoxicating sound. Furthermore, they're not simply surface --
Malo's songs are clever constructions, ranking among the most imaginative roots songwriting of the '90s. His writing, combined with his band's musical panache, makes
Trampoline a ride worth taking. ~ Thom Owens
