Review Summary: Although Sacred doesn’t have a chart-topping song on it like "Heaven", it is still a worthy sophomore release.
They are the 3 words that any band does not want to hear describe them: “one hit wonder.” Sadly, the “Texican” blues band Los Lonely Boys has become this very thing. After the outstanding commercial success of “Heaven”, the Garza brothers have left the radio faster than they were catapulted onto it. In 2006 they released their follow-up CD, Sacred, and although it doesn’t have a chart-topping song on it, it is still a worthy sophomore release.
This album does not stray too far from the stylings of the band’s first release, but that doesn’t make it any worse. Los Lonely Boys have always had just the right of mixture of rock, pop, blues, country, and latin influence in their music. This mixture gives them a fresh sound that is unique to any other band that has graced the radio in the past few years. The band switches between these styles almost seamlessly throughout the album. Whether it is the straight-up rock on the leadoff track “My Way”, the catchy pop harmonies in “Diamonds”, the latin-flavored blues of “I Never Met a Woman”, or the Texas country of “Outlaws, the band is perfectly comfortable and pulls it off with their own sound.
While the song styles differ from song to song, one thing remains constant. Henry Garza’s guitar. It is no surprise to anyone that heard the last album that Henry Garza is a great guitar player. His style is a curious blend between Stevie Ray Vaughan and Carlos Santana. He is quietly one of the best guitarists of the 2000’s and while his style is far from innovative, he still has a great sense for what works in solos and fills. The band’s sound is a melting pot, but his guitar playing perfectly fits whichever style the song is in.
Even though Henry is the spotlight in most of the songs, his brothers are still pretty good as a rhythm section. While neither will blow you away by showcasing their talent, they play well in the context of the songs. This album doesn’t have a song where the band just flat out jams, like “Onda” from the last album, but if you listen close enough to the songs you will still hear the high quality musicianship.
If this album has one weakness, it is that it’s too long for its own good. Much of the second half gets repetitive. While none of the songs are bad, it is rather easy to skip over some of them.
So even though it is becoming apparent that this band may forever be known as a one hit wonder, they don’t deserve the negativity associated with that label because their music is much better than most of the pop that is on the radio today.
Recommended Tracks:
Roses
Oye Mamacita
My Way
I Never Met a Woman
