Rubén Blades Patria is a very pretty norteño-sounding track that reminds me of the kind of music I'd hear on the radio poking around Austin or San Antonio and a quiet political statement about the nature of one's "Homeland". It manages to clearly and concisely distinguish between "love of one's country" and "jingoism" and it does so with images and stories rather than bombast. It's a "show, don't tell" message that's well done, and well performed.
It'll Never Be Over For Me, is a lush song. It evokes a smoky jazz bar and a velvety voiced singer describing the kind of tenaciousness in a relationship that commonly earns someone a restraining order and a reputation for creepiness. It's smooth and entertaining and straight in the middle of the tradition of "love songs it's best not to think about the words of". Thee Midniters are like a 1960s version of Los Lobos, so it's a natural choice.
It's hard to pick a stand-out on this album, I like all the songs. I think the live version of Marie, Marie may be my personal choice. It's a straight-up rocker that is reminiscent of B.B. King or Chuck Berry. It has the live energy that I've come to expect from hybrid acts. It sounds fun. It doesn't have to be complicated to make my sing along. And that's what I'm looking for.
Article comments
1 - Rodney Welch
This might be worth buying. I just heard the 30-second Amazon samples of "Jockey Full of Bourbon" and "Marie Marie," and I'd love to hear both in full. The Waits song is a surprising choice -- great song, but not the most obvious cover material. The Blasters song, on the other hand, is the kind of rockabilly rave-up that's right up Los Lobos' alley.
2 - Michael Croft
While this cover EP is $9.95 at Amazon, it's available for $6.93 (or less if you don't want all the songs) on the iTunes Music Store. The booklet isn't worth $3, but the other advantages of physical materials may be. If you just want one cut, consider iTunes.