A group of seasoned musicians featuring three Texans and one NY native, The Last Bandoleros are one of country music's most promising new acts. The band features Jerry Fuentes on guitar and vocals, Derek James (guitar & vocals), Diego Navaira (bass & vocals) and Emilio Navaira (drums & vocals) and they blend influences as wide-ranging as the Tejano, British Invasion-like harmonies and indie rock and soul influences into an interestingly unique blend that feels like a blast from the past while bringing vibrant familiar sounds into the present; Not unlike their obvious comparison in the Country/Americana realm for which they roam, The Mavericks. But while The Mavericks have one front voice, this Country/Americana fab four features for distinctive vocalists all equally able to sing lead vocals just like The Beatles.
The songwriting on this six track album is sturdy from their debut single “Where Do You Go,” a harmonic tour de force, to the EP opener “Maria,” a song which recalls Rooney, Phantom Planet and a little bit of the Monkees with harmonies and vocals. The insturmentals are straight up surf rock mixed in a blender with Americana twang and swagger while “I Don’t Want To Know” is a breezy slice of Texas influenced swampy soul while “Get Down” is just as jovial as “Take Me To It” is an example of the kind of hustling country/rock one can expect to see at one of their concert tour dates.
With just six songs The Last Bandoleros have delivered one of the most-unique opening salvos in modern music. Hard to classify because of their influences, the band may find a tough road at commercial country or rock radio but if you really listen to the music, this is a band that deserves to be heard loud and clear and live. I can’t wait to hear their full-length album.
0 Comments