Album Review – The Mavericks – “Moon & Stars” (2024)

May 21, 2024

TriggerReviews21 Comments

Album Review – The Mavericks – “Moon & Stars” (1)

There’s not much better than a song from The Mavericks when they really get a hold of one, and do what The Mavericks do. You’re almost apt to forget or overlook them as a country fan, just because they don’t fit snugly into any country music cubbyhole. But when you’re listening to a ’90s country playlist and a song like “All You Ever Do Is Bring Me Down” or “What A Crying Shame” comes on, it smacks you square in the face with the feels, and reminds you just how spectacular this band has been, and for decades.

Everyone loves to talk about the virtues of ’90s country these days and the era’s resurgence in influence. Let’s not forget that it was The Mavericks who were the CMA’s Vocal Group of the Year in 1995 and 1996. Decades later, songwriter and frontman Raul Malo remains one of the greatest singers of this generation and should be recognized as such, even if he’s stuck in a band that is inextricably stuck between country, Latin music, classic pop, big band, and everything in between.

But the latter stages of The Mavericks have been solidly and unmistakably spent innovating and exploring an American-based version of Latin roots music that has made them incomparable to anything else. Their album In Time that received a 10th Anniversary edition in 2023 remains a landmark masterwork of music that may not be topped in this lifetime or any other. All they can hope to do is live up to it and add to that album’s legacy in this era. That is what their latest album Moon & Stars accomplishes.

The album starts off highly collaborative. “Live Close By (Visit Often)” was originally written by Raul Malo and K.T. Oslin a quarter century ago, and became the title track on Oslin’s 2001 album that was generally panned. But as Malo proves with guest vocalist Nicole Atkins, this song and it’s cunning, arousing songwriting deserves second consideration.

If you’re looking to instill some cosmic, ethereal magic and mystery into a composition, there’s just about nobody better to recruit than Sierra Ferrell. Sierra’s patented ooh’s and her fearlessness to rear back and reach for the sky on her performances sends this song and your inspired heart into the cosmos.

Album Review – The Mavericks – “Moon & Stars” (2)

“Look Around You” with Maggie Rose takes a bit of a turn away from what you expect from The Mavericks with its ’70s crybaby guitar effect and “Kumbuya” lyricism, but with the broad range of influences and adeptness with various soundscapes, it still fits within The Mavericks’ universe, however more on the periphery it might be.

The same is tough to say for “Here You Come Again,” which features Nashville saxophone great Max Abrams. The song comes across almost like a smooth jazz track, and underscores how sometimes The Mavericks can be accused of recycling melodies. The song itself is fine and you applaud the effort to showcase Mr. Abrams. But really it’s his repetitious and cliché part that hinders this track.

You have to give credit to the final song on the album called “Turn Yourself Around” for its uncanny resemblance to a psychedelic-era Beatles song. But it’s so Beatlesesque, it begs the question, why? The answer is likely because The Mavericks can and want to. But along with “Here You Come Again,” it does kind of rob Moon & Stars from the opportunity to present a more cohesive and immersive experience with these wild cards thrown in the mix.

But you can’t allow those tracks to make you overlook the many other excellent Mavericks-style songs Moon & Stars has to offer. Whenever they get into that hybrid ska beat, all is set right in the world. “Overnight Success” featuring fiddle and accordion reminds you a lot of those excellent older Mavericks country songs from the ’90s. It was co-written between Raul Malo, Rick Trevino, and others, and originally recorded by Trevino in 2001.

The dark, pursuant, and horn-driven “Without a Word” is another good example of The Mavericks doing what The Mavericks do, as is “A Guitar and a Bottle of Wine,” which underscores they’re not trying to reinvent the wheel in music, they’re just trying to set a groove and find a mood, and few if any do this better than The Mavericks.

It’s the in-between nature of Raul Malo and The Mavericks that make them so apt to be overlooked in country and beyond, even if their devoted fans could never forget them. But The Mavericks should be for all, because there is something for everyone on Moon & Stars, and in the entire Mavericks catalog.

8/10

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K.T. Oslin, Maggie Rose, Max Abrams, Nicole Atkins, Raul Malo, Rick Trevino, Sierra Ferrell, The Mavericks

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21 Comments

Jerseyboy
May 21, 2024 @ 7:54 am

They are one of the best recorded and live bands to see, really looking forward to this release, hoping they put ‘America’s ‘Ventura Highway’ cover on this that they put out during the China virus, such a great version.
Whatever they do is great! Thanks for the update!

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Jerry
May 21, 2024 @ 7:56 am

Yes, I did add this album to my collection, after skipping many of their albums because of the spanish which I don’t understand. But I did get rid of a few tracks on there which simply didn’t belong.

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- Jerry
  May 21, 2024 @ 12:40 pm
  
  Don’t disregard the Spanish albums. I don’t speak Spanish, but “Recuerdos” is may favorite song. the full, rich instrumentation arrangement, Raul’s vocals and the harmonies are so good, I’m singing along without knowing what I’m singing.
  
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  - wjm
    May 21, 2024 @ 5:18 pm
    
    I’m one of those “devoted fans” Trigger mentioned, I don’t speak Spanish either, and En Espanol is my favorite of all their albums. It’s a true gem.
    
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WuK
May 21, 2024 @ 8:08 am

They are unique live and on record. The superb voice of Malo with a superb band that does not easily fit into any genre. It is just great music and from the first track I knew I was going to like this album and I did. No one should overlook them,. they really are that good and this is a very good album. They produce a great sound. Great group, great album. Well worth a listen as it is such great music.

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Dead Turkey
May 21, 2024 @ 8:21 am

Very talented artists. I put 2 songs on playlists after giving it 2 listens.
I’ve never been a rabid fan.
Thanks for the review.

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- Grievous
  May 21, 2024 @ 8:27 pm
  
  Those are rookie numbers. You gotta pump those numbers up. Check out their cover of Springsteen’s “All that Heaven Will Allow.” Guaranteed add. Chef’s kiss. And just go ahead and add the entirety of their In Time album.
  
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Andrew
May 21, 2024 @ 8:52 am

In a year that’s already been packed with strong releases this might be the new frontrunner for Album of the Year.

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- web
  May 21, 2024 @ 10:08 am
  
  “Album of the Year” . . . . I’d give it that title! I’ve got ALL of The Maverick’s listings and it’s right up there at the top . . . .
  
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Di Harris
May 21, 2024 @ 10:09 am

“Live Close By (Visit Often)” is cute as heck.

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Kevin Smith
May 21, 2024 @ 10:13 am

Is it Country music? No. Raul abandoned that years ago. Do I miss his blend of honky- tonk, Orbison inspired crooning, and rockabilly sounds? Yes.
Yet….he’s embraced a more Latino tex- Mex sound with the accordian being so prominent and the horns taking center on the recordings, and it’s still great musically. Clearly tho, the man never ditched melody, which is a strength he still embraces. So I find myself still digging this band even though they have morphed into something decidedly different than the 90s throwback band we all fell in love with. Sounds pretty good to these critical ears!

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Kevin Bell
May 21, 2024 @ 10:32 am

Just saw them in London. The new songs were fine and fitted into the set list very well. What a live band! Nine great musicians and Raul’s extraordinary voice.

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Luckyoldsun
May 21, 2024 @ 3:16 pm

Raul Malo learned, like Paulette Carlson, Larry Stewart, and Ronnie Dunn, that the equity in a successful group or band is not easily replaceable, even if you were the bigget thing in the group. There are very few Paul Simons.
Lucky for us, it brought Raul back to the Mavericks.

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kapam
May 21, 2024 @ 6:38 pm

A very timely reminder not to forget the Mavericks.
I rate myself a big fan, but I admit I haven’t listened to them in a while.
They sound as good as ever on this release!

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MESS
May 21, 2024 @ 7:43 pm

This is an eye opener, I’ve been a fan of country music for the past 20 years and these guys are new to me. I love the new and old tracks I checked out, right up my alley, great vocals, melody, upbeat rhythm interesting instrumentation. Watch out wallet, we’re gonna be buying some CDs! Thanks Trigger.

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Grievous
May 21, 2024 @ 7:56 pm

I’ve rediscovered the Mavericks after forgetting about them after their 90s heyday. I’ve now seen them 3 times live in the past 2 years, with the Ryman show coming up. The scratch some of the same itches that Dwight does. These guys are amazing, and were way, way, way ahead of their time. I think they’re benefitting, ironically, from the Americana renaissance. Even though they are not easily categorized. Do not miss a chance to see them live. It is joyous. It is rapturous. These guys are a treasure.

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Cooter Brown
May 22, 2024 @ 4:21 am

Love the Mavs. Not sure where they fit on the Dewey Decimal system, but they’re in my personal wheelhouse. And of course Sierra Ferrell can be damned tough to categorize, so working with her has a kind of symmetry.
The Mavericks do a fine version of “Gentle on My Mind”.
It’s awfully nice to see KT Oslin’s name.

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captgadget
May 22, 2024 @ 9:48 am

This one of the best! I’ve always enjoyed their music,

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Max Abrams
May 22, 2024 @ 1:02 pm

Whelp. No such thing as bad publicity 🤣🎷☠️.
Good talk, everyone. Good talk.

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- murf
  May 22, 2024 @ 3:11 pm
  
  i haven’t heard it yet, but you can take a punch, and that’s a good thing…
  
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murf
May 22, 2024 @ 3:16 pm

i don’t know where i got my copy of Trampoline, but it’s deserted island material. that record is flawless. it sounds like elvis and roy orbison meet up with the beatles and they all go to mexico to jam. when raul writes with al andersen, it’s unstoppable. if you’re just discovering this band, Trampoline should be high on your list. “dance the night away” is catchier than covid…

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Album Review – The Mavericks – “Moon & Stars” (2024)

21 Comments

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