Josh Beverage
Connector Staff
If you’re interested in hearing some new music, but you’re tired of the generic noise coming from the radio, then the new Mariachi El Bronx album might be worth your time. It’s something new and different, and perhaps the most dichotomous music crossover happening today. What started out as a side project for southern California punk rockers The Bronx has developed into an act that is getting more attention than ever expected. Growing up in southern California where there is a heavy Hispanic presence, the band was exposed to mariachi music, which influenced their styling and eventually resulted in an unconventional yet brilliant punk rock-mariachi group.
If you’ve already been exposed to Mariachi’s other studio works, “I” and “II,” then “III” will be no surprise to you. The group originally was not taken seriously for their act, showing up on stage in mariachi suits and playing music that didn’t seem to fit into any genre. Not a lot of people understood it, but it’s not just an act; this new album is evidence that the band is serious about their music and have matured in the time they’ve spent playing it. In 2009 they toured with The Killers and again in 2011 with Foo Fighters, definitely no small feat.
Their first two albums were really good, without a doubt, but this third album shows a level of comfort that the others did not. What “III” delivers is a full-on effort of mariachi music that the band finally isn’t afraid to put out there. Lead singer Matt Caughthran’s vocals also seem to follow this pattern, pairing nicely with the group’s instrumentals.
The band released the first track off of the album, “New Beat,” in early September. The strings, the horns, the drums – they’re all hard-hitting and perfectly composed, of course supplemented with Caughthran’s signature vocals. It’s catchy, well written and certainly one of the best tracks on the album.
Each one of the 10 songs on the album shows something different about the band and what they are capable of. They can create fast and epic tunes like “New Beat” and “Raise the Dead” or catchy pop-sounding ones like “Everything Twice” and “Wildfires,” and even softer songs like “High Tide” and “Eternal.” There’s something for everyone, but chances are if you like one song you’ll likely enjoy the rest.
Mariachi El Bronx are far from what the rest of the music community is offering today. They’re unafraid to write the songs they want, to experiment and to put everything out there for the world to hear. While this music certainly isn’t for everyone (perhaps not at first, at least) it is something that is worth taking a listen to. Don’t let the name or the strange concept turn you off to the band. It’s rare today to hear something so refreshing, unrelenting and passionate, so give it a chance. The new album from Mariachi El Bronx, “III,” is available in stores and online now.
Final Grade: A-
