MUSIC: THE MEZCALTONES – The Mezcaltones Second

Shane | 7 May 2018 | Reply

MUSIC: THE MEZCALTONES – The Mezcaltones Second
Independent
April 2018
Reviewed by Shane Pinnegar
8/10

A superbly entertaining mashup of Serge Leone spaghetti western heart, Tarantino mariachi grooves, Marty Robbins gunfighter cool and catchy Johnny’s-style cowpunkabilly, The Mezcaltones second offering after 2016’s debut EP is finally here.

Chock full of alt-country cool, rock smarts and Tex-Mex dissolution, it’s a joyous listen, with no shortage of relationship drama, mucho macho cowboy bravado, saloon brawling insouciance, and bareback rider attitude.

A mix of covers and originals, all done in their unique twangadelic style, it’s easy to hear the influence of Dick Dale, Link Wray, Los Lobos and Tito & Tarantula, but their choice of covers will likely bamboozle even ardent fans.

Ennio Morricone is paid homage in a medley of old Western themes, The Byrds’ jangle-tastic I Know My Rider appears, as does The Heavy’s Short Change Hero, Deep Purple’s early And The Address, and Let Love Reign from the aforementioned Los Lobos.

Best of all, though, are the three original tracks, especially Humble Pride, a song which rails against workplace bullying – something many of us have had to cope with over the years. Take note of the powerful video clip the band produced for this number – “and most of all, don’t grind your finger… in anybody’s chest.”