A long-time favorite group of this blog has been The Krayolas. I reviewed La Conquistadora and Best Riffs Only, and found that the band thrives on that razors edge between latino and British pop influences. Once again, Hector Saldana and the group make catchy merseybeat melodies with trademark horns on the opener “Marie Laveau.” This third album gets very topical with the single “Corido Twelve Heads In A Bag” which starts with a festive accordion intro, and turns into a Dylanesque comment on the Mexican drug wars. “So Happy” is a transitional, rough rock song that sounds anything but, with some great guitar riffs here, although the vocals get lost and the harmonies are a bit off (on purpose). But this is just a diversion from the traditional songs about girls and falling in love. The best ones here “Chola Song” and “Hurting Me Baby” are straight out of The Monkees playbook and a a joy to listen to. We come back to the Bob Dylan blues on the title track “Long Leaf Pine” and even a little bit of Elvis Presley on “Eleventh Sunday in Ordinary Time.” But by the albums mid-point, we get to the Krayolas we all know and expect. The gentle “Fish Out Of Water” and bar room harmonies of “I Wanna Fall in Love Again” have those great chord changes and Beatley melodies you cannot resist. The Dave Clark Five styled “Matter Of Time” is another standout here. It ends with the lounge jazz stylings of “Every Little Heart” on a weary note, but the band does successfully explore new sounds without losing it’s core audience. I also love the fact that the cover parodies The Rolling Stones “Out Of Our Heads” album design. No matter the style, The Krayolas prove they can make it sound good and catchy. Once again, Viva La Krayolas!
