TBTS Reviews: Los Lonely Boys – Rockpango

Even though Los Lonely Boys have a multi platinum album under their belt, won a grammy for their single “Heaven” in 2005, and were nominated for two more in 2006, it still doesn’t seem like they have fully arrived as a major act. Well ladies and gentlemen, that is about to change. Rockpango (Playing In Traffic) is sharp, slick and delivers the goods.

They burned up the stage on the Tonight Show with the title cut, the night before Rockpango was to hit store shelves. Guitarist/vocalist Henry Garza may be one of rock guitars biggest secrets, but if he keeps playing like he did on Leno he won’t be a secret for long. Channeling Stevie Ray Vaughan like few others can even approach, Garza dominated the stage and held nothing back, playing every note like it might be his last (SRV is among those credited in Sainthood as part of the album’s acknowledgments). A band of brothers (Jojo on bass and Ringo on drums), Los Lonely Boys were ‘loosely tight’ and sounded ready to take on the world. They will likely get their chance.

There are some really fun tracks on Rockpango, and that’s a big part of what gives this disc its wide appeal. Borrowing a trick or two from the Sublime camp, “Porn Star” has a very SoCal feel and “16 Monkeys” is just up the PCH from that. “Fly Away” is an excellent choice as the first single, an acoustic showcase that presents the group in possibly its best light so far. The album as a whole might fall a bit short in the lyrical depth category for some, but the vibe and consistently stellar performances should more than make up for any shortcomings. That being said, there are some positive messages to be found here. “Change the World” and “Believe” have two of the most obvious. Got to hand it to the Garza brothers for this one. Adeptly timed to coincide with the coming of spring, Rockpango may well be the sound of the season.