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Mariachi EP Review


This Cd by the three-piece Omaha band Vago is a lively little number. The first song (November and December) is an uptempo love ballad with a Kinks type sound. Slightly distorted power guitars blended with clean guitars. Although most of the people I played it for had trouble with the vocals, I liked it. It might at times seem a little frail, but I felt comfortable with it. I thought he hit the notes quite well and it's got a nice edge. Lots of pain. I'm sure they could do a hot rendition of Lola.

Song two [Cancion Del Mariachi] who knows what this song's about, it's in Spanish. And it rocks, in Spanish. The people who had trouble with his voice did think that he sounded better singing in Spanish. I think he's rippen it up. Yi Yi Yi He does some fine guitar work. When you hear this one, you will be stomping your feet and doing the Mariachi, what ever that is.

Song three [California Girl] this song has a lot of Tom Petty in it, maybe too much. It's a good little rocker with the "Good Girls Don't" beat. I've always had trouble with songs about California. I like California. I justdon't relate to it. It is the whole story about a California girl. "She's a California girl, she's been around the world".

Song four [Speedy's Lament] this tune has got the old Duane Eddy tremolo reverb whammy guitar. It's got an uptempo bleeding heart theme and lots of ambience. Some songs lyrically just don't interest me but this one does. It's got a fun beat so it's not a "shut that crap off" candidate. It does keep the Cd rockin out so I say, "Keep it". It's also got a really fine arrangement, if you're into that.

Song five [What You've Done] this, their longest tune at 5:49, is a real concerto with orchestra and the works. It starts out with just a beat and almost six minutes later it has half the Tabernacle choir doing their thing. If you've got the time, check it out.

And song six [Benjamin] acoustic ditty with what's got to be a real cello, I think I can tell because it's ever so slightly out of tune at brief moments, really well played. Don't let my close inspection throw you. Although it's not the greatest song ever, it's big and good. It's also got a weirdass hook, "Don't ride in Helicopters" Now that means something??