(TVT)
Take Collective Soul-esque '70s riffing, add glammy vocals (a la Jellyfish/Imperial Drag singer Eric Dover, or Mother Love Bone's late Andrew Wood) and garnish with hearty doses of Santana-style Latin percussion and feel-good lyrics, and one might have the approximate recipe of the Austin, Texas quintet Vallejo. TVT Records snapped up the band after watching Vallejo's eponymous debut sell 5,000 copies locally, bringing the album to national shelves.
Like so many other bands, Vallejo is a family affair. The band features not one, not two, but three brothers; singer/lead guitarist A.J., drummer Alejandro, and bassist Omar, all bearing the surname that gives the act its name. Guitarist Bruce Castleberry and percussionist Steve Ramos fill out the rest of the act.
It is hard to believe that Vallejo was produced for a local indie label, as the bright and clean production stands out as having the production values of a record with a much larger budget. Kudos to producer Steve Peck (and the band, who get co-credit) for his excellent work.
The opening track, "Shining Sun", kicks Vallejo off in grand style, its muscular riffs and smooth vocal harmonies marking it as one of the record's best tunes. "Life Story" and "Nomad" slide into easier, midtempo Spanish grooves. "Omega", "Sangre'", and first single "Just Another Day" follow the chunky rock-oriented stylings of the opening track. "Just Another Day" stands out as most distinctive, due to its "voicebox" vocals, harmonica, wah-wah riffing, and handclapped chorus.
Too bad there aren't more songs quite as distinctive on Vallejo. While the album is extremely well-played and produced, the songs do tend to run a bit together, especially towards the end. This happens despite the generally good variance of tempos throughout. I'm going to have to place the emphasis on the somewhat one-dimensional vocals and lyrics, which are not particularly weak or strong, being mostly good-natured invitations to party, elementary discourses of life on the road, and life's joys and hardships. The other songs that stand out in particular do so due to an injection of an additional element, as evidenced by the wicked funk of "House (Casa De Amor)" or the chugging soft-hardcore riff and clanky bass of "Boogieman".
Still, Vallejo is an impressive debut, and one that could see success in both the United States and Mexico. The musically illiterate may try to lump Vallejo with 311, but the two acts deal with two completely different ethnicities of music. The band is most likely lots of fun live (and probably touring a college campus near you), and stand only to improve with their next effort. Recommended for fans of any of the bands mentioned as reference points, and also for those who enjoy their light, fun, collegiately-themed rock with some chips 'n salsa, chunky style.
