Hacienda
Big Red & Barbacoa (Alive Naturalsound)Touring with and backing producer Dan Auerbach of the Black Keys has added immeasurable depth and versatility to Hacienda’s 1960s pop repertoire. The San Antonio family band’s latest takes a hard turn toward the border with the proto-punk Chicano soul of opener “Who’s Heart Are You Breaking,” Tex-Mex waltz “Got to Get Back Home,” and the fiery rockabilly of “Mama’s Cookin.” “Hound Dog” ain’t nothin’ like the Elvis original but rather a swooning doo-wop with clunky percussion, squeeze-box accents, and slide-guitar echo that goes down like an afternoon siesta. Recalling original Texas Tornado Doug Sahm, the quartet unlocks a groover’s paradise, reiterated by the riptide instrumentals that close out each vinyl side, though Hacienda could benefit from sharper hooks. “I Keep Waiting” could pass for a Smile session outtake, but nada on Big Red & Barbacoa, much like 2008 debut Loud Is the Night, stands up to the band’s lone cover, in this case the Everly Brothers’ lost garage gem “You’re My Girl.” (8:30pm, Patio Stage.)
– Austin Powell
This article appears in May 21 • 2010.