{$Los Lonely Boys} are another entry into the {\rock & roll} family band tree. The Garza brothers -- {$Henry}, {$Jojo}, and {$Ringo} (yes, that is his real name and he is the drummer) -- like {$the Everlys}, {$the Louvins}, {$the Davies}, {$the Youngs} ({$Malcolm} and {$Angus}), and many others, are forging a new sound from the various roots traditions in American music. Rooted in {\rock & roll} basics such as {$Chuck Berry}, {$the Beatles}, and {$Ritchie Valens} and the {\Latin} rhythm-inspired sounds created by the {$Santana} band, the brothers Garza, who hail from San Angelo, TX, also employ the wondrously soulful and raw {\Tex-Mex} textures created by {$Doug Sahm} and {$Freddy Fender}. {$Los Lonely Boys}' self-titled debut on the {@Or} label was recorded at {$Willie Nelson}'s {~Pedernales Studio} in Austin and features {$Nelson} and {$Reese Wynans} guesting on guitar and keyboards respectively on {&"La Contestacion."} But there is plenty to the sound of {$Los Lonely Boys}; their stew is one rich not only in history, but energy, songwriting craft, fine singing, and amazing playing -- check {$Henry}'s riffing, phrasing, and soloing on {&"Crazy Dreams"} and one might think the ghost of {$Stevie Ray Vaughan} is visiting {$Albert King}'s. {&"Dime Mi Amor,"} with its funky minor-key chord voicings dredged through a solid {\Latin rock} structure with shimmering {\son} rhythms and {\conjunto} backbeats, is stunning in its complexity, yet is as accessible as any {\pop} song. Driven by {$Henry}'s fluid and floral acoustic work and shot through with a soulful {\Tex-Mex} backbeat and vocal harmonies that touch upon the originality of {$Cesar Rosas}' and {$David Hidalogo}'s from {$Los Lobos} as well as {$the Everlys}, {&"Hollywood"} is not merely a referencing of source material, but a genuine way of combining ideas to create a new sound, one that is not only inherently, but actually the Garza Bros. As evidenced by songs like {&"Real Emotion,"} {&"More Than Love,"} {&"Onda,"} {&"Senorita,"} {&"La Contestacion,"} and {&"Velvet Sky,"} {$los Lonely Boys} reveal that they are tied to tradition but far from stuck to it; their songs are first-rate, crafted with nuance, grace, and grit and wash over the listener like a late-summer dance party under a full moon. This glorious, dark, and steamy diamond,. rooted in innocence and raw {\rock & roll} beauty, is most definitely a contender for debut album of the year. ~ Thom Jurek, All Music Guide