Album: The Mavericks, In Time (Universal/Big Machine)

This accomplished posse of Floridian borderliners have been gone a long time, maybe for good reason. But they're back now, all troubles set aside, and the results are good.

Raul Malo's Orbisonian bel canto tenor is as undiminished as the rest of the band's feel for Tex-Mex-Miami rock 'n' country is still sharp. They are gifted with a kind of shiny formalist flourish, which is great for atmosphere but not for deep reach. And they do it extremely well. Party on.