Mariachi El Bronx

Mariachi El Bronx is a band that transformed itself from a raging punk band, to a smoking modern Mariachi outfit. With “Only the Lonely,” the group has an honest-to-goodness go at this famous Roy Orbison song.

First off, the singing is not as great as was Orbison’s. That’s no great sin, however, because Orbison was in a class by himself. But what it lacks in natural talent, Mariachi El Bronx more than makes up for with spirit. These guys obviously love the Orb.

With its horns and violins, along with South of the Border percussion, this new track brings into focus just how much of a Latin influence there was on the original song. Orbison was no Latin lover, although he could have been. (The way he hid behind those cool shades of his, heck, he could have been anybody). Mariachi El Bronx also deserves special credit for showing restraint. They could have easily punked this up to the point of annoyance. Instead, they basically play it straight and make loneliness seem not quite so bad after all.