Silos

One of the alt-country pioneers of the '80s, not much has been heard from them in these parts since their only major label release, 1990's The Silos, and the defection of co-front-man Bob Rupe to Cracker. However, guitarist/vocalist Walter Salas-Humara has persevered and this latest album is a lot more cohesive and driving than I ever remember the Silos being. The incorporation of Spanish themes in Salas-Humara's writing is still evident, but not as pronounced as before. Laser Beam Next Door finds the Silos as a stripped-down, tight trio, still a little reminiscent of Los Lobos, but without the virtuosity of David Hidalgo. Nothing groundbreaking, but the contrast between "Sangre Y Lagrimas" and "Where Ya Been" illustrates the album's strengths: time-tested folk-rock mixed with solid, flat-out rockers. As someone who was probably too young to fully appreciate their earlier work, after hearing Laser Beam Next Door I'm wishing they had made this album back then.