The Mavericks
On their 1990 indie debut, the Mavericks proved they had all of the raw tools in place: Raul Malo boasted a magnificently dramatic voice and an impeccable songwriting touch. As a whole, the Miami band revealed an array of influences including pure honky-tonk, shuffling roadhouse boogie, and heart-rending country-pop balladry. Of course, it was this latter style, displayed here on cuts such as "This Broken Heart" and "The Lonely Waltz," that would come to be known as the group's forte, thanks to Malo's anguished readings. The Mavericks moved to Nashville and signed with MCA largely on the strength of this release, which was not as finely honed as their subsequent releases, but was incredibly polished for an independent artist.--Marc Greilsamer