So many garage rock groups sound not only similar to each other, but far too similar to their inspirations on the Nuggets and Pebbles collections. Not HACIENDA – the San Antonio quartet is certainly stuck on the 60s, but has a palette that encompasses more than just simplified rip-offs of the ROLLING STONES and the BYRDS. For these young men (three brothers and a buddy), the BEACH BOYS (“I Keep Waiting”), LINK WRAY (“Big Red”) and the Stax/Volt soul sound (“Who’s [sic] Heart Are You Breaking”) loom as large in the musical galaxy as anybody with Vox gear. There’s plenty of BOOKER T. & THE MGS grooves and SIR DOUGLAS QUINTET organ thrown in there as well. Hacienda’s ability to raid the spice rack for just the right taste sets them far apart from their peers, and if the band hasn’t quite got all its songwriting chops in order yet, it’s at least got a sound of its own in which any melodies it develops can rest in comfort. DAN AUERBACH of the BLACK KEYS provides period production.
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