"Perfection" is the rating a CD gets when every song is a gem; when you want to skip around to your favorite tracks, but can't because they're ALL so good. I heard the Mavericks perform "Save A Prayer" on TV before this album was released and I haunted my favorite stores until I found it. I bought the CD for that track, but keep the CD in my player for all of the others. "Dream River" is so beautiful, it almost brings me to tears. If you're looking for pure country, don't buy this album. If you're looking for pure pop, don't buy this album. But if you're looking for top-quality music, don't pass this album up!

The Mavericks once again showcase their extraordinary music talent. Upbeat "Dance The Night Away" makes this album worth getting. "I Should Know", "Someone Should Tell her", "I've Got This Feeling", "I Hope You Want Me Too" and "Melbourne Mambo" are excellent tunes. These songs are comprised of many instruments including: trombone, trumpet, saxophone, keyboard, bass and lead guitar, drums, etc.. The Mavericks separate themselves from, well, everybody because they have a deep range of instruments. If you're as discouraged as I with bands that work with nothing but guitars and a set of drums, this album is just what you need.

The Mavericks are the best kept secret in music today. I was introduced to this great band with Trampoline and since I've had it (over a year now) it never leaves my CD player. Raul Malo has one of the best voices I've ever heard with a range so dynamic it's amazing this band doesn't get the credit they deserve. Even my boyfriend who hasn't listened to any new music in 15 years loves this CD and is always wanting to hear it. And by all means, if you get a chance to catch them live - DO IT!

"Trampoline" might well be the best album of The Mavericks' career. Unfortunately it was largely ignored and might well end up being their last. Before "Trampoline," The Mavericks were essentially a Latin influenced country band dominated by strong vocals. Think Los Lobos meets Brooks & Dunn. "Trampoline" expanded the range of the band to include more traditional styles of music, like the Vaudville number "Delores." Meanwhile, songs like "Dance the Night Away" (no, not a Cover of the Van Halen song of the same name) and "Someone Should Tell Her" are closer to band's earlier output, but represent some of their best-ever songwriting. "I Don't Even Know Your Name," features some amazing vocals, even by the high standards of this band.

Overall, "Tramploine" is a great lost treasure waiting to be discovered.

Ostensibly, this is country music but, despite the inclusion of a steel guitar, a banjo and some acoustic guitars, this album cannot really be described as country - even using contemporary definitions. Along with the aforementioned instruments, there are electric guitars, organs, pianos, drums, strings and a full horn section including trumpet, trombone, saxophone, flute and clarinet. Of all the instruments, the horn section is the most important but what makes the album so successful is that, despite the plethora of musicians, the overall fell of the album is relaxing and the musicians never get in the way of the outstanding voice of Raul Malo.

The album didn't fit easily into any popular category, which may explain why it became far more popular in Britain (where radio stations generally play a broad range of music) than America (where radio stations cater for specific audiences). The first single (Dance the night away) made the top five in the UK pop charts, much to my surprise and delight. There are many other great songs here, all originals except the final track, which is a traditional song (La Mucara) whose origin is unknown to me (it sounds Latin) but it definitely isn't country.

This is an outstanding album, very different from their previous album (Music for all occasions) or indeed anything else they've recorded. Country fans may not appreciate it (unless they have eclectic tastes, like me) but if you enjoy high quality, easy listening music, you might enjoy this album.