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The Town and the City
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Binding: Audio CD
EAN: 0720616266125
Format: Enhanced
Label: Hollywood Records
Manufacturer: Hollywood Records
MPN: 162661
Number Of Discs: 1
Publisher: Hollywood Records
Release Date: September 12, 2006
Studio: Hollywood Records
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Editorial Review:
After variously celebrating their 30th anniversary with the star-studded The Ride, documenting their bracing live shows on Live at the Fillmore and doing a little intimate musical retrenchment on the self-released Acoustic En Vivo, Los Lobos returned to the studio with creative exploration on their minds. The result is their most sonically adventurous, thematically taut collection since the heady days of Kiko and Colossal Head. With lyrics penned mostly by multi-instrumentalist Louis Perez, the album's first-person narrative views a myriad of larger issues through slices of local life, from the immigrants' physical and spiritual travails of "The Valley" and "Hold On" to the liturgical grace of "Little Things" and the haunting impressionism of "The City." The musical tack is even more adventurous, a melange of diverse flavors that ranges from the infectious calo Spanglish patois of Cesar Rosa's "Chuco's Cumbia" and neo-norteno "The Road to Gila Bend" to the chunky r&b groove of "Don't Ask Why," the Caribbean-Latin fusion of "No Pueda Mas" and the shadowy, jazz reflectiveness of the "The Town." The Lobos blend it all into a compelling sonic landscape, one that's tamed the playful, psychedelic spirit of Perez and David Hidalgo's free-spirited Latin Playboys side project and focused it into a band context with rich rewards at every turn. -- Jerry McCulley
The 13-track set--fittingly, the disc is the 13th studio album of the band's 30-year-plus career--was recorded over the last several months, with the band doing its own production work. Tchad Blake, who's worked with the group for many of its past albums, handled mixing duties. The album partially reflects the East Los Angeles roots-rockers' experience as de facto immigrants in their own country, as well as unease with the current political situation in the land. The band is currently on an open-ended touring schedule, which is typical of their roadwork.
Since They Began as Los Lobos Del Este Los Angeles in 1973, Los Lobos have Evolved Into a Respected Artistic Entity Searching for Themes and Topics that Are an Interpretive Pulse of Our Times. Using Musical Molds Built on the Blues, Rockabilly, Jazz, Latin and their Own Mexican-american Heritage, Los Lobos have Never Beat their Fans Over the Head with Politics Or Agendas. Instead, They Subtly Challenge them with Conscience-raising Songs and Thought-provoking Lyrics. Their Lhollywood Records Release - "The Town and the City" - Certainly Does That. The Epic "The Town and the City" is Told in the First-person, with Each Song Serving as an Episodic Step in a Rough Journey that is in Your Face at Times, Comforting and Nostalgic at Others. Most of the Thirteen Songs Are Co-written by Perez and David Hidalgo; Cesar Rosas Contributes Two Songs.
Customer Reviews
Average Rating: 
Rating:  - A Great American Rock Recording
This is a great American rock recording. American music is after all a confluence of influences. Among others, think jazz, blues, zydeco, soul and of course rock and roll. Roots music. Here Los Lobos provide us with an extraordinary example of the confluence of influences. The musicianship, song writing and arrangements are beyond reproach.
I spend a fair amount of time looking for the "perfect record." This qualifies. Every time I listen I hear something new--The Town and the ... Read More
Rating: - Not their best since (insert album here)
This is not Los Lobos's best album since Kiko, By the Light of the Moon, Colossal Head, or any other album you care to name. It's their best album ever.
It's similar to Kiko, displaying their mastery of rock'n'roll, blues, Mexican folk music, country, and psychedelia. It differs from Kiko in that the styles are even more melded together, and every track is so sharp and strong my mind is simply boggled.
I had started thinking Los Lobos would never write a song that would relentlessly ... Read More
Rating:  - Los Lobos Back in Town!
After a couple of pretty disappointing albums released in the 1990's Los Lobos returned to form with fine albums such as "Good Morning Aztlan" and "The Ride". The band continues the positive direction with 2006 release "The Town and the City". Though never as adventurous and consistent as their two greatest albums "Kiko" and "The Neighborhood", the album contains lots of great music.
More room is given to the soft melodic side of the band which suits the voice of David Hidalgo so well. Highlights ... Read More
Rating: - This Rocks!
This is their best work yet. Saw them last summer and loved them. They got better with age.
Rating: - wow
the next stage in the KIKO evolution.
i have been waiting for this.
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