Critic Julian Cole Gives T&C 5 Stars!

Los Lobos, The Town And The City (Hollywood Records) ****
By Julian Cole
THE veteran American band, 33 years in music, have been in an out of favour, hitting mainstream success in 1987 with La Bamba.

Now they are heavy-set and sport goatee beards, their appearance suggesting perhaps a certain weighty menace.

Yet the music on this excellent album displays a light touch, mixing pop and rock with flourishes of South Americana.

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From opener The Valley, Los Lobos create a layered organic sound that fits the music so well, with everything having a place and a purpose.

Hold On is a soulful lament wrapped in sweet music, while The Road To Gila Bend – charting the struggles of immigrants, an old Los Lobos theme – is memorable rootsy pop.

Infectious blues take over on Free Up, a song made for shuffling.