Review of ‘The Town and the City’ in Concussion Magazine

Los Lobos
The Town and The City
Hollywood Records

These old vatos have about as much soul as you could ever hope to find in a band. Their history goes back to a time when most of y’all were wearing diapers and sucking on your mama’s swollen titties. With disposable media oozing out of every pore in our society and transparent pop tunes clogging up the arteries, it’s a breath of fresh air to hear music so pure played by actual musicians. With that said, these old dogs are not against using modern effects and technology to enhance their current sound; they just aren’t totally dependent upon the crutch of modern studio trickery. The opening track “The Valley” is as cool as they come, providing a slow melodic tale of days gone by that is down to earth, and full of comfort. This album radiates the feeling of a warm friendship that has been stoked and kindled though countless years of close camaraderie. The overall pace is not rushed and benefits from an easy-going demeanor that occasionally shifts gears, as in the upbeat “Chuco’s Cumbia” or the uniquely rousing rhythm on “Luna”. Other than that, it’s smooth sailing upon a placid sea of bluesy tales and calm ruminations. In a world so full of nastiness rushing ass over elbows to get to nowhere fast, it is really nice to step back and enjoy this perspective from time to time – that is until the next wave crests and knocks you down again. – RMK