How the Barrio Rocks and Rolls

Let's break a few stereotypes. Let's talk about Los Lobos -- one of America's most unique, dynamic, and under-rated rock groups.

There are not that many artists who have the versatility to cross over genre lines and to do it well. There are very few with the ability to move between genres in different languages. And there are no more than a handful who can successfully walk in two worlds simultaneously. Sure, Gloria Estefan does it, you can argue that Linda Ronstadt did it, and modern pop stars like Ricky Martin and Christina Aguilera are trying it, but nobody really does it like Los Lobos.

Los Lobos is different because they are true to their rock and roll roots, and also true to their Mexican roots. Their sound is unique, and it is a true synthesis of genres and sounds from two cultures. The group is dynamic in that their sound changes over time.

Los Lobos is a group that defies easy categorization. They defy stereotypes. Rock fans don't always like Los Lobos because they'll throw in a pure spanish song here and there, even on what's supposed to be a straight up rock album. Latin music fans don't consider Los Lobos to be Latin music because it's really a melting pot sound based purely on rock with far too much english to qualify as "latin".

Time Flies Like an Arrow, Fruit Flies Like a Banana
It's hard to believe just how fast time flies, but it's been almost 20 years since I first heard Los Lobos. The first time I'd ever heard of them was in 1982 when some college friends invited me to go with them to see Los Lobos at the Ontario in Washington D.C. It was a small venue, and totally packed. And then the band started dishing out their red-hot rock and roll with its distinctive edge of traditional Mexican sounds. I was hooked!

Since then, I've bought almost every CD they released. It's always been amazing how the group changes and reinvents itself over the years. One CD will be pure rock and roll (like Will the Wolf Survive) and will be done entirely in english. The next will be almost entirely traditional Mexican rancheras and cumbias (like La Pistola y el Corazon) and entirely in spanish. Then they'll mix things up with an intriguing blend of the two, just to keep everyone on their toes. I suppose it reflects the group's ethnic heritage (Weasel, a disc jockey at Washington's progressive rock station WHFS, used to always refer to Los Lobos as "real live chicanos from East L.A."). The label may be too trite and simplistic, but it does cast some light on the varied influences of the group. This is a band that grew up with rock and roll radio, but in a neighborhood where the viejos were more likely to listen to Vargas de Tecalitlan than to Jim Morrison. Marry the sounds successfully, and you have an amazing signature sound -- the sound of Los Lobos.

Mas y Mas es Mejor y Mejor
Los Lobos have been performing and recording together for almost 30 years -- plenty of time to build up a huge repertoire of work. What I love most about Mas y Mas is that it isn't just their most popular stuff, but rather their best stuff!

Some of the songs are tunes that Los Lobos wrote early in their performing careers -- long before suburban white boys like me figured out just how cool this group really was. The songs were never released on any of the CDs the band put out during the 80s or 90s, and so they're well off most of our scopes.

I liked their rendition of the old Cuban classic Guantanamera -- but it sort of surprises me in a way since its very much a different sound from the conjunto influence that creeps into most of their work. It's also a testament to the depth and range that the group has -- the group isn't going to be limited to influences from a handful genres -- not when the world of latin music has so many delicious sounding fruits ripe for the picking...

Exitos y Favoritos
Picking favorites off this compilation is tough. After all, there are 85 tracks to choose from! (Hey! Gotta justify that $50 price tag somehow!) Fortunately, with a group as talented and versatile as Los Lobos, you can't go wrong.

A few of my favorites are also some of the group's biggest hits. I've always loved songs like I Got Loaded and Evangeline -- which kind of define Los Lobos sound in my mind, and it wouldn't be a truly representative collection of their work without songs like Will the Wolf Survive?, Shakin' Shakin' Shakes, and Set Me Free (Rosa Lee).

I love the heart-wrenching lyrics of One Time One Night and its allusions to a father's love for his kids. Kind of reminds me of the imagery in El Dolor de un Padre from los Tigres del Norte -- but in english with a rock sound.

Maybe you recall seeing Los Lobos in the 1987 movie "La Bamba". Los Lobos version of that 60s hit tune from Richie Valens is on disc 2 of this set, and I don't think that any sane person can seriously challenge my assertion that this song is one of the hottest, most memorable tunes in rock and roll. Is there anybody on this planet who hasn't heard La Bamba and doesn't think it kicks butt? Hmmm. Didn't think so...

There's a heck of a lot of other favorites on this collection: Kiko and the Lavender Moon, Down on the Riverbed, and This Time.

I'd say 75 percent of the album is english language rock hits, but there are a few spanish hits too -- mostly concentrated on disc 4. These include Ojos de Pancha, Quatro Vicios, Pistola y el Corazon, Pescador, and Cumbia Raza.

El Cancionero
I'm a huge fan of great liner notes because when I first get a new CD, I love just kicking back in the easy chair with a cool brewski and poring over the notes or lyrics as I listen to the tunes.

Imagine my glee when I popped open the big fat box for Mas y Mas and found not just liner notes, but a 76-page booklet chock full of snippets, details, memories, etc. It was like looking at a family album!

This Bird's Gonna Fly
If you're a real Los Lobos fan, you owe it to yourself to listen to Mas y Mas. I guarantee that it'll bring back a lot of great memories, and that it includes some of your favorite Los Lobos tunes. If you're not familiar with Los Lobos, then I recommend giving this compilation a listen -- it just might open a door to a whole world of exciting new music for it.

Los Lobos might think of themselves as "just another band from East L.A." but to me, they will always be something special...

Disfruta!