906 Los Lobos - How Will the Wolf Survive (1984)

 906 Los Lobos - How Will the Wolf Survive (1984)

Studio Album - Chicano Rock




About the Act:

Los Lobos are described by Wikipedia as "Chicano rock/roots rock/Latin rock/Tex-Mex/country rock/Americana/heartland rock/cowpunk". Although they are from East L.A., they are all of Mexican origin, and this is reflected in their music. They has a huge hit with "La Bamba", but that really isn't that typical of their music. Los Lobos means "The Wolves"

They have existed since 1973 and have had some membership changes. They have had 16 albums. I would say they are really not that well-known outside their one hit.


About the Album:

This was the band's second album, their breakthrough to mild success. The title is  reference to a National Geographic article entitled "Where Can the Wolf Survive", and also a reference to the band name of The Wolves.


My History with this Album:

None


Review:

This album is musically mixed, and reminds me of Zydeco music, mostly because of the prevalence of the piano accordion, but also stylistically. If you don't know what that is, it is a mixture of traditional creole/cajun music and rock and roll, which originated in Louisiana. This is similar, the rhythms are similar, the sounds are similar, but it also incorporates more Rock 'n' Roll sounds (especially twangy guitar) and saxophone, and even kind of Hawaiian sounding steel guitar. Mix into this some almost mariachi band sound (without the brass), some singing in Spanish, and some more kind of rootsy stuff (there is a great folk/roots instrumental near the end of the album). It's a melting pot.

It's kind of fun, the songs are not deep, but OK. It's mostly up-beat stuff. I don't know enough about those scenes to know if it is earth-shatteringly original, but I had fun listening and that's something. I do like this sort of thing, generally.


6.7/10


Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/5dl01XDIMXrmjJ22obqfhQ

Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PLbhy2Rm3HmkfNcn1v1fZeOTOCax1tAACO

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/How_Will_the_Wolf_Survive%3F


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