New Los Lobos album out...TODAY!

[Dan C]

"Good Morning Aztlan" is out today.
Fans of the Lobos should buy their very own copy on your way to/from work. I'm going right now to pick up mine. :D

I've loved this band for years. One of the finest bands in America right now. See them live and you'll never forget it!

Here's what Billboard had to say (short one).
http://www.billboard.com/billboard/reviews/review_displayprint.jsp?vnu_content_id=1 503484

Happy listening!
Dan C

[guy incognito]

Heck, IMO they're one of the finest American bands ever. The host of a music show on the local NPR station played a few cuts from the new album the other day, and it definitely sounds like good stuff.

[Dan C]

Originally posted by guy incognito
Heck, IMO they're one of the finest American bands ever. The host of a music show on the local NPR station played a few cuts from the new album the other day, and it definitely sounds like good stuff.

I'm not gonna argue with that! :D

I went down to my local indie music store and picked up the special 2 CD set. It has a bonus CD with two live tracks and a QuickTime documentary on the making of the album. Haven't spun that one yet, still enjoying the music on the regular CD.

Once again Los Lobos managed to grow and expand their artistry while staying true to who they are.
This music is such an organic mix of blues and rock and Latin music, and they always manage to make it sound effortless.

A+ on this new CD, but I doubt they'll win many new fans. Such a shame. This group of musicians has THE most integrity of any act I know.

Man, now I have to see these guys again! Guess it's time to hit the road:) .
Dan C (The Wolf!)
Peace, ese...

[CM Wolff]

I've been through the album twice now and think its great. As usual, it's got a mix of everything under the sun. The title track is just about the catchiest riff rocker they've ever done. I agree that at this point in their career, most people are now already fans of the band or have decided to pass (hey, their loss). Good album to mark their 25th anniversary this year- hopefully the rock 'n roll hall of fame awaits...they surely deserve every accolade that comes their way.

Long live the Wolves!

[ultron9]

I've just puchased the new album as well. I think it is a stronger release than their previous "This Time" and is a return to a more direct approach to recording and production.

I wonder if a SH remaster of their masterpiece "Kiko" could happen? maybe on LP since the current CD is the best sounding version I've heard thus far.

[Dan C]

Originally posted by ultron9
I've just puchased the new album as well. I think it is a stronger release than their previous "This Time" and is a return to a more direct approach to recording and production.

I wonder if a SH remaster of their masterpiece "Kiko" could happen? maybe on LP since the current CD is the best sounding version I've heard thus far.

I agree that "Kiko" is Los Lobos' all-time masterpiece. I love their collaborations with Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake, but I think they were running out of steam by "This Time".
This new album is a blast of fresh air.

A "Kiko" LP remaster by Steve is high on my wish list.
However, we need to remember that it was a low seller and it was a digital master. Two strikes against a big LP reissue :( .
The CD, mastered by the much discussed Bob Ludwig, sounds damn good. I think I can live with that.
Dan C

[Ron Stone]

So how is the sound on the Los Lobos box set (the recent four-disc set, not the double-disc set from a few years back) compared to the individual albums?

I've been frustrated with the bad remastering on HOW WILL THE WOLF SURVIVE, but I'm not sure I want to lay down the long green unless there's a dramatic improvement on the WOLF, MOON, and NEIGHBORHOOD tracks.

I'll wait to hear the new album before buying it. THIS TIME was a major disappointment from one of my favorite bands. Sorta like the last John Hiatt album, TIKI BAR. Or LITTLE HEAD. Hey, there's a new thread: worst album by a favorite artist!

[CM Wolff]

I haven't A'B'd the box to the individual albums, so I can't answer your question, but I want to at least take the opportunity to give the box a HUGE thumbs-up from an aesthetic standpoint. It was the right time for the box - not only did the box's selections dive deep into into most of their albums (with the right tracks being picked), it was packed with offshoots and loose ends- I wouldn't want to be without a lot of the rarities, stuff like "Beautiful Maria of My Soul". Great liner notes with track-by-track comments to boot. A model box, done the right way like "Star Time" or "Songs of Freedom" and a much better picture of the band than the 2 CD comp that preceded it .

[guy incognito]

I think Rhino's box is excellent as well. And I'd love to see that cover illustration made into a full-sized poster!

[Dan C]

Agree with these posts, the Rhino box is well worth buying. The selection of tracks is just about perfect. Even though I own every single Lobos album except for their very first indie album, I still think it's essential. I too would LOVE a poster of the front cover! Great idea.

Sound wise, I think the original LPs sound best. "How Will the Wolf Survive", "By the Light of the Moon", and "La Pistola Y El Corazon" sound far better on LP than on the CDs. There is a British vinyl version of "The Neighborhood" that I've never heard, but I've never seen a US version.

Overall, the Rhino box sound is very good. Tracks from before and including "The Neighborhood" are much improved over the edgy early CDs. Tracks from "Kiko" on are pretty close to the standard CDs, which is a good thing since most of them sound great. Overall, the sound could use less compression, but it doen't put your head in a vice either.
Dan C