“The City” and “The Town”, the dual title tracks, are excellent numbers that explore the themes, feel, and difference of those locales. “The City” is a study of the calling of the neon nightlife and the vices it offers. A very lively yet dark tune, propelled forward and downward by heavy organ and plunking piano, in the middle of the track there is an odd sound as if a dog's barking. It captures the scene of a late night out perfectly, how it can spiral out of control into the break of day. “The Town” is a reminiscence of the place of one’s youth and how that place in time can seem more innocent and somewhere that your heart truly resides, a place where all your friends and family are together, at least in dreams.

The rest of the album rounds out with three very 1960s soul-inspired tunes, “Little Things”, “Don’t Ask Why”, and “Free Up”. These songs are very much in the vein of soul legends Solomon Burke and Otis Redding as well as local Chicano heroes Thee Midniters and Little Ray. Los Lobos’ soulful influences shine on this CD and they twist it just far enough to make it all their own — just as they have done with everything else they’ve previously recorded.

So what does the new Los Lobos CD say to me? It screams that after all these years, David Hidalgo, Cesar Rosas, Conrad Lozano, Louie Perez, and Steve Berlin have stuck together to create the music they want and love. They have formed a brotherhood and are strong enough and talented enough to keep turning out solid, thought-provoking albums capable of reflecting the world around you as well as the one inside you. That this band can go through these ups and downs and still lean on each other as friends, as well as a musical unit, is something we can all learn from. Friends, like true talent and really good albums, are hard to come by, so appreciate what you have. As for Los Lobos, here’s to lucky number thirteen and may you provide us with many more as the years roll on!

So yeah, run out and grab this one. Go now! Come prepared, bring something with you and take something as you go.  I’m sure the band wouldn’t have it any other way.

Written by Fantasma el Rey