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Reviews: Los Lobos: This Time

Reviews: 2

Review by muzikman July 23, 2004 (2 of 2 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
Los Lobos has always been one of my favorite bands. I think they have been and continue to be vastly underrated for their astonishing contributions to the roots rock movement. During their career, they have had many memorable recordings and one of them is the incredible This Time. It comes as no discovery to me why Mobile Fidelity decided to honor this fine release with their Ultra Disc treatment. I am surprised however, that there were not any words of praise in the booklet that accompanies this SACD. The lyrics are included though, which always is a bonus for any album.

The title track “This Time” jump-starts the boys into their normal effective mode; it is a real energized cookin’ number, a good choice for a lead in to the rest of the album. The tradition and influence of their culture dominates yet draws from some good old-fashioned rock ’n’ roll on all night burners like “High Places” and “Corazón.” It is that very flavor and combination that makes their music so unique and universally appealing, my young children enjoy it as much as I do (they have good taste too!).

Caesar Rojas and David Hidalgo (also known for their magnificent side project The Latin Playboys) are the heart and soul of the band, and continue to compliment each other like twin siblings joined at the hip. They are a one-two punch that is indeed a rare musical commodity, and when one looks at longevity, they are a scarcity in the volatile world of the music business.

This Time is a real gem, a classic rendering of quirky roots-rock-pop that has few rivals. As I always comment in closing-It goes without saying how incredibly pristine the sound is, any recording becomes reborn once it is remastered using the UHR-Gain II technology.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

July 23, 2004

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Review by madisonears December 7, 2006 (2 of 4 found this review helpful)
Performance:   Sonics:
If you seek genuine roots rock as only the incomparable Los Lobos can present it, pass on this one. I own five Los Lobos CD's and have seen them a couple times in concert. This is not their best work; in fact, far from it.

I realize artists yearn to grow and learn during their careers. Most are not happy playing the same type of stuff for as many years as this band has been together. Sometimes they move in a direction that their audience can follow, sometimes not. Sorry to diss a band I really like, but they left me behind with this latest move. I hear only some of the joyous music making that made me a fan in the first place. Even the recording is dark and somewhat musty, with very little sparkle and air. Everything here--performers, music, and recording--sounds kind of tired.

Contrary to the semi-literate (As I always comment in closing, if it goes without saying, then why are you saying it?) cheerleading of the other review here, I cannot recommend this very expensive disc at all, even to fans of the band.

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