Los Lobos - The Neighborhood

The Neighborhood continues Los Lobos' gift for melding American musics--R&B, conjunto, C&W, rock, and the rest--into a sound that's entirely its own. The longing swing of "Emily" is kick-started by driving fiddle, the delicate "Little John of God" features the Arkansas drawl of Levon Helm, and "Jenny's Got a Pony" sounds like a house partyin' blend of Mitch Ryder and Gary Bonds. The best of the bunch, "Down by the Riverbed," employs striking imagery ("A monster cloud like a big black hand") to propel a narrative about the fear of commitment. The record weakens near the end, due mainly to self-consciously poetic lyrics, but The Neighborhood is still a place worth spending some time.--David Cantwell Amazon.com

There's Something Missing

These guys are good musicians. They know their craft. That's why it seems like something is missing. Their skill is evident on this album but there is no excitement. That is a fatal flaw in a recording. August 3, 2005

the good songs are REAL good, but overall its not consistent

I think this album is kind of a mixed bag, because you have good songs like the title track, "Angel Dance," and "Down on the Riverbed." But then you have pretty weak songs, such as "little john of god" (I don't know why, but I really hate this song) and "be still." If you are a completist who is getting most of the albums, you need this one. BUt if you are looking for only their best stuff, get Just ANother Band from East LA: A collection, which has the best songs from this cd on it (though I wish they included "Emily," I happen to like that song a lot). If you get the 2cd set, I don't recommend this cd. I would recommend getting Kiko no matter what, because that is their best cd to have no matter what Los Lobos hit collection you assemble. April 12, 2005

GOOD!

"Emily" and "Little John of God" are wonderful tunes, the best on the CD. I also like "Georgia Slop"..it's pure fun and a good dancing tune at my wedding ten years ago. Oh to see Roy and Cynthia dance to that one! Thanks to Bill for suggesting the music.
This is a VERY talented band that can handle the fast and the slow, the wild and the gentle music with extreme grace.

September 5, 2004

JUST ANOTHER GREAT RELEASE

Wonderful stuff. This one starts out with a kind of folkish
rocker on DOWN ON THE RIVER BED,and continues with a touch of
country on EMILY. I WALK ALONE is a good rocker, followed by the
sensitive ANGEL DANCE and LITTLE JOHN OF GOD.{'he can't run, he
can't play, he does things in a different way. little john,
little john of god'}. DEEP DARK HOLE is another folkish tinged
rocker, while GEORGIA SLOP has a rock-a-billy feel to it. I
CANT UNDERSTAND is straight ahead rock with a bluesy feel, while
THE GIVING TREE is an accordion driven number. TAKE MY HAND is
highlighted by acoustic guitar and soft, heart felt lyrics.
JENNY'S GOT A PONY is a fun rocker. BE STILL, whether by design
or happenstance, sounds like a vinyl recording with a bad
scratch on it, and is the song that kept this c.d., in my ears,
from earning a fifth star. Then it's on to the highlight of this
release, a lively rocker with a catchy beat and great lyrics,
THE NEIGHBORHOOD. This is a great c.d. for LOS LOBOS fans,and
lovers of good rock in general.
Thanks and may your neighborhood be peaceful,
Tom February 27, 2004

a real alternative

this is one of those recordings that when you listen to it the first time it must be listened to again and again. then, after a few turns, you buy something new and los lobos- the neighborhood gets filed. sometime later it's back in the cd player and one wonders why it was ever removed.
this recording rocks, swings, grinds, and proves that all other alternive country, rock and country-rock muscians have a standard to hold to. true musicians all; los lobos is great. the neighborhood isn't their only wonderful recording, will the wolf..., kiko, collosal head, naming others i currently have, are just as exciting. i don't know about you but, i must have more los lobos! December 20, 2003

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