Album Reviews

Lila Downs

La Cantina

2006-04-05

The rhythm loops and subtle electronic effects weave in and out of the traditional instrumentation over which Lila sings this wonderful program of Mexican ranchera songs. Downs' dark, smoky voice is the perfect vehicle for these songs, which juxtapose the deep emotion of fado and mariachi music with norteño and tejano influences. Everywhere you turn there are deeper complexities lurking beneath the already complicated surfaces of the songs: the quietly wailing clarinet that follows the distorted guitar solo on "Agua de Rosas" or the ska-funk inflections that are constantly hovering around the edges of "Tu Recuerdo y Yo". -AMG

all reviews | all world reviews

More reviews tagged #World

reviewed 06/2010
ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING FELA!
FELA! – ORIGINAL BROADWAY CAST RECORDING
reviewed 11/2015
Peter Cooper
Depot Light Songs Of Eric Taylor
reviewed 01/2006
LADYSMITH BLACK MAMBAZO
Long Walk to Freedom
reviewed 08/2009
KIMI DJABATE
Karam
reviewed 07/2006
GORAN IVANOVIC GROUP
Self-titled
reviewed 01/2011
BALVAL
Le Ciel Tout Nu

Compiled by the WYCE Journalism Club

The opinions expressed in these reviews are those of the individual volunteers that submitted the article and do not necessarily reflect the views of WYCE or GRCMC; nor its staff, donors, or affiliates.