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 01/2005
Astor Piazzolla
The Rough Guide to Astor Piazzolla
reviewed 01/2011
LOS FABULOCOS
DOS
reviewed 02/2007
Fat Freddy's Drop
Based On A True story
reviewed 09/2010
NORTEC COLLECTIVE PRESENTS: BOSTICH + FUSSIBLE
Bulevar 2000
reviewed 07/2006
THE KLEZMATICS
Wonder Wheel
reviewed 06/2004
Tarika
10: Beasts, Ghosts and Dancing with History

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.