Los Lobos: Gates of Gold (CD on Proper Records)

Band: Los Lobos
Label: Proper Records
Title: Gates of Gold

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Band:Los Lobos
Title:Gates of Gold
Reviewed By:Carl Bookstein
Date Published:08/10/2015

Label:Proper Records
Format:CD
Release Year:2015
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Los Lobos, a storied band from East L.A., who have received a wealth of awards and accolades, are now entering their fifth decade. 'Gates of Gold', their latest studio album is their first set of new songs since 2010. Los Lobos' approach is to create spontaneously when they record, bringing a multitude of styles into the mix.

With an entrancing guitar line and a steady drum beat, 'Made to Break Your Heart' is a heavy dose of blues rock, yet something highly original. With lyrics about a river flowing and heartbreak, Los Lobos are all the while creating a hypnotic groove.

The album is filled with songs romantic and spiritual - lyrical snapshots. 'When We Were Free' possesses a cool jazz feel with a touch of some kind of Latin samba. “It was all we wanted, all we needed/And never had to feel afraid.” The lyrics are evocative of better times.

'Mis-Treater Boogie Blues' is a turbo charged, guitar based boogie-woogie meets blues engine. 'There I Go' offers easy soul, a rhythm and blues based feel, as Los Lobos capture an amalgam of musical styles from blues rock to Mexican folk, jazz, soul and beyond.

'Too Small Heart' is a dose of garage rock. Each new number finds the band cooking up a heady musical brew; while still evocative of the barrio or the neighborhood they come from.

The title track, 'Gates of Gold', begins with a gorgeous mandolin shimmering. The vocal speaks to far off beauty to behold: “Almost there and yet so far/ Is where we’ll find our home.”

'Song of the Sun' is a darkly lit and plaintive ballad about twists and turns on a journey “when I couldn’t feel the dirt beneath my feet.”

The eloquent guitar led closer 'Magdalena' sweeps the listener up in its beauty. It is a slow burning blues based number- a fine finish to a solid, first rate collection of songs.

Track Listing:

01) Made to Break Your Heart
02) When We Were Free
03) Mis-Treater Boogie Blues
04) There I Go
05) Too Small Heart
06) Poquito para Aqui
07) Gates of Gold
08) La Tumba Sera el Final
09) Song of the Sun
10) I Believed You So
11) Magdalena
12) Nachas (Instrumental Demo)
13) Prenda del Alma (Live)

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Related Links

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Los_Lobos
http://www.loslobos.org/site/
https://twitter.com/loslobosband
https://www.facebook.com/loslobos

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