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 01/2008
Ramiro Musotto
Civilizacao & Barbarye
reviewed 10/2006
MARISA MONTE
Universa ao Meu Redor
reviewed 09/2009
NII OTOO ANNAN AND STEVEN FELD
Bufo Variations
reviewed 05/2009
Balkan Beat Box
Nu Made
reviewed 09/2007
ANOUSHKA SHANKAR and KARSH KALE
Breathing Underwater
reviewed 07/2004
Milagro Acustico
Rubaiyyat of Omar Khayyam

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.