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 12/1969
LOS AMIGOS INVISIBLES
Commercial
reviewed 07/2006
BLACKMORE’S NIGHT
The Village Lanterne
reviewed 12/2009
COREY HARRIS
BLU.BLACK
reviewed 01/2011
LOREENA MCKENNITT
The Wind That Shakes the Barley
reviewed 08/2012
BIBI TANGA AND THE SELENITES
40 Degrees of Sunshine
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.