Colossal Head

Amazon.com
If Kiko was Los Lobos' unanticipated definitive statement, as in "You've got to hear this!" Colossal Head is its less focused addendum. It says: "Oh, yeah, and furthermore. The title track, a multi-textured grinder with a Middle Eastern string arrangement mixed in with baritone sax and blues guitar. "Life Is Good" is lazy, infectious '70s pop funk à la War and Sly & the Family Stone "Más y más" is an old-fashioned guitar wank that puts one in mind of the other crucial name in Latin rock--Santana. Los Lobos are known for their ensemble work, but this is just unstrained look-at-me showboating. When you've got David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas, why not flaunt 'em? The occasional missteps ("This Bird's Gonna Fly," "Can't Stop the Rain") are just bland songs the band and coproducers Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake dress up with the kind of offbeat production touches that worked so well with Kiko. --Steven Stolder

Colossal Head,Los Lobos,Warner Bros / Wea,Adult Alternative Pop/Rock,Funk,Pop,Popular Music,Rock,Rock/Pop,Roots Rock,Tex-Mex

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Colossal Head

Average customer rating: Another great weird Los Lobos record EXTRAORDINARY BAND A clunker from a great band Disappointing Follow-Up! A colossal achievement

Colossal Head Los Lobos Manufacturer: Warner Bros / Wea ProductGroup: Music Binding: Audio CD General | Alternative Rock | Styles | Music General | Latin Music | Styles | Music General | Rock | Styles | Music Rock Jam Bands | Jam Bands | Rock | Styles | Music Roots Rock | Rock | Styles | Music Pop Rock | Pop | Styles | Music Adult Alternative | Pop | Styles | Music General | Funk | R&B | Styles | Music Similar Items: Kiko The Neighborhood By the Light of the Moon Good Morning Aztlán [Limited Edition] How Will the Wolf Survive? ASIN: B000002N51 Release Date: 1996-03-19

Tracks:

1. Revolution
2. Mas Y Mas
3. Maricela
4. Everybody Loves A Train
5. Can't Stop The Rain
6. Life Is Good
7. Little Japan
8. Manny's Bones
9. Colossal Head
10. This Bird's Gonna Fly
11. Buddy Ebsen Loves The Night Time

Amazon.com

If Kiko was Los Lobos' unanticipated definitive statement, as in "You've got to hear this!" Colossal Head is its less focused addendum. It says: "Oh, yeah, and furthermore. The title track, a multi-textured grinder with a Middle Eastern string arrangement mixed in with baritone sax and blues guitar. "Life Is Good" is lazy, infectious '70s pop funk à la War and Sly & the Family Stone "Más y más" is an old-fashioned guitar wank that puts one in mind of the other crucial name in Latin rock--Santana. Los Lobos are known for their ensemble work, but this is just unstrained look-at-me showboating. When you've got David Hidalgo and Cesar Rosas, why not flaunt 'em? The occasional missteps ("This Bird's Gonna Fly," "Can't Stop the Rain") are just bland songs the band and coproducers Mitchell Froom and Tchad Blake dress up with the kind of offbeat production touches that worked so well with Kiko. --Steven Stolder

Customer Reviews:

Another great weird Los Lobos record.......2006-10-06

The first seven tracks are a kick everytime I hear them. By a funny coincidence I had picked up a War collection about six weeks before I heard Colossal Head, and it was perfect preparation. I read some reviews that knock this record for the presence of some blues. Go figure. That's a big part of the Lobos' musical background and they are very good at playing and singing it. There's also an all-time great tune "Maricela" and some very tasty soul numbers in "Can't Stand the Rain" and "Little Japan". The sound is even stranger than it was on Kiko.

EXTRAORDINARY BAND.......2006-05-31

Anyone who is a TRUE music lover, will either know, or would want to know, about the true Los Lobos. They are so very, VERY much more than most people recognize. They are true artists in every sense, and have a dignity (musically, and personally) that few bands have, or could even understand.

Their entire body of work is very worthwhile, and this record ranks near, or at the top, along with KIKO.

A clunker from a great band.......2006-03-10

I love Los Lobos! I have six of their albums and have had the good fortune to have seen them several times. However, this album is uninspired and horrid compared to other great Los Lobos albums like "Kiko" or "How Will Wolf Survive." Perhaps it is the greater expectations that I have for this band that cause me to take a less than flattering view of this album, perhaps. But I don't think so. I am shocked by all of the five star ratings in here. This is a very short album with hastily put together blues jams that lack much innovation or creativity. Did these people actually listen to this CD or are they just so loyal to the band that they will not speak the truth? I love them and can say without a doubt that this is their worst album.

Disappointing Follow-Up!.......2005-09-01

I could hardly believe my ears when In first listened to this album. I know I may have had too high expectations to this follow-up album to their masterpiece "Kiko". I gave it many chances, hoping to discover great moments that I might have overheard the first times; but somehow they never seemed to appear.

As usual the playing is impeccable, but the great problem with this album in general is the lack of good songs. The first track "Revolution" is not a bad track, but not up to Los Lobos` normal high standards; but still one of the best efforts on this album.

Next track to really capture my attension is "Manny`s Bones"; among the previous 6 tracks there have been some solid blues-based efforts; but none of them particularly memorable. The same can be said about tha last three tracks. If I were to compile a Los Lobos compilation, I think I would only consider the 2 before mentioned tracks.
On second thoughts, Im pretty sure I would include "Revolution".

A colossal achievement.......2005-02-14

I haven't kept up with Los Lobos since back in the beginning, when I owned a cassette of "How Will the Wolf Survive." Some time ago I decided to rectify that situation and picked up "Colossal Head." Judging from the reviews on this page, "Kiko" is the disc I really should have picked up. Whether they like "Colossal Head" or not, everyone seems to agree that "Kiko" is better. It must be a really spectacular recording, because I thought CH is excellent. The songwriting is mostly outstanding and there are lots of surprises and interesting choices in the production and mixing. Good work.

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