I don't consider it hyperbole to say that Los Lobos (The Wolves) are one of the greatest American bands of all-time. Their incredibly diverse output ranges from traditional Mexican music to Tex-Mex, country, blues, pop, rock, and psychedelia. They can play anything, any song, and do it beautifully in their own way. They are very much like The Band in their diverse influences, human spirit lyricism, and multi-instrumental talents.
In 1992 they released their classic album, Kiko, one of the best albums of the 90s. It is a pop masterpiece, one amazing tune after another, and an amalgamation of all the styles the band absorbed over the years. It's hard for me to pick a favorite song, but I think it's probably When the Circus Comes.
According to drummer and guitarist Louie Perez, it is "the story of two lifelong friends who have a falling out over something really stupid and risk losing all the history they have together." David Hidalgo sings as though weighed down by an emotional burden that he is resigned to carry. There is only one solution and that is to leave the place that has caused him so much anguish:
But when the lights are turning 'round
And wheels are rolling on the ground
That day I'll burn this whole place down
When the circus comes to town
The music flows gently and tenderly through the light percussion, the layers of guitars, and the double-tracked vocals during the chorus. At 2:00, the music shifts down into a dreamy instrumental section of distorted guitar and quietly shimmering marimba, representative of the group's experimental approach throughout the album.
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