Los Lobos’ ‘Kiko’ shows band’s true merit

Spencer Patterson

Friday, Dec. 10, 2004 | 9:10 a.m.

You've got to wonder if the members of Los Lobos have ever regretted covering Ritchie Valens' 1959 Latin rock hit "La Bamba."

Sure, the remake raised the Los Angeles band's profile tremendously, and must have earned the musicians a ton of dough in the process.

But it also became something of an albatross. It's the automatic association most people make when they hear the words "Los Lobos," and it's the song everyone expects to hear when they see the band in concert.

That's rather sad, considering "La Bamba" barely hints at Los Lobos' considerable powers as both an exciting live act and an outstanding recording unit.

To get a better sense of what Los Lobos has to offer, pick up a copy of 1992's "Kiko," the band's best studio project and one of that decade's essential rock albums.

Though early Los Lobos discs "By the Light of the Moon," "How Will the Wolf Survive?" and "The Neighborhood" are all quite solid and worth checking out, "Kiko" marks the moment when the Los Angelinos expanded their musical palate exponentially.

The disc's 16 tracks include a sweeping range of styles: the buoyant catchiness of opener "Dream in Blue," the psychedelia of "Kiko and the Lavender Moon," the stateliness of ballad "When the Circus Comes" and the dark blues-rock of "Wicked Rain," to name just a few.

Despite that sensory assault, "Kiko" maintains thematic continuity -- an almost dreamlike quality -- throughout, thanks mainly to the imaginative (mostly English) lyrics of chief songwriting duo David Hidalgo and Louie Perez.

Mitchell Froom and Tehad Blake, a tandem that went on to become regular collaborators with the band, also provide ideally roomy production, giving each instrument plenty of space in which to operate.

Twelve years after its release "Kiko" remains that rarest of albums, one that truly transcends a collection of songs and exists as a complete work.

Hit the play button and see for yourself. Odds are, you'll press play again many times before you ever press stop.

You might even forget about "La Bamba" altogether.

Artist: Los Lobos.

Title: "Kiko."

Year of release: 1992 (Slash/Warner Bros.). Tracklisting: "Dream in Blue," "Wake Up Dolores," "Angels With Dirty Faces," "That Train Don't Stop Here," "Kiko and the Lavender Moon," "Saint Behind the Glass," "Reva's House," "When the Circus Comes," "Arizona Skies," "Short Side of Nothing," "Two Janes," "Wicked Rain," "Whiskey Trail," "Just a Man," "Peace," "Rio de Tenampa."