Okay, I’m going to do something that is tantamount to sacrilege where I come from, but the cover of Ruben Blades’ “Patria” on here is just plain bad. Granted, the original, a beautiful and moving explanation of what the concept of “homeland” means, is so damned good that even Blades himself would probably have trouble covering his own song, but the version here is particularly bad. There, I’ve done it. I’ve offered up the first negative comment I’ve EVER uttered against a band that is as sacred to me as Hüsker Dü, the Big Boys, the Blasters, Charlie Parker and Cuco Sanchez. Excuse me while I pop off and wash my mouth out with soap…. Okay, as I was saying, some mighty fine work is laid down here, with the soul-based covers of Bobby Womack and Thee Midnighters tunes really standing out, and the live run-through of the Blasters’ “Marie Marie” eliciting more than a little tail feather-shaking, but that cover of “Patria,” boy. Excuse me. Gotta kiss the Irish Spring again…. They manage to remain true to the original spirit of Elvis Costello and Tom Waits while infusing that patented Lobos groove to the proceedings and effectively turning what was old into something new. As with everything this band has so much as looked at, this is highly recommended. Just be sure to skip “Patria.” Uh, excuse me...
–jimmy (www.hollywoodrecords.com)