los tigres del norte / albums

If any norteño group should be compared to Bob Dylan, Rubén Blades, U2, or the Clash, it's probably Los Tigres del Norte. Over the years, these norteño/Tex-Mex rebels have maintained their outlaw image and refused to soften their lyrical blows; Los Tigres' rough-and-tumble tales of Mexican-American life along the U.S./Mexico border can usually be counted on to have plenty of bite (as well as a healthy dose of humor). And when they sing about "la migra" -- that is, U.S. immigration officials -- they aren't exactly supportive. No one will ever accuse Los Tigres del Norte of being card-carrying members of the "La Migra Fan Club" -- not in this life, anyway. Full of gutsy, memorable lyrics, this two-disc set is a fine representation of what they do. The first disc is a 20-song, 67-minute audio CD, while the second is a bonus DVD containing six videos -- and in both formats, Los Tigres bring a lot of grit to the table. Songs like "El Tamal" and "El Corrido del Doctor Fonseca" are great examples of their colorful, vibrant approach to storytelling; like Rubén Blades singing "Pedro Navaja" for salsa/Afro-Cuban audiences, Los Tigres are great at bringing their characters and stories to life. Those who have at least some knowledge of Spanish will get a lot out of Los Tigres' lyrics; however, one doesn't have to speak any Spanish to appreciate the sound of the band. Regardless of one's knowledge of Spanish, these guys have a sound that is totally addictive; the accordion-powered fusion of polka and ranchera that makes norteño what it is works amazingly well for Los Tigres on this excellent collection. ~ Alex Henderson, All Music Guide