Los Lobos - How Will The Wolf Survive? (#431)

Welcome back to another episode of the Backwards Beats Podcast! This week, hosts Carl and Dan double up their recording schedule to bring you a deep dive into the groundbreaking 1984 album How Will the Wolf Survive? by Los Lobos. Currently holding the #431 spot on Rolling Stone’s 500 Greatest Albums of All Time list, this 11-track, 33-minute masterpiece is a densely packed piece of art that blends traditional Mexican-American folk styles with rock, country, blues, doo-wop, and punk. Carl and Dan explore the band's rich East L.A. roots, discuss the pristine, live-in-the-room production helmed by legendary producer T-Bone Burnett, and break down the album track-by-track. They analyze everything from the sweet vocals and "deceptive resolution" music theory behind "Matter of Time," to the blistering Zydeco energy of "The Breakdown" (featuring legendary percussionist Alex Acuña) and the jangly, janglebox-style title track. Finally, stay tuned for the "What's in Your Ears" segment, where Dan obsesses over Steely Dan and Carl revisits a classic 90s sample-based electronic album from Moby! Key Points Behind the Band & Album: Formed in East Los Angeles in 1973 as a group of friends playing Mexican folk music at parties, restaurants, and weddings, Los Lobos consists of David Hidalgo (vocals, guitars, accordion, violins, lap steel), Louie Perez (drums, guitar, vocals), Cesar Rosas (vocals, guitar, bajo sexto), and Conrad Lozano (bass). How Will the Wolf Survive? was their first major label full-length release, co-produced by T-Bone Burnett and Steve Berlin. The 1984 Field: The album peaked at #47 on the US Billboard 200 and spent 34 weeks on the charts. Rolling Stone named it one of the best albums of 1984, competing in an legendary year alongside Bruce Springsteen's Born in the U.S.A., Prince's Purple Rain, Madonna's Like a Virgin, and Van Halen's 1984. Music References Randy Travis 1984 by Van Halen Van Halen Born in the U.S.A. by Bruce Springsteen Bruce Springsteen Purple Rain by Prince When Doves Cry by Prince Let's Go Crazy by Prince Prince Like a Virgin by Madonna Madonna The Smiths Heartbeat City by The Cars Hello Again by The Cars The Cars George Thorogood & The Destroyers ZZ Top Slip Slidin' Away by Paul Simon Paul Simon Little River Band Nick of Time by Bonnie Raitt Bonnie Raitt Social Distortion A Love Supreme by John Coltrane John Coltrane 311 Frankie Valli Scott Bradlee The Four Tops Steep Leazer Heavy Weather by Weather Report Weather Report Paul McCartney Joni Mitchell Ella Fitzgerald Elvis Presley Michael Jackson Chick Corea Whitney Houston Plácido Domingo Wayne Shorter Joe Zawinul Herbie Hancock Carlos Santana Dave Matthews Band Cindy Blackman Santana Ray Charles The Wood Brothers Little Bob and the Lollipops Steve Winwood Diogenism Jerry Garcia Shout by The Isley Brothers The Isley Brothers Brian Setzer Yakety Sax by Boots Randolph Boots Randolph (What's So Funny 'Bout) Peace, Love and Understanding by Elvis Costello Elvis Costello Bob Dylan Kid Charlemagne by Steely Dan Rikki Don't Lose That Number by Steely Dan My Old School by Steely Dan Steely Dan Play by Moby Moby The Chemical Brothers Gwen Stefani Bad Bunny The Ronettes The Rolling Stones Join us next week for Un Verano Sin Ti by Bad Bunny.