Colossal Head is an album by American rock band Los Lobos, released in 1996.
Review:
Unlike most bands in their second decade of recording, Los Lobos gets
more daring and diverse as they get older, creating sonic landscapes that are
based in their justly celebrated roots rock but twisting off into wild,
unexpected directions. Colossal Head is their most adventurous work to date,
building on the moody, atmospheric Kiko without losing sight of their gritty
blues roots. While it certainly shows signs of David Hidalgo's lo-fi,
experimental Latin Playboys project, the album isn't merely an exercise in
sound. Los Lobos applies their broad musical palette to a set of tightly
written, inventive songs that may not be as immediate as their past work, but
are no less melodic and rewarding. Instead of running through a number of
different genres on each individual song, they make a dream-like sonic collage
that draws from jazz, funk, and avant-garde as much as their traditional rock,
R&B, Latin, and blues. What keeps Colossal Head from drifting off into space
is Los Lobos' love of American musical traditions. Not only have they mastered
their influences, they have fully assimilated them into their sound, creating
their own, unique music. And that's far more interesting than simply
regurgitating the same blues, rock, Mexican, and country licks.
Stephen Thomas Erlewine – AllMusic.com