How Will the Wolf Survive?

Released in 1984, How Will the Wolf Survive? is Los Lobos’ second release and the first in which the band composed most of the songs (“I Got Loaded” and the traditional “Serenata Nortena” are the exceptions). Los Lobos didn’t merely draw upon R&B, country, Tex Mex, traditional Mexican folk, blues, soul, and rock influences on this release; they took those styles and crafted their own genre, setting the template that they would expand upon over the course of their long career. Bluesy rockers like “Don’t Worry Baby” fit snugly beside Latin-tinged numbers like “Corrida #1” and the sizzling R&B of “Evangeline” on the strength of stunning musicianship. In particular, David Hidalgo dazzles on guitar, accordion, and pedal steel and Steve Berlin swings mightily on soprano, tenor, and baritone sax. Their song craft is equally strong. On the soulful “A Matter of Time” and especially the timeless title track they explore what it means to be an immigrant in America with the depth and maturity of men twice their age. A classic, and as it turns out, they were just getting started.