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A Camp Stars indicate the most critically-acclaimed albums.
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Chavez Ravine
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The guitarist's latest is a concept album about the residents of 1940's Chavez Ravine, a Mexican-American community near downtown Los Angeles that was famously bulldozed to make way for Dodger Stadium.
| LABEL: | Nonesuch |
| RELEASE DATE: | 14 June 2005 |
| DISCS: | 1 disc |
| GENRE(S): | Rock, Singer-Songwriter, World |
All critic scores are converted to a 100-point scale. If a critic does not indicate a score, we assign a score based on the general impression given by the text of the review. Learn more...
The average user rating for this album is 8.9 (out of 10) based on 33 User Votes
Note: User votes are NOT included in the Metascore calculation.
Bill W gave it a10:
Cooder does not disappoint.....great music and a great story.....one of the best "unknown" guitar composer and picker going
Hein gave it a10:
Masterpiece great concept-album!
Daniel G gave it a4:
I'm interested to know what this sudden interest in Chavez Ravine (the place) came from, not that this story doesn't deserve the attention it's getting. First the photo book published by Chronicle Books, then the play by Culture Clash and now, the album by Ry Cooder. I was impressed with the collection of talent used for the production of this album, but hugely dissappointed when I bought it and took a listen, it's an overrated album and downright obnoxious sometimes. I agree with David M, the worst tracks are his compostions. Good intentions, bad music...
Armando G F gave it a10:
You got to acknowledge that Mr. Cooder came home to his roots of Los Angeles. Not just for himself, but for all of us growing up here in Los Angeles and in the latino community. The mixture of of styles in the music is what the average latino listened to. I was not born at the time of these political crimes till 1961, I did grow up here in Los Angeles in the middle of a city with different nationalities listening to all different styles of music. Me especially because I was into music because on my mother and father. But I went further listening to Blues,Rock,Jazz,Swing,Classical,the different Latinos styles,acoustic and electric. Latinos in Los Angeles listened to all styles of music. So the mixture on the recordings for that time period is appropriate for the subject matter. I'm regular joe who grew up in Los Angeles at the end of the old and the beginning of the most ugly changes to our communities.
Matt A gave it a6:
I have to agree with David M, although I would also put Sleater-kinney in that severely overrated category as well. A decent enough listen but I think that it is getting alot of kudos just because the guy is somewhat of a legend in the world music scene. It was the same with "Smile." It was a good album, but not 97 on metacritic good, and even critics that initially gave it a really high score realized that in retrospect, as was evident by the fact that it only appeared on no more than half of the end of year lists and was number one on only a few.
David M gave it a6:
Right now only Lookaftering ranks ahead of it as most overrated album in Metacritic top 30... This album has been way overrated on account of it's well meaning political intentions, but as music...I am really unimpressed, and I've given it a solid 8 or 9 listens now. Only closing track is fantastic, and only one or two others (ie. Muy Fifi) memorable. Worst, all of the weakest tracks are Cooders own compositions. Despite the unique ethnic and historical appeal, end result is Bland and undynamic.
Chris O gave it a10:
Simply breathtaking

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