El Loco follows through on the streamlined, jet-engine
boogie rock of
Degueello, but kicking all the ingredients up a notch. That means that the grooves are getting a little slicker, while the jokes are getting a little sillier, a little raunchier. The double entendres on
"Tube Snake Boogie" and
"Pearl Necklace" are barely disguised, while much of the record plays as flat-out goofy party
rock. Not necessarily a bad thing, but much of it is a little too obvious to be totally winning. Still, the most telling thing about
El Loco may be the rhythm of
"Pearl Necklace," its biggest single and best song, which clearly points the way to the
new wave blues-rock of
Eliminator. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
