Intocable

With a dozen years logged, every one of them spent pushing the boundaries and expanding the realm of the acceptable in regional Mexican music, Intocable offer up perhaps their most adventurous effort yet. Crossroads is a genuine convergence of disparate musical influences, both Latin and not. In addition to ranchera, norteño, cumbia, and other standard Intocable fare, there are strong veins of country running throughout the record. Produced by Dixie Chicks veteran Lloyd Maines (father of frontwoman Natalie Maines), Crossroads is adorned in country grace on "Vuelve Mi Amor" and flaunts a bit of honky tonk on the single "Por Ella." Producer Junior Cabral adds unique flavor with mandolin and banjo, more influences that are seldom heard on Mexican radio. In an era when norteño continues to stagnate with record sales tapering off, yesterday's heroes playing smaller venues, and huge numbers of knockoff groups glutting the market with disappointingly uncreative material, Intocable continue to raise the bar. Receiving accolades from critics and fellow musicians alike, Crossroads is the finest norteño release of the year. The Billboard charts agree, placing the record at number one in both the Regional Mexican Music and Top Latin Albums categories. Accompanied by a DVD featuring a short but well-made documentary about the making of the album and artist interviews, Crossroads is a non-negotiable item for even casual Mexican music fans. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide