Alex Lora and his band El Tri continue their 33 year onslaught on rocknrol. This time around they continue on the success of playing with a full orchestra, hence the title "Sinfonica II." The difference is that this time it is not a live recording but in studio with equally stunning results. The arrangements are a collaboration but primarily the maestro Eduardo Diaz Munoz has the honors. He is the musical and artistic director of the Orchestra Filarmonica Metroploitana and arranges the songs of El Tri in unison with the other eighty four instruments of the orchestra. It is a marvelous marriage of classic music and rocnrol. Throughout the disc Alex Lora's unmistakable raspy, coarse voice permeates the sweet sounds of the violin strings. It is like a counter balance, moments of pure orchestra suddenly mixed in with Alex's gritos y guitarrazos(shouts & guitar riffs) creating a synthesis that never tips the scales. The old time rocnrol flavor is further illustrated by the fine harmonica work of El Tri band member Rafa Salgado. The songs included here are many of the favorites that long time El Tri fans will quickly recognize. Such classics as "Perdedor" with it's salt of the earth lyrics, "Ya Estamos Hartos" in typical Lora rebellious fashion, "Todo Me Sale Mal" Lora's famous anthem inspired by those who try hard but never get the desired results, his autobigraphical "Escalvo del Rocanrol" and his homage to his Mexican people "La Raza Mas Chida" which is made of "Tequila and Mexcal and capable of laughing at itself." This is a fun disc that mixes humorous lyrics with political bite all the while having a good old rocnrol time. An additonal bonus is that this is an enhanced CD that has some good media included. In the interactive visual section there is much to explore on your computer including the long history of this 33 year old band, a Alex Lora "philosophy" session, a musical number and a section that is updated periodically. If you've never heard of this band take a listen, there is a reason why they have been around since 1968. Mexico's answer to the Rolling Stones these veteran rockers are in for the long run as they continue to create classic productions. Try this rocnrol and classical hybrid without airs for a foot stomping, romping good time.