Graciasland is
El Vez's best work, smoothly combining humor, social and political satire, and great rock & roll in one fell swoop. The album's cover, a sendup of
Paul Simon's Graceland, both critiques the appropriation of minority cultures by a dominant culture and is just plain funny. "Graciasland" reworks
Paul Simon's "Graceland," featuring the politically charged lyrics "For reasons I have explained/I'm not a part of Spain/I'm part Aztlan/and I'm trying to get back to a place I've never been/I'm trying to cross over/Well I've reason to believe/We all have been deceived/There is an Aztlan." Throughout the album he is able to mix pure fun with serious messages, not an easy feat. ~ Kembrew McLeod