Los Angeles

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Lore & Background

The album's narrative is defined by its critical reception and enduring legacy in rock history. Upon release, Ken Tucker of Rolling Stone described it as "a powerful, upsetting work," while Robert Christgau of The Village Voice noted their outlook made a "smart argument for a desperately stupid scene." AllMusic later concluded it is considered by many to be one of punk's all-time finest recordings. In terms of rankings, the album placed at No. 16 in The Village Voice's 1980 Pazz & Jop critics' poll. Rolling Stone ranked it No. 286 on its 2003 list of the 500 greatest albums of all time, a position that shifted to No. 287 in the 2012 update and dropped further to No. 320 in the 2020 update. Additionally, it was ranked No. 24 on Rolling Stone's 1989 list of the 100 best albums of the 1980s.

In Their Own Story

The history of the album includes significant reissues and cultural milestones that extended its life beyond 1980. In 1988, Slash Records issued Los Angeles and X's second studio album, Wild Gift, jointly on a single CD. Rhino Records later reissued it in 2001 with five bonus tracks. The title track achieved recognition when the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame included it in their list of "500 Songs That Shaped Rock and Roll." Pop culture further cemented its status: the song appeared in the series finale of The Shield, was mentioned at the end of Bret Easton Ellis's novel Less than Zero, and featured in the 1981 rockumentary The Decline of Western Civilization. In a notable television moment from 2003, the HBO series Six Feet Under showed main character Nate dancing to "Los Angeles" with his baby daughter, describing the song as "music that doesn't suck." Pitchfork also ranked it 91st on its 2002 list of the decade's top 100 albums.

Reader's Guide

For fans exploring this specific work, the essential listening experience centers on the original lineup and Manzarek's production. John Doe handles bass and lead vocals while Exene provides vocals; Billy Zoom plays guitar and D.J. Bonebrake drums. Ray Manzarek contributed organ on "Nausea," "The Unheard Music," and "The World's a Mess; It's in My Kiss," as well as synthesizer on "Sex and Dying in High Society." Critics like Robert Hilburn named it one of the ten best albums released between 1977 and 1987, while Slant Magazine placed it at No. 98 on its list of the 100 best albums of the 1980s in 2012. The album remains a critical touchstone, with retrospective reviews consistently highlighting its status as one of punk's finest recordings.

Did You Know?

• The album was produced by Ray Manzarek, formerly of The Doors.
• It includes a cover of the 1967 Doors song "Soul Kitchen".
• In 2003, Rolling Stone ranked it No. 286 on its list of the 500 greatest albums of all time.
• In 1988, Slash Records released Los Angeles and X's second album, Wild Gift, together on a single CD.