For the first 20 or so years of their existence, Los Lobos filled an undeniably important niche in popular music: the intersection of early L.A. punk rock, classic rock and roll and Mexican folk. But despite reams of critical adulation and street cred, they were still the most unhip band in America, banished to the adult- alternative/ easy- listening side of the radio dial. In 1992, though, Los Lobos teamed up with producer Mitchell Froom for Kiko, a stylistic breakthrough that completely changed the band's direction.

Since then, Froom and producer Tchad Blake have helped Los Lobos expand their musical palette radically, both within the band and with various side projects. The Latin Playboys is one such side project-- Froom, Blake, David Hidalgo, and Louie Perez-- whose eponymous 1994 debut was the next quantum leap after Kiko for the members of Los Lobos. With a stripped- down, murkier sound that made the hooks much more prominent and immediate than previous Lobos album, the Playboys conjured up a nocturnal dreamworld Los Angeles, just across the tracks from Beck's old gloomy neighborhood.

The Latin Playboys' punningly titled second album, Dose, contains more of the same rattling drum loops and heavy tape- hiss ambience, but it's far catchier than its predcessor. It's definitely got that side- project vibe to it, but for musicians as talented as Hidalgo and Perez, their tossed- off stuff can sometimes be more interesting than their polished material. On Dose, they succeed tremendously in sounding experimental and playful at the same time; "Ironsides" sounds like an overheard conversation with a car engine running in the background, and a guitar riff that sounds like it's coming from the car's radio.

Every track on Dose has something different to offer the listener. "Mustard" has a country-ish clip- clop rhythm and a twangy guitar to match; "Lemon 'N' Ice" is spookishly sultry, with vocals by ex- Prince backers Wendy and Lisa; "Locoman" is full of sharp guitar and industrial clatter that could easily have been inspired by Nine Inch Nails (or any of its many knockoffs); and the title track is a Tom Waits- like soliloquy with moody, minimal ambient sounds wandering through. "Latin Trip," though, is far and away the record's standout track, with shimmering percussion and warm steel drum- like tones that stick Macha in a lowrider and take 'em for a spin around the neighborhood. So, don't be turned off when the Playboys sing "Don't go figure, it's not about hip/ You won't get it, it's a Latin trip." Even if you don't get it, you can still enjoy the ride.

-Nick Mirov