Kudos, but Not a Full House, Greet Los Lobos at the Greek

California Lt. Gov. Cruz Bustamante showed up Saturday at the Greek Theatre to bestow the state’s gratitude on Los Lobos for its 25 years together, a day after the Los Angeles City Council had similarly proclaimed its respect for the band’s “admirable legacy.” All that’s left now is for President Clinton to formalize what fans of inspired, boundary-less music making have always known, and declare the East L.A. quintet a national treasure.

If only all our institutions remained as vibrant as this one. Every step the band has taken over its 16-year recording career has pushed it forward in richly satisfying ways, something its Greek concert made crystal clear.

From the traditional Mexican music of “Anselma” that won Lobos the first of three career Grammys, and represented one of the cornerstones of the members’ musical heritage, through the rock anthem “How Will the Wolf Survive?” that helped push the band from roots-music favorite to mainstream recognition, to the bold aural experiments of their ‘90s albums, these wolves have not only survived but thrived by remaining artistically hungry and always on the prowl.

Perhaps because Lobos’ latest album, “This Time,” continues the ambitious sonic explorations started in 1992 with “Kiko” and maintained with 1996’s “Colossal Head,” bold departures from the instantly accessible roots rock that typified its ‘80s work, the Greek was only about three-quarters full for this 25th anniversary homecoming show. Talk about local heroes being taken for granted.

And it may have been in deference to those who have stayed with the group over time that Lobos offered up a celebratory career survey rather than providing a meaty block from “This Time,” which chips away with dense, groove-driven, impressionistic musical textures and frequently elliptical lyrics at the theme of time slipping away. Slip it may for most, but if anyone can call time its friend, it’s Los Lobos.