Zone of Our Own

The album was produced by Bill Halverson and the band.[9] The members often recorded separately, which they determined that they didn't like.[10] "El Pantalon Blue Jean" was written by the father of Flaco Jimenez.[11] "Volver" and "La Mucura" are traditional folk tunes.[12] Three songs are sung solely in Spanish.[13]

Professional ratings

Review scores
Source	Rating
AllMusic	[14]
Chicago Tribune	[11]
The Encyclopedia of Popular Music	[15]
MusicHound Rock: The Essential Album Guide	[16]
The Rolling Stone Album Guide	[17]
USA Today	[18]

The Austin American-Statesman wrote: "While there's too much soulful artistry involved to be properly showcased within the space of a single album, Zone of Our Own underscores the crucial connections between the Sir Douglas Quintet-style rock of Doug Sahm, the border (and border-transcending) musics of Freddy Fender and Flaco Jimenez and the Tejano-flavored country of Augie Meyers."[19] USA Today noted that the band uses "everything from German polkas to psychedelic rock to Mexican boleros."[18]

The Edmonton Journal determined that "the one true riveting moment on Zone of Our Own comes from a pan-fried, rollicking reworking of Is Anyone Goin' to San Antone".[20] The Chicago Tribune stated that the band has "a clear understanding of and deep love for the many musics that swirl across the Lone Star State."[11]

AllMusic concluded that "for all the sonic diversity of the Texas Tornados, Zone of Our Own still sounds like it's all of a piece, like the play list of some blessedly eclectic radio station beaming out along the border, as the four frontmen bounce off each other with joyous aplomb."[14] The Rolling Stone Album Guide opined that "swagger this assured takes years to muster."[17]