Fijacion Oral vol. 1 Review

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(More customer reviews)It may take a few listens before it takes hold, but Shakira's "Fijación Oral, Vol. 1" is an outstanding collection of music that is ideal for summer listening. Without a doubt, the Latina beauty's vocals have never sounded so impassioned and sincere.
On the wistful ballads "Obtener Un Sí (To Obtain a Yes)" and "En Tus Papilas (In Your Pupils)," she is absolutely enchanting, delivering her lines in a sensual fashion that will enamor listeners with their syrupy sentiments. The latter's chorus is particularly hard to shake.
"And there's something/Something in you/Something between the two of us/When I look in the pupils of your eyes I know that God still exists/You make him live."
Love doesn't always work out so well for the Colombian/Lebanese chanteuse, however, and she reveals this well in "La Pared (The Wall)" and "No." In the former, she makes a zealous plea for her love to reconsider leaving, for after him is nothing but a wall. In the latter she takes a much different stance, having the strength to tell her man that she must regretfully sever ties with him, for "one can't live with so much venom."
She is still able to find optimism, however, with the soaring "Las de La Intuición (Woman's Intuition)."
"I think I'm starting to understand/That we desired each other before we were born/I get the feeling the action is about to begin/And us women are the ones with intuition."
There are not as many uptempos as usual this time around. Nevertheless, the singer/songwriter gets her rock chick fix with the feisty "Escondite Inglés (English Hideout)," and lead single "La Tortura (The Torture)," featuring Alejandro Fernandez, is a slick, sexy party record that becomes addictive very soon. The latter has ridden atop Billboard's Hot Latin Tracks chart for weeks.
The album closes with an impressive acoustic version of "La Pared" and the Shaketon Remix of "La Tortura." A DualDisc is available with interview footage, English translations and the "La Tortura" video. "Oral Fixation, Vol. 2," the English-language counterpart to this project, will arrive in November.

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The Dual Disc is a new two-sided disc which combines music, film and video on a single disc! The CD side of the DualDisc contains the full-length audio album, while the DVD side features the album plus song lyrics, English translations, the "La Tortura" video, making of the album & studio footage, and an exclusive Shakira interview conducted and filmed by Alejandro Sanz! Epic. 2005.

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La Vida Es Un Ratico En Vivo Review

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(More customer reviews)After reading other reviews for Juanes albums this will not come as a shock to anyone that listens to his music as always he is totally BRILLIANT nothing that he writes is bad.This particular album i have found represents Juanes in true fashion a brilliant musician and a poet of a song writer.I could not pick out one song that is my fave as they all are and are all equally uplifting.My advice to anyone would be to purchase this album as you will not be dissapointed even if you do not speak or understand Spanish you will understand what Juanes is singing about as it comes form the heart and soul.

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It is a re-edition of the album "La Vida Es Un Ratico" which sold more than 1 million albums worldwide and more than 7 million digital songs.2 previously unrelease tracks: * Falsas Palabras* Odio Por Amor (Curent single) Plus * A duet with Colbie Caillat of "Hoy Me Voy" Colbie singles in English and Juanes in Spanish* Various songs record live throughout the European and United States during "La Vida World Tour"

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La Vida...Es un Ratico CD/DVD Limited Edition Review

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(More customer reviews)Since I purchased the CD/DVD limited edition, I'll address the DVD.
From the Amazon website, it looks like there are six cuts or episodes on the DVD. That's misleading. There are six cuts/episodes, but three are in English and the same three are repeated again in Spanish.
The first episode is titled "Juanes: Un Viaje Musical" where Juanes reminisces about his musical start in Medellin, the '80s drug wars that nearly destroyed Colombia, his first record contract and his first group "Ekhymosis," his selling of all his personal possessions to finance his move to Los Angeles, his quest to find music producer Gustavo Santaolalla, his struggle for radio play for "Fijate Bien," his marriage / daughter that influenced "Un Dia Normal," his song writing experiences, touring to promote "Mi Sangre," his anti-landmine crusade, his pride to be a Colombian, etc. This episode gives brief samples of his concerts in Germany, England, and Japan. The most interesting brief performance was an excellent acoustic performance that he gave at the European Parliament.
It was interesting to learn that it took awhile for Juanes to be a comfortable stage performer. This might explains why Juanes hasn't released any completely live concert performance DVDs. Hopefully, now that Juanes has learned to be comfortable on stage and has a real presence, he'll release a live concert DVD.
The second episode is a brief look into the making of the music video "Me Enamora." Unfortunately, the actual video is not on the DVD. I didn't find this very interesting.
The third episode is Juanes explaining the meaning of the songs on the CD. He does point out that this CD has a more Colombian feel with a combination of rock and Colombian folk music. He also explains that this CD and the previous three CDs are a reflection of his life and his growth as a person, a husband, and a father.
The DVD would have been better if it included one or two complete music videos or complete sets of live concert performances.
About this CD, I predict that this will be another award winning CD for Juanes. It has some catchy tunes and beats, but the lyrics of his songs really stands out in this CD.His strong guitar play that you hear in his other CDs continues to shine in this CD.
If you bought the CD without this DVD, I personally don't think it's worthwhile to buy this limited edition unless you are a hardcore Juanes fan.


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La Vida...Es un Ratico (Life is a moment) is the follow up to Juanes' globally multi-platinum release Mi Sangre. In La Vida...Es un Ratico, Juanes once again teams up with co-producer Gustavo Santaolalla, Double-Oscar/Grammy winner. In his first single "Me Enamora," Juanes shows us his intimate personal thoughts on love and relationships. In songs like "Minas Piedras" and Bandera de Manos" he tackles themes of both the hope for peace and social change. With this release, Juanes works to continue to perfect his distinctive fusion of rock with traditional Colombian rhythms and other international styles. Despues del exito de "Mi Sangre", Juanes nos presenta "Me Enamora" el primer sencillo de su tan esperado nuevo lanzamiento "La Vida...Es un Ratico. "La Vida...Es un Ratico" fue producido nuevamente por Juanes y Gustavo Santaolalla, ganador de dos premios Oscar y multiples Grammy's. Juanes escribió letra y musica de todos los temas durante los dos ultimos años, entre la etapa final de la gira de "Mi Sangre" y un periodo sabatico en el que se concentro en la composición de "La Vida...Es un Ratico". En "La Vida...Es un Ratico" hay canciones que hablan de temas sociales como "Minas Piedras" y "Bandera de Manos" y otras como el primer sencillo "Me Enamora" relacionadas a temas personales y del amor. En este lanzamiento Juanes consolida sin duda alguna su idea musical de fusionar rock con ritmos Colombianos, y ritmos internacionales.
Juanes Photos
More from Juanes

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P.A.R.C.E. Review

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(More customer reviews)I am a huge Juanes fan and was looking forward to this release and for the most part it did not disappoint; however it's simply lacking punch and his usual lyrical strength. There is no denying that there is some catchy stuff on this release ("Yerbatero"), but too many middle of the road songs that don't have his usual soul. If you are fan I would purchase it. If you are new to Juanes, try any of his earlier releases over this one.

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JUANES introduces his new album "PARCE". "Parce" is available in 2 configurations.The CD will contain 10 new studio tracks, while the Deluxe will include 12 tracks, plus 2 videos and 2 Behind The Scenes.The first single "YERBATERO", was released worldwide as he performed it during the global broadcast of The FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP KICK-OFF CONCERT.This was the first new track by the Grammy Winning Superstar in the last three years. In addition, "YERBATERO" and 5 of JUANES' previous hits debuted in the Rock Bandas the first Spanish tracks available.His second single "Y No Regresas" , as well as the album, is written and produced by JUANES and Stephen Lipson (producer of famous stars like,Paul McCartney, Rolling Stones, U2 and Jeff Beck among others).

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Oral Fixation vol. 2 Review

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(More customer reviews)...but I thought this album was boring.
No seriously. I'm a huge Shakira fan. We're both from the same town in Colombia.
I've been trying to get American audiences to listen to her for years, and no one was happier than I when she finally hit.
I belong to the fan club.
She had me at "Hello."
I really enjoyed "Fijacion Oral, Vol.1", and I naturally assumed I was gonna love this too. I even said so in my Amazon review way back when. But I slipped this into my car CD player, and...
...nothing.
I mean sure, it's impeccably produced and played, and I love her voice with all its' quirks and swoops. She could sing my tax form and I'd love it.
But nothing jumped out as being "awesome" or "amazing"...things I've come to expect with each of her releases. Beginning with "Pies Descalzos", she has compiled a staggering catalog of quality albums. Even her Unplugged disc is one of the best they've ever done.
"Don't Bother" is a weak single. The first one off this record should have been "bigger", yet I don't know which other one to pick.
There are a couple of interesting things on the album...I mean, this isn't by any means a BAD record...it's just not nearly as good as anything else she's done in years.
Carlos Santana's cameo in "Illegal" is typically nice. The two Spanish-to-English conversions work, for the most part...actually I think "Something" improves on its' predecessor.
But the melodies aren't as catchy...overall, the songs themselves just aren't as good as on Volume 1.
I waited so long for this record...it just bums me out that I'm going to have to wait that much longer for the next one...
Shakira fans will have to have this...no question. I would have bought this record even if I read that this was the worst album since "Glitter". But this is not going to add any fans to her already immense following...

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Live & Off the Record (CD & DVD) Review

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(More customer reviews)I'd like to disclose upfront that I am an avid Shakira fan. I have and enjoy all of her albums and compilations, in both Spanish and English.
This is my favorite Shakira CD. If you are a Shakira fan, it is a must-have. She has some of her greatest hits here, and the energy of the audience at the live concert makes this a very uplifting, energizing listening experience.
Note that this is not a collection of her best songs, and I believe most fans will agree. However, everything on the disc is good, and these are new, refreshing live versions.
What is so amazing about this CD, besides the energy of the live versions of the songs? Shakira is a very talented musician and songwriter, unlike many teenybopper artists in the USA. She has been recording great stuff in Spanish since her mid-teens or so, before she was known in the USA.
The most striking feature in all of Shakira's songs is her voice. Amazing! She has great vocal talent and control. I wish I were a trained musician to describe it better. You have to listen to songs from different albums, in their entirety, to experience the variety and subtlety of her singing.
That said, to enjoy Shakira's work, and this CD in particular, you need to be able to understand Spanish, or at least be willing to listen to songs in Spanish is you don't understand the lyrics. Half of this CD is in Spanish. In my humble opinion (as a bilingual person who has hear all her work), her best stuff is in Spanish; what she has produced in English is good but just scratches the surface of her talent.
While this is an amazing CD, it is probably not the best intro to Shakira if you have never heard her. I generally like remixes and live versions of an artist once I have appreciated the original.
If it is your first exposure to Shakira, I'd suggest her earlier best-of album, Grandes Exitos, which is purely in Spanish and a truly outstanding album by any measure. If you want English, try Laundry Service, which is a great album.
As far as songs on this CD go, "Underneath Your Clothes" and "Ciega, Sordomuda" are so outstanding they are worth the price of admission alone, but everything else is great too.
Listening to this CD, I wish I had not missed Shakira's Mongoose Tour!

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Shakira: Live & Off The Record Review

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(More customer reviews)As a gentleman with a bit of grey in my hair, I've been privileged to have seen almost every major act that came down the road. I saw this concert at another stop on the tour, and I must say I was completely and breathlessly KNOCKED OUT by Shakira's performance, on every professional and ethereal level. The atmosphere in the arena was as highly charged as I've ever experienced, and her entrance as you'll witness on this disc was dramatic, mysterious, sensual and almost otherworldly. When those lights hit the snake and the opening chords of Ojos Asi were struck... and as she began to move... and as she seemed to float forward to the mike... I'll tell you, it was a life moment, I'll never forget it. It was genuinely surreal. What was SO incredible, however, was that by the time the song was about to end and we had seen her movement, heard her voice, and felt the powerful and exotic wall of sound reduce to a simple violin phrase, the crowd was almost silent, as though dumbstruck. Few entrances and opening numbers have ever left me speechless... but this did. As to the DVD, it's A+ in every regard except for being the single most poorly edited video I've ever sat through. A blind editor would have done a better job. Otherwise the show is great, sound is great, camerawork when left alone for more than one second is good (this speed freak MTV five shots a second nonsense must end!), this woman has perhaps the most beautiful face since Bardot and she moves like an opium dream. Buy it and see why Britney and Christina cut their tours short - they obviously watched this DVD!

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No Description AvailableNo Track Information AvailableMedia Type: DVDArtist: SHAKIRATitle: LIVE & OFF THE RECORDStreet Release Date: 03/30/2004

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