Physical Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)In October 1981, Olivia Newton-John released "Physical"
BEFORE:
The poster-girl of sweet wholesome pop music, Olivia began changing her image in Grease and the "Totally Hot" album which followed suit. She also had appeared in the movie Xanadu, which flopped but had a hit soundtrack. This was to be her first studio album in three years.
AFTER:
The title track was a #1 hit for ten weeks (making it the #1 song of the 1980's), the album went double platinum and peaked at #6. The album had another top five hit with "Make A Move On Me". Olivia was on top of the world at the moment. Hosting SNL, preparing to open Koala Blue, and embarking on a wildly successful 1982 tour. This was the peak of Olivia's popularity.While Physical, the track, has been overplayed to the extent that the song is a caricature instead of an actual record, the album as a whole retains as the strongest album of Livvy's career.
1. Landslide (5/5) is the perfect leadoff single. The song is fast, dancy and sets the pace for the record.
2. Stranger's Touch (5/5) is even better (a shame it wound up on a b-side). The sexiest moment off the album.
3. Make A Move On Me (5/5) is a classic and is catchy as hell. The video was terrible but the song makes up for it.
4. Falling (5/5) is a beautiful acoustic haunting ballad about falling in love.
5. Love Make Me Strong (3.5/5) is a good song but probably the worst track.
6. Physical (5/5), what needs to be said about it? everyone knows this song.
7. Silvery Rain (5/5). Olivia was caring about the environment back when most of the "environmentalist" rock stars weren't even signed yet. The song rocks and is one of the best of the album. Starts out like a mellow 70's ONJ rock song and then becomes a rocker during the chorus. Even though Cliff Richard did the song a decade before Livvy, you can tell she deeply cares about the lyrics.
8. Carried Away (4.5/5). A pretty Gibb ballad that was originally written but then rejected for Barbra Streisand's "Guilty" album, and it probably wouldn't have fit there because it's structured a little too much like "Woman In Love". A soothing upbeat early 80's ballad you could listen to in the tub.
9. Recovery (4/5) kinda reminds me of "(Want You) Back In My Life" by The Carpenters. Kind of a tropical sounding sound with very audible John Farrar background vocals.
10. The Promise (4.5/5). Another environmentalist ballad. Very beautiful and Olivia sings about her love for dolphins (you can hear dolphins in the background). A beautiful song.
I would love Universal to remaster this (I know there's an import) and add some bonus tracks from the period... I heard Olivia recorded a demo of "I Paralyse" around this album, which ended up being recorded by Cher the next year (which was produced by Farrar too)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Physical

Reissue of Olivia's top 10, double platinum 1981 album for MCA. 10 tracks, including the smash title song that spent 10consecutive weeks at #1 in the U.S., plus the top five 'MakeA Move On Me' and the chart hit 'Landslide'. All tracks are digitally remastered. 1998 Festival Records release. --This text refers to an alternate Audio CD edition.

Click here for more information about Physical

Brandi Carlile Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I hope people don't start getting suspicious about all these glowing reviews from Brandi's home town. I'm really not a relative or friend of hers. In fact, I had never heard of Brandi Carlile until an article was written about her last week in the local paper. On a whim (and the fact that she looks adorable on the cover) I picked it up and was completely blown away by her amazing talent. She's a little bit Bonnie Raitt, a little bit Indigo Girls and a little bit KD Lang. But she's all original. Her voice is wonderful and listening to her gives you chills the first time you hear her. I just wish the CD were a little longer since I'm finding myself listening to it 2 or 3 times a day. I can't wait for more from this talented young lady. She's destined for stardom.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Brandi Carlile

Authentic. That's the first word that springs to mind when you encounter Brandi Carlile. From her rootsy bell-clear voice to the palpable emotion that seeps through every song on her stunning debut album, everything about this 23-year-old from rural Washington state is the real deal.

Deeply driven to be an artist, Carlile's life-long love affair with performing began when her musician mother brought her out onstage at the Northwest's version of the Grand Ole Opry. Carlile sang Roseanne Cash's "Tennessee Flat-Top Box". She was 8.

Growing up in the isolated foothills of Ravensdale, 50 miles outside of Seattle, Carlile turned to music for company. "Ravensdale wasn't a town," she says. "We were the only house around for acres and acres. Being in the middle of nowhere, it wasn't the kind of place you brought friends back to, so I just hung around the woods and built forts and played music with my brother and sister. That's all we did. And we thought that's what everyone else in the world did, too."

During those years, Carlile taught herself to sing. "I locked myself in my room when no one was home to see how loud and high I could sing, and how long I could hold a note," she says. "I'm sure it sounded like mating season, but I knew that's what it would take to develop a big, powerful voice." She also figured out how to play the piano ("I wanted to be like Elton John") and eventually guitar at age 17.

From then on, Carlile performed everywhere she could. She even took a job as a back-up singer for a local Elvis impersonator, an experience she credits with teaching her how to layer vocals and sing harmonies. A few years later, Carlile began to book herself and her band (Seattle natives and twin brothers Tim and Phil Hanseroth) at restaurants around the city--the local chowder house, a popular sports bar and grill, and at any wedding or birthday party that would hire her, just so she could practice.

"I've never had a real job," she says. "I've insisted that I do nothing but play music and not let my head go anywhere else. If that means playing in a smoky bar for three hours, five nights a week, that's fine. It's discipline. It teaches you how to grab your audience, no matter who they are."

Carlile's determination and work ethic paid off in late 2004 when she signed with Columbia Records, home to several of her favorite artists, including Bob Dylan, Bruce Springsteen, Jeff Buckley, Leonard Cohen, Janis Joplin, and James Taylor, whom she has shared a stage with. The timeless quality of her debut album for Columbia, Brandi Carlile, is proof of her intention to become a classic artist alongside her labelmates.

The album is a showcase for Carlile's expressive voice, which can turn from a tough, bluesy growl to a vulnerable, aching falsetto on a dime. The catch in her throat before she launches into those alpine high notes is reminiscent of her idol, country singer Patsy Cline.

"Patsy Cline had a really gutsy, powerful voice," she says. "I identify with that. I've gone through all sorts of vocal phases, from pop to blues to R&B, but no matter what I do, I just can't get the country & western out of my voice."

Rather than fight it, Carlile makes good use of the country flavor by juxtaposing it with dark, otherworldly melodies on songs like "Follow" and "Tragedy". Think of a female Roy Orbison or Radiohead's Thom Yorke fronting a roots-rock band and you're not far off. The contrast led Rolling Stone, which named her one of their 10 Artists to Watch in 2005, to declare: "Carlile's ethereal, melancholy ballads have a spare heartache that reflects her love for old-school country...but she loves new-school mopers like Radiohead and Jeff Buckley just as much". Indeed, those artists' influence can be felt on the simple, acoustic strummers "Happy", "Gone" and "Tragedy". Other musical stand-outs include "Throw It All Away" and "Fall Apart Again".

The ten sublime gems on Brandi Carlile were recorded sporadically throughout 2004 in Seattle, some at Carlile's home in bucolic Maple Valley, Washington. "I live in a log cabin and the ceilings are really high, so it sounds great," she says. "We rented a Pro-tools set-up and put it smack in the middle of my living room." Some of the unadorned production comes courtesy of indie-stalwart producer John Goodmanson, who has worked with Sleater-Kinney and Blonde Redhead, and the rest was driven by Carlile and the twins. "We just went in and played the songs," she says. "It interrupted my whole world for weeks, but we made some really good music."

Click here for more information about Brandi Carlile

Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo: Live Summer Vacation (2002) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Pat says she's much happier with her career NOW than she was back when she felt tied to the fast-track -- and her happiness shows in this high-energy concert with only a few flaws. First off, she looks great -- trim and defined at the age of 50(!). Second, she sounds incredible and her band does too -- delivering as much heat and energy off of songs like Hell Is For Children and Promises In The Dark as they did 25 years ago. The only difference is that she now delivers her anthems with a nod to how fun they are to belt rather than taking them too seriously. The flaws? The concert looks as if it were staged just for the production of this video (so it feels somehow less live and spontaneous) and the occasional new song (Out of the Ruins) is just not my cuppa. Nitpicking, really. Enjoy the show -- she still out-hollas anyone. :)

Click Here to see more reviews about: Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo: Live Summer Vacation (2002)

Click here for more information about Pat Benatar/Neil Giraldo: Live Summer Vacation (2002)

Paula Abdul: Under my Spell Live Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Paula Abdul's first (and only) major concert tour was amazing and completely blew me away as a viewer. Seeing all of the dancing and special effects was wonderful for me as a true Paula fan. Even though I felt the show was too short and more songs from her 2 albums (up to that point) should have been included besides the obvious hits. Songs like "Will You Marry Me?", "Alright Tonight" and "State of Attraction" immediately spring to mind. I recall Paula saying in an interview that she'd seen both Madonna and Janet Jackson's tours in 1990 and that she wanted to incorporate some of the energy and spectacle from them but also wanted her show to be more exciting and more striking. Well all I can say is that she most definently succeeded, combining intense dancing, video special effects, surprisingly decent vocals and of all things, flying ballet dancers, Paula's show was definently one of a kind. Each number performed showed Paula's versatility as a dancer and choreographer and most of all, an entertainer. This Grammy and Emmy winning performer didn't get half the acclaim and credit she so richly deserved. But this is 1 fan who's certainly under Paula's spell. And by the way she looked great contrary to the above opinion, she was nowhere near "fat".

Click Here to see more reviews about: Paula Abdul: Under my Spell Live

1993 - Polygram Video - Filmed While In The Far East On Her Spectacular "Under My Spell" Tour. Paula's Live Performance Is A Stunning Display Of Versitality, Style And Elegance - 62 Minutes - Songs Include : 1. Paula's Overture / 2. Spellbound / 3. Straight Up / 4. Promise Of A New Day / 5. Vibeology / 6. Opposites Attract / 7. U / 8. Blowing Kisses In The Wind / 9. Rush, Rush / 10. It's Just The Way That You Love Me / 11. Cold Hearted Snake / 12. Forever Your Girl

Click here for more information about Paula Abdul: Under my Spell Live

Take Me Home Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)«CASABLANCA YEARS» is the right CD to buy if you're after the original tracks, featured in their proper & original length. Note that this album includes the short versions of the classics «Take Me Home», "Wasn't It Good", "Happy Was The Day We Met" & "Say The Word".
The first two tracks really don't belong on this album «Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down) & «You Better Sit Down Kids».

Click Here to see more reviews about: Take Me Home

Click here for more information about Take Me Home

True Colors Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)This album certainly has a lot of memories attached to it for me. Then again, all 80's music has a special memory for all of us. The first time I remember hearing "True Colors" was in late November of 1986, I was 17 and a junior in high school working late in the town grocery store. I was the only person left in the store to close up late, and I turned up the radio and Cyndi Lauper started singing her song. It had been a while since I had heard her voice on the air. Her last hit was "Goonies" in late summer of 85'. I really loved "True Colors" it came out at just the right time of year. In late November of 86', when its cold outside and the wind is blowing and you had to wear a coat. Those were great memories, and also about 2 months later in January of 1987, that's when I first heard "Change of Heart". Both of these songs remind me of my small hometown in Oklahoma during the fall and winter. Of a fun job that I didn't have to take too seriously and mopping the floor after the store closed. Turn up the 80's tunes! If you like Cyndi Lauper, then you'll love this album. It's quite a bit slower than her first album "She's So Unusual", but then again it's also 2 years later also. The music started to change as the world started to change. I urge you to buy this album, it's truly a classic!
David

Click Here to see more reviews about: True Colors

RK 40313

Click here for more information about True Colors

Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music, Volume 3 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I was give Volume 2 and I thought it was good. I decided to go see how Volume 3 was. I loved it! In my opinion even better then the Volume 2! It has a wide variety of songs that all sound great. i loved Sarah's "Black and White". It's amazing!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music, Volume 3

Click here for more information about Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music, Volume 3

Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music, Volume 2 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It is quite rare these days to find high quality compilations featuring female artists, but this is an absolute exception. 'Lilith Fair 2' contains a wonderful mix of old and new artists, all of whom sing with great passion and vibrancy. The music comes across as being meaningful and listenable, and successfully captures the diversity which has really brought women's music to the fore. Standout tracks include 'Angels' which is beautifully sung by Sarah and Emmylou, 'Island' by Heather Nova (she truly has an angelic voice), 'Sway' by Bic Runga (she epitomizes warmth and tenderness) and 'In the Ghetto' by the brilliant Natalie Merchant. Moreover, this compilation exudes all that is great about women's music and it truly will not disappoint. If only there were more compilations (other than the 'Lilith series) besides this!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music, Volume 2

Click here for more information about Lilith Fair: A Celebration Of Women In Music, Volume 2

Lilith Fair - A Celebration of Women in Music (1997) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Although this is a fine piece of work in general, the advertised 5.1 mix is simply not true. A true 5.1 mix has a wide spatial feel with different sound eliments coming out of the several speakers. This 5.1 mix is an obvious afterthough. The center channel is no more than a mono sum of the left and right channels, and the rear channels are some sort of mish mosh of the stereo mix with some ambience in it. There are also some really odd low frequency artifacts in the rear channels during the dialog and interview segments, due to some sort of unacceptable processing to fool the listener (and buyer) into thinking he is listening to a real 5.1 mix.
I can guarantee that this was a poor marketing decision and not what the remix engineer delivered. I know this because I was the remix engineer, and I was asked to deliver the stereo only mix that was originally done for the broadcast and pay-per-view version.
I encourage buyers to take up issue with DVD distributors who continue to market such poor quality.
Tom Davis
SeisMic Sound, Inc.
Nashville, TN

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lilith Fair - A Celebration of Women in Music (1997)

Lilith Fair made rock and roll history in the summer of 1997 as the first all-female music tour. These sold-out concert performances could only be described as magical, boasting many once-in-a-lifetime collaborations. That magic is captured here in Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music, which also includes never-before-seen backstage jams, intimate interviews and behind-the-scenes documentary footage of the artists. Songs: Building a Mystery (Sarah McLachlan), Water is Wide (Indigo Girls/Jewel/Sarah McLachlan), Bitch (Meredith Brooks), Tried to Be True (Indigo Girls/Sheryl Crow), Sunny Came Home (Shawn Colvin), Strong Enough (Sheryl Crow), Near You Always (Jewel), Shame on You (Indigo Girls), Ice Cream (Sarah McLachlan), Closer to Fine (Indigo Girls/Meredith Brooks/Jewel/Sarah McLachlan), I Need (Meredith Brooks), Wichita Skyline (Shawn Colvin), Angel (Sarah McLachlan), I Shall Believe (Sheryl Crow), Morning Song (Jewel), Big Yellow Taxi (All Artists).

Click here for more information about Lilith Fair - A Celebration of Women in Music (1997)

Cuts Both Ways Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)CUTS BOTH WAYS is the very best of Gloria's albums. She was at the very top of her singing and writing abilities when she made this one. Every single song is excellent. The ballads are just sweet and beautiful. The few dance music songs have a latin flavor and are just plain fun.
Her work since this album has been hit and miss. This is the best!

Click Here to see more reviews about: Cuts Both Ways

Click here for more information about Cuts Both Ways

Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)for that version of eternal flame on disc one, and the incredible result of combining my 2 favorite artists (mclachlan and Jewel) along with the indigo girls to sing "water is wide," this CD is priceless. You want it, then see if you can pry it from my cold dead fingers or just buy it right now and save some time and energy.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music

Click here for more information about Lilith Fair: A Celebration of Women in Music

A Gogo Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)If you have not seen Patty in Concert, please do so! I am a relocated New Englander that has been lucky enough to see her perform on 5 occasions. While I love her studio work I believe that her live performances are where she truly shines! This CD is like a cherished souvenier from her performance. This woman can send shivers up my spine. She can make you laugh, then have you on the brink of tears just minutes later. Just listen to her guitar work! I have not been able to figure out why Patty is not a Superstar. She can play circles around Bonnie Whatsername, and writes some of the most incisive lyrics I have ever heard. Six of the Fourteen cuts on this CD are from "Angels Running" which gets my vote as her best studio release. Listen to "Do Not Disturb" and "Who Holds Your Hand". Guaranteed to turn you into a Pathead! Love Yah Patty!

Click Here to see more reviews about: A Gogo

Click here for more information about A Gogo

Lucky Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)After the heartbreaking "Skin" a couple years ago, Melissa Etheridge has come back with an infectious, addicting, highly emotional, fun cd. Clearly, the tone of the album is polar opposite of "Skin".
"Secret Agent", "Giant", "If You Want To" and "Kiss Me" are great rock songs in every sense - lots of guitar, a driving beat, and sexy (as well as amusing) lyrics on "Secret Agent" and "Kiss Me".
The title track "Lucky" is the emotional setting of this album, and you will feel the happiness of it in each song that follows.
"Tuesday Morning" is a power packed, emotional tribute to Mark Bingham, the gay man who was on Flight 93 with Todd Beamer (of "Let's roll" fame). The song is pointed, political, amazingly well-written, and if it doesn't cover your body in gooesbumps and fill your eyes with tears, you're not breathing.
"Breathe" is the first single off the album, and I really like Melissa's version of it. It tends to stick in your head, and you'll find yourself humming it absently all the time.
"Mercy" has a nice blues feel to it, and I think it will be an amazing live piece. "This Moment", "The One", and "Will You Still Love Me" are tender ballads and classic Etheridge writing from her heart.
I could go on and on about "Lucky", but instead, I'll just say that if you're a Melissa Etheridge fan or a rock and roll fan or even a fan of great music in general, this is a must have in your collection.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Lucky

Click here for more information about Lucky

Mirrorball: The Complete Concert (2 CD's) Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)I found this CD totally by accident when out record shopping. I had to have it since I love the DVD and Sarah's more recent concert film, "Afterglow Live".
Though I've been wondering for AGES why they didn't just release the whole concert audio when the original Mirrorball CD came out some 10 (?) years ago.
Needless to say, this concert CD is awesome. It is taken from the last night of the tour in Portland, Oregon. Unlike the previous Mirrorball CD which took songs recorded throughout the tour, this is all one show. I believe it's the same show taped for the DVD.
It's great to finally get all the songs that were missing from the original CD, like "Vox" and "I Will Not Forget You", to name a couple.
I don't like how the tracks are not seamless, as each track begins from complete silence to a fade in to a fade out and silence between songs. When I buy a concert CD, I like the seamless transision between songs. It feels like you're experiencing the concert again. The seamed songs do take away from the recording, but only barely. Overall, this CD is a great release and worth every penny.

Click Here to see more reviews about: Mirrorball: The Complete Concert (2 CD's)

Click here for more information about Mirrorball: The Complete Concert (2 CD's)

True Love Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)You know her music, you all did the shoulder shake from the video of LOVE IS A BATTLEFIELD. But what many don't know is that Ms. Benatar has the pipes from being trained in opera.
Opera to rock, how did that happen you might ask? Well, let's wait for VH1's Behind the music to find out.
But this CD is what you have to call a treasure. It was never destined to be a smash hit. Pat Benatar singing the Blues? Who would have bought that? But damn it you need to give it a chance.
In my mind, this is where Ms. Benatar decided to stretch her artistic wings and go out at it.
The Blues is the father to rock and roll, and in Ms. Benatar's powerful voice you can hear why. She wraps herself in songs by BB King and more that you wouldn't expect. She is raw, heartfelt and passionate.
I wish the label had pushed it more. Or even for VH1 to have been more of an influence then like it is now. Pat Benatar would have benfited from VH1's Storytellers show to perform songs from th is album in that setting. Truly an amazing album!

Click Here to see more reviews about: True Love

Click here for more information about True Love

Aphrodite Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)For unabashed, unapologetic pop music fun Kylie Minogue albums are often the answer. With the Aussie singer's 11th album "Aphrodite" this fact is blissfully reaffirmed.
Precision-tooled to blare out of speakers everywhere from San Diego BMWs to overpriced Parisian boutiques to Caribbean nightclubs, this clever, infectious baker's dozen of pop tunes flies out of the oven aimed squarely at the pleasure zone of Minogue's core audience. It is a thing of beauty.
The album has a very appealing sonic marriage of 2002's heavy-handed dance of "Fever" with the upbeat yet cool-as-cucumber lounge-ready pop of hits such as "I Believe In You" and "Chocolate." The result is an uptempo but unserious sound that is often quite European and always danceable.
Lead single "All the Lovers" is an ideal example. Its ceaseless beats have the resonance of disco yet are laser-like and modern. As with other key tracks such as the blissful eureka moment of "Everything Is Beautiful" or the high-BPM "Put Your Hands Up," a confident kiss goodbye to sadness courtesy of the dance floor, the song has a smart, sunny Euro-pop sheen that immediately ingratiates itself. Minogue's smooth, sweet, feminine vocals lead the way.
The diva-comeback theme of the cheeky, delightful, softly rambunctious title track can be seen coming from a mile away, but this upfront lack of pretense is part of Minogue's effortless charm. "Better Than Today" also impresses with its sharply-chiseled synthesizers buoying her jubilant vocals.
Unlike 2007's "X," there is a track or two that do not impress as much as those that surround. Although its lyrics are well-written, "Closer" is essentially a less appealing sequel to 2004's slick, sexy "Slow" and the closing "Can't Beat the Feeling" flies by without calling attention to itself.
"Get Outta My Way," the album's high point, is a declaration of intentions to savor all of life's transient pleasures whether or not company joins in. Its frenetic energy and sugary-sweet pop hook make it destined for the upper reaches of the charts, although comparisons to Minogue's 2000 hit "Spinning Around" are certainly justified from the title alone.
"Put your hands up if you feel love tonight," "Take a chance tonight and try something new," "I'm fierce and I'm feeling mighty, I'm an aphrodite" and "Can you feel me in the stereo?" are some of the album's best lines and indication of themes listeners will find and enjoy.
"Aphrodite" is expertly crafted, low-brow yet sophisticated and endlessly listenable. What more can a pop music fan ask for?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Aphrodite

Over the course of her extraordinary20-plus-year-career, KYLIE MINOGUEhas been a global force in pop musicand is one of the world's most successful femaleartists with more than 60 million albums soldworldwide, 50 hit singles including the USBillboard dance-chart toppers "Can't Get YouOur of My Head," "Love At First Sight," "Slow,"and the Grammy-Award winning "Come IntoMy World."Now Kylie returns this summer withAPHRODITE, a divine collection of pop treasuresand club-ready anthems, and a nod to her goddessstatus among pop music lovers the world over.Executive-produced by studio genius StuartPrice (musical director for Madonna, producer ofthe last Killers album and the artist known as LesRhythmes Digitales), this new collection of songssees Kylie further celebrating her dancefl oorroots with an amazing array of collaborationswith the likes of UK electro upstart Calvin Harris,Australian producers NERVO (who co-wrote DavidGuetta's hit "When Love Takes Over"), andacclaimed British songwriter Nerina Pallot.Since the release of Kylie's acclaimed 2008album "X", electronic pop has been stormingthe US airwaves and charts, as evidenced by thesuccess of Lady Gaga, Kesha and David Guetta,all of whom would surely acknowledge Kylie'splace in the pop music pantheon. Special edition CD+DVD available featuring "All TheLovers" video + behind the scenes footage, exclusiveinterview, live tracks, photo gallery + exclusive web content accessible via URL in packaging

Click here for more information about Aphrodite

Fijacion Oral vol. 1 Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)As you know by now, Shakira is back with her first all-Spanish album since "Donde Estan Los Ladrones" (not counting MTV Unplugged) and it's terrific.
On first listen, you'll get carried away by her voice. It is unique, powerful and versatile. But we sorta knew that going in.
On subsequent spins, if you take away her vocals, this may be her most "American" sounding album yet. Perhaps that is due to the influence of executive producer Rick Rubin.
The opener, "En Tus Pupilas" is a soft-rock, emotional ballad that we fans will recognize and welcome instantly.
It is followed by "La Pared", which proves she has been listening to Coldplay, as the music to the chorus is a total homage to "Clocks." It's not subtle at all, and it sounds great.
Much has been made about the first single, "La Tortura" and it's reggaeton elements, but if you recall the album "Pies Descalzos" (an album given to me by my cousin when I was visiting my family in Barranquilla years ago), you'll know Shakira has been doing this sort of stuff for a long, long time. Actually, I think the majority of the song has a huge Police sound to it during the verses, slipping into the more obviously reggaeton-like mode during Sanz' chorus.
"Obtener Un Si" is the surprising stunner on the album. It's an exquisite, retro-pop tune with vintage ice-skating-rink organ, sweet string sections and lovely, delicate melodies. This really demonstrates that her range simply is limitless.
"Dia Especial" is a fairly generic midtempo pop-rocker, and the hubbub about "Escondite Ingles" being "punk" is laughable. It's not. It's an obvious nod to The B-52's (check out the cheesy organ), but it's more like the pogoing power pop of New Wave. It's multiple time changes recall, in a good way, Green Day's recent efforts, and I loved the thrashy, messy ending.
"No" is another one of those Shakira songs that build from a mostly acoustic, introspective piece into a widescreen, dramatic epic like "Tu" and "Inevitable". It's not quite up to those standards, but it works just fine.
Who knew she could be Kylie Minogue? She does just that, in her own style of course, on "Las De La Intuicion", down to the disco-pop sounds and whispered back-ups.
"Dia De Enero" is a gorgeous folk-rock song and "La Imprescindible" is a noisy, percussive, synthesizer-filled 80's-like song that still somehow manages to work.
The extra tracks are an acoustic "La Pared" and a remixed "La Tortura".
The single best thing about this album has to be her voice. What an instrument! She moves confidently across genres, maintaining her unique mannerisms but becoming so rich and full (Dia De Enero) or soft and cute (Obtener Un Si) depending on what it takes to best serve the song.
Each song here is well crafted, lovingly produced and performed.
This may not reach the dizzying heights of "Donde Estan Los Ladrones", but this one just might age better.
This is really good stuff...I cannot WAIT for Volume 2, which I understand is all new songs, all in English...should be interesting, no?

Click Here to see more reviews about: Fijacion Oral vol. 1

Fijación Oral, Vol. 1ShakiraLabel: Sony Release Date: 6/7/20051 En Tus Pupilas - 4:242 La Pared - 3:203 La Tortura - 3:354 Obtener un Sí - 3:215 Dia Especial - 4:256 Escondite Inglés - 3:107 No - 4:478 Las de La Intuición - 3:429 Dia de Enero - 2:5510 Lo Imprescindible - 3:5811 La Pared [Versión Acústica] - 2:4112 La Tortura [Shaketon Remix] - 3:12

Click here for more information about Fijacion Oral vol. 1