And the result is…disappointment. Unfortunately, too much bleach was added to this load of laundry. Lacking direction and overproduced, the new Shakira album is more of a thwarted attempt than a triumph.
A lot is riding on this release given that she was supposed to single-handedly revive interest in the "Latino Explosion" of a few years ago that was less Latino and more pop with a few Spanish words. Unfortunately she seems to have been sucked into the industry machine to crank out product now and hope for artistry later, quite unfortunate for someone who's shown the ability to be aggressive within Latin American pop-rock. Newly blonde, from the Latin Grammy Awards last year, a Pepsi commercial, an ad for blue jeans, to a sexy video for "Whenever, wherever", the media blitz and cross marketing are on!
I've compared to her a Latina Alanis Morisette but I take that back with this album. The element of spontaneity is lacking and maybe it's unrealistic to expect someone new to English to be perfect. However, maybe less production would have given this album a rawer edge that resonates with fans. Even when Glen Ballard steps in on "The One", it's sappy (though not as bad as Miss Aguilera is). Thumbs down on "Underneath your clothes", though it wouldn't be too bad if the refrain and inexplicable trumpets were eliminated.
The first single "Whenever, wherever" sounds good but a few of the lines sound a bit awkward. The same goes for "Eyes Like Yours", the English version of "Ojos Así" which lacks fluidity. Shakira can't be blamed for that one since Gloria Estefan translated it. "Rules" is simply awful and the horn arrangements are beyond redemption. The wretched disco sounds of "Ready For The Good Times" need no description, while "Poem to a horse", a song about drug addiction, could have been good if it weren't for the (you guessed it!) trumpets.
Is it all bad? Nope. Not surprisingly, the best tracks are en español, like the infectious "Suerte" and "Te Aviso, Te Anuncio" a song that somehow combines elements of No Doubt's "Ex-Girlfriend" and tango. The strongest track in English is "Fool", featuring strong vocals and lyrics and no horns!
At the end of the day, Shakira is talented enough to command attention wherever, whenever that sophomore English effort comes out.
Shakira Laundry Service
