Laundry Service - Shakira

You know you're destined to hit it big, or at least medium-sized, when you decide to go by your first name only in showbiz - look at Cher, look at Madonna and Brandy and Jewel, even Dido to some extent. Look to the left, and you will see Shakira, the latest in not only the first-name fad (she decided to shed the other ¾ for her career) but the Latin music explosion as well. (okay, so it's basically subsided now, but humor me here, I came in late). A hip-shaking, dyed-blonde Colombian bombshell with a song in her heart, a spasm in her pelvis, and a cat lodged firmly in her throat, if her voice is any judge - not that her voice is that bad, far from it. ...  Read the complete review

After four successful Spanish language albums, including an MTV Unplugged session, had made Shakira one of the best known and highest selling artists in Latin America, as well as a three time Latin Grammy Award winner, she decided it was time to try and break into the English speaking musical market. This resulted in a teaming up with Emilio Estefan who, with his wife Gloria and their band the Miami Sound Machine, were one of the first Latin artists to cross over into the English speaking market with a string of 1980s pop hits. Shakira’s intention was never to follow that kind of sound, however. She has previously listed artists as diverse as The Cure, ...  Read the complete review

I was quite a fan of Shakira after Whenever, Wherever and pretty much bought this album on the strength of that song. Back in my teenage years, it was quite common for me to do this, whereas now I will have to already know that I will like at least three or four tracks from an album before I can be convinced to part with my money. Whenever, Wherever is definitely one of the best tracks on this album, but that's not to say that I don't like the others. My copy was bought from CD Wow I think, and is actually an import from Holland but the tracklisting seems to be the same as the UK release. ***Objection (Tango)*** This track sounds very Latin in terms of ...  Read the complete review

Yes, Shakira?s debut album may be some months old now, but it is still one of the successes of the last two years, and still selling well. Proof of this is the fact that theediscerning?s copy went within hours on amazon?s marketplace. So at risk of losing mucho street cred by posting this op, he may as well reveal what he was passing on so rapidly. Well, the first three tracks are the hugely successful singles, and if someone expects much detail, then someone is reading an op about a subject of which they know nothing. Of the three, theed? much prefers Objection (Tango), the thumpingly good Latino-tinged stompalong with the accordion-style backing. It is ...  Read the complete review

Dónde Están Los Ladrones? (Where are the Thieves?) Today I sat on my balcony in the sun singing along with her. The power and feeling was there on my balcony in the sun. I felt her next to me, both feeling rejected and angry. I felt her closer to me on my balcony without her being present than she ever could have given me during the performance she gave some days ago. Shakira?s soul lies in her music. Her power and presence lies there. When her music does not come across during her performance, nothing of hers can, except for making you horny. Shakira was sexy and sensual, and made everyone at that moment want her?But not for the right reasons. She ...  Read the complete review