International music reviews

This was the first release Alanis made after her record-smashing album "Jagged Little Pill" sold so many copies that one Australian household in six owned a copy.

However, despite being seen as belonging to the singer/songwriter tradition, "Jagged Little Pill" betrayed such traditionas all through, sounding much more like the pseudo-macho posturers Australians - deprived of arty, feminine singer/songwriters by the unsuitable environment (sparse population, infertile soils, erratic rainfall) - have always lapped up insanely. The pompous production and bland anger of "Pill" was rooted in the work of Suzi Quatro or Pat Benatar - both tremendously more popular in Australia than in the US or Europe.

"Thank You" is a real attempt to show Morissette as a singer/songwriter, and is an advance on the pompous noise of "Jagged Little Pill" that thoroughly annoyed me in Year 12 back in 1995. The song is held together by a piano line and Alanis' voice is nothing like so annoying. Nonetheless, the song has far too little feeling to suggest Alanis has absorbed the knowledge of such soul sisters as Laura Nyro or Liz Fraser or folksingers like Sandy Denny or Maddy Prior or June Tabor.

The chorus, moreover, is by any standards tepid and airy in a bad kind of way, as if Alanis wants to absorb the fakery so often seen in Eastern religions as an escape from her Catholic background. The guitar and bass are placed so far back in the production as to give the impression the the arrangers have little idea what is required to convey the song's message.

An improvement, yes, but nowhere near enough to take her seriously.

It's early 1997, your debut album has sold more than 30 million copies worldwide, you're an overnight sensation, a multi-Grammy award winning household name and expectations for a follow-up album have never been as high. So what do you do? Well, in the case of Alanis Morissette you pack your bags and take yourself off to India to seek out spiritual enlightenment - to 'find yourself' and come back refreshed. Yes, since that infamous and now legendary debut album "Jagged Little Pill" spoke the truth for a generation and spawned a million angst-ridden vixens, Alanis had to make an album that maintained her success and kept her alive in the public subconscious, didn't she? Well, maybe some people thought so, but she certainly didn't. To make an album as well-accepted on a social scale as Jagged Little Pill was going to be impossible, so Alanis laid down the law and, in the fall of 1998, unveiled "Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie" to the world. Typically, critics adored it but the public failed to agree. Yeah, so the album went to No.1 all over the world, but in the end only sold around 8 million copies worldwide. What is considered her most tragic album by the public is actually her greatest masterpiece by the diehard fans. I for one am in agreement of this album's genius.

The first single to be taken from the album was "Thank U." The song charted at No.5 in the UK in October 1998 and was a huge hit around the world. The confrontational lyrics were typical Morissette, but the light-hearted and somewhat forgiving lyrical matter was new. The anger that dominated her debut was traded in for relaxation and reflection on her sophomore. The video to the single featured a naked Alanis in one of the greatest music videos ever.

Thank U starts off with a simple and sparkling piano intro before Alanis starts singing, "How 'bout getting off of these antibiotics? How 'bout stopping eating when I'm full up? How 'bout them transparent dangling carrots? How 'bout that ever elusive kudo?" The lyrics here are really weird, but definitely make sense if you peek under the curtain of what Alanis is trying to say. She then glides into the chorus, "Thank you India, thank you terror, thank you disillusionment, thank you frailty, thank you consequence, thank you, thank you silence." Alanis then moves into the second verse, "How 'bout me not blaming you for everything? How 'bout me enjoying a moment for once? How 'bout how good it feels to finally forgive you? How 'bout grieving it all one at a time?" She then sings the chorus once more, before sliding into the best part of the song. She sings the spectacular bridge, "The moment I let go of it was the moment I got more than I could handle. The moment I jumped off of it was the moment I touched down." The song ducks down somewhat as she sings, "How 'bout no longer being masochistic? How 'bout remembering your divinity? How 'bout unabashedly bawling your eyes out? How 'bout not equating death with stopping?" Alanis then sings the chorus again and again before wailing the song out with her traditional yelp. The song slowly dies down and so ends another masterpiece from Alanis!

Thank U is perhaps Alanis Morissette's second most-loved song ever after the anthemic "Ironic" for the Jagged Little Pill album. The lyrics on this single are superb, and they really provoke an exploration of Alanis mind. We get to see what's going on inside her brain, like most of the songs on Supposed Former Infatuation Junkie. Pick a copy of this up today! Alanis rules, and you know it!

the second song on this single is excellent! get it! the second song is worth it.

This cd was just ok, it has some amazing songs like "Fruta Fresca" but i've he has better cds.

Like many Colombians, I've known about Carlos Vives from his days of Clasicos de la Provincia in 1993. Vives takes provincial music from Colombia (vallenato and cumbia, among numerous others) and infuses them with a spirituality and depth that makes the music all the more worthy. El Amore De Mi Tierra is no different. Vives pulls from various fountains of Colombian music and turns them into flowing, rhythmic world music that is accessable to all peoples. The collection here is very good. While "Fruta Fresca" is the track that most people are familiar with, "La Piragua" is definately the best track on the album. An update of a classic Colombian cumbia song, Vives's take on "La Piragua" turns the song into a lush fable full of earthy melodies and a spirit of the Amazon without forskaing the song's musical roots. For those who are new to Carlos Vives, this album is a great place to start.

I first heard this record when I was in Colombia about 3 years ago and have subsequently bought the CD 6 times. Every visitor from the US or UK who hears it asks me about it and I usually end up giving it away.
Knowing Spanish will help you enjoy this more - but even without it, the rythm of the music feeds into you.
I own several of CVivas's CDs, but keep coming back to this one.

It was 1996 and Jose Manuel Aguilera, Mexican guitar virtuoso formed `La Barranca', band in which he was accompanied by Federico Fong and Alfonso Andre. They release their first album "El fuego de la noche" and it is acclaimed as one the best rock albums ever.

Same year, Saul Hernandez dismembers `Caifanes' apparently due to a legal dispute with Alejandro Markovich over the use of the name of the band. Saul decides to create a new band called `Jaguares', but now he is more cautious and registers the name for himself only. So, he invites Jose Manuel Aguilera (Sangre Azteca), Federico Fong and Alfonso Andre (Caifanes) to partake as guests on his first `Jaguares' album. The result? The best album `Jaguares' will ever have.

The lyrics are dark and obscure (if you don't believe me listen to `El equilibrio pt 1 and 2') as they have always been from Saul Hernandez, but what really makes this album a pleasant experience is the musical contribution of his guests (Saul was bold enough to credit himself alone as `Jaguares' in the booklet, he also clarifies that the musicians are only guests)

The guitar of Jose Manuel Aguilera will captivate your attention on every track of this album, actually what I consider the best two songs of the album are the contributions of Aguilera to it: `Clavame major los dientes' and `Solo somos sue�os' with beautiful and metaphorical lyrics. The contribution of Andre is impressive as it has always been since the days of Caifanes, and Federico Fong is just unbelievable.

Unfortunately the weak point of the album is the lead, the voice of Saul Hernandez suffers from the results of the operation he had, he had apparently this tumor that had to be extirpated and affected his voice. It would have been nice if he had given Jose Manuel Aguilera the opportunity to sing his own themes, but in those day (even nowadays) Saul was in his pose of `rock star' and wanted to be the point of attention of the band, a mistake that has cost his band to be suffering constant changes in their lining.

Highlights of the albums are `Dime jaguar', `A donde vamos a ir' and `Nunca te doblaras'

Overall, a very good album thanks to the contributions of the guests, but definitely nothing compared to `El fuego de la noche', album in which Aguilera, Fong and Andre had the freedom to experiment and do what they wanted and not what a lead with delirious of grandeur instructed.

Primer album de Jaguares. Saul Hernandez es acompa�ado en este disco por Jose Manuel Aguilera (Sangre Azteca), Federico Fong (Kenny y los Electricos) y Alfonso Andre (Caifanes), musicos de LA BARRANCA.

Las canciones hablan de cierta depresion por parte de Hernandez, es un disco muy oscuro, prueba de ello son canciones como "Voy a Volar" y "Huracan".

La aportacion de Aguilera en "Clavame Mejor los Dientes" y "Solo Somos Sue�os" es algo excelente.

Canciones recomendadas: Detras de los cerros, Nunca te doblaras, Clavame Mejor los dientes, Adonde Vamos A Ir.

El primer album de los Jaguares y discutiblemente el mejor. Aqui se encuentra la primera de muchas formaciones de los miembros, con Jose Manuel Aguila (guitarra), Alfonso Andre (bateria), Federico Fong (bajo), y Saul Hernandez (guitarra y voz). Tal persona puede decir que en este disco se encuentran las canciones mas oscuras de los Jaguares. "Dime Jaguar", "El Milagro", "Solo Somos Suenos" y muchas mas resonan la oscuridad y la mistica de Saul. Este disco merece mas de cinco estrellas. Y otra nota...Yo creo que Saul es un cantante mucho MAS mejor que Jose Manuel Aguila, y no se porque unos prefieren oir a Aguila cantar en "El Equilibrio".

I bought this for my dad. He likes it. Donny Hathaway is soo amazing. The sound quality is good too.

After a few smooth and tantalizing introductory bars to set the stage, Hathaway lets the sound decay, and you can hear a female voice way back in the audience say with absolute certainty, "All right, this is it." She is so absolutely correct. The baseline gets it moving and bam, you are into 12:18 of "The Ghetto," as thoroughly satisfying a soul/funk jam as you will ever find anywhere, complete with enthusiastic audience participation. If you can sit still through this, you might want to try breathing against a mirror and checking for condensation to make sure you're still alive.

Donnie Hathaway - Live - is one of those really rare in-person performance CDs where everything comes together, you don't just get the music, you get the sweat, the movement, the cachunk, the entire spectrum of emotion. Hathaway was not a virtuoso singer, but it would be hard to find another performer able to deliver more raw sincerity. His electric piano playing is really stellar here, especially on Hey Girl, where he weaves a hypnotic trance. Without exception, the band is loose and relaxed, completely aligned with each other and Hathaway's objectives.

The odd thing about this CD is that, despite his primary renown as a songwriter, only two of the tracks are his. However, like other true originals, he is able to take covers and bend them to his will. Hathaway takes Marvin Gaye's warhorse, What's Going On, and breathes new life into it, his rendition of John Lennon's beautiful Jealous Guy is equally compelling. It is astounding to realize that Hathaway was only 33 when he died, today he is more influential than ever. Hearing him sing "This Christmas" is one of the few compensations of being stuck roaming a mall in December.

Hathaway was, and is, the real thing. While his celebrated duets with Roberta Flack are sweet, polished, and reliably popular, if you want to experience the raw talent and heart that make him undeniably great, "This is it."

He's a Genius. He can do it all. This singer, songwriter, arranger, composer, conductor, producer, instrumentalist, innovator, etc. can do 1 strong lick and not mess up. I mean he has a remarkable, remarkable, well-known voice. It's sad that he left us too quick [in 1979], 'cuz he was getting into the Mainstream section a bit like somewhat from Wes Montgomery, Selena, Grover Washington, Aaliyah, all'a them. We know we're feelin his version of the Marvin Gaye classic "What's Going On" (I wish I coulda played that). First and foremost, this album doesn't have a horn section or strings or a live vocal group IMHO, it's just him and his band doing a fine-done job. It's glad they're kickin it!, you know I mean.

It once takes me back where I got introduced into real music when I was growing up. It sure takes me back. My dad was getting into this back in the day. Lemme tell ya, that boy can blow your mind out when he's performing. Also he's very talented on the keys, he's a great musician, and very strong and blessed which is a Gift from Heaven.

In addition to this album, other songs notable are off the chain! (i.e. The Ghetto, Lil' Ghetto Boy, You've Got a Friend, Everything is Everything, etc.) Every song in here is all the way thru. Love it to death. This completely to add unto your Music Must or Collection I say.

Guarantee You Wouldn't be DISSAPPOINTED.

Ruben Blades "Mundo" is a tasty cd. I compare Ruben Blades to Jet Li in that both are professionals in their craft and they are both at the top of their game. True, some of the pure salsa is gone at moments during this beatiful album, but not really. His band are excellent musicians and there are moments when priceless grooves are achieved.
Ruben Blades trascends with this album your average performer. His lyrics are universal in their theme and if there is one message to be had is this: We are all the Human Race, where music is concerned the universality of the human spirit is all that matters. Is the kind of album that at first you might be mildly dissapointed and critical. But once you take the tour again these jewels start shinning and I decided Ruben Blades is far too talented to put out a bad CD and that is so good to know. He belongs in that special group of artists that always satisfy the listener, always deliver quality. There, 4.5 stars for "Mundo" and 5 stars for the man himself. Long Live Ruben Blades!!

No es un tipico disco de salsa del Nueva York de los 70 y ello parece incomodar a algunos puristas, ya que al parecer el senor Blades cometio el pecado de romper las etiquetas y se ha atrevido a explorar mas alla de un solo genero. El disco se llama MUNDO, y de entrada la cosa no podria estar mas clara. Con este disco, Blades ha demostrado que no solo es un excelente salsero, sino un gran musico y compositor.

Si les gusta la salsa dura, pero de la misma manera disfrutan de un buen tango de Susana Rinaldi, del flamenco del Camaron, del samba de Beth Carvalho o Martinho da Vila y de otros generos que la mal etiquetada "world music" nos ofrece, entonces este disco les encantara. Pero si la salsa dura, el reggaeton y la salsa de formula que se baila en Miami es mas lo suyo, entonces mantenganse alejados de este disco, ya que no lo van a disfrutar.

I THINK THAT THIS IS A GREAT SINGER. I'M FAN OF RUBEN AND I HAVE A PROFESSIONAL ORIGINAL DRAWING OF HIM ON EBAY TO SELL. SERCH ON EBAY BY RUBEN BLADES.

Todavía recuerdo la primera vez que escuche la versión MTV de la Ciudad de La Furia; fue en el Papas and Beer de Ensenada, Baja California. Era un domingo y mi esposa y yo disfrutábamos de una banda local que interpretaba éxitos del Rock en Español. En el momento que el grupo tomo un descanso mi esposa se retiro para ir al tocador, al tiempo de acercar mi cerveza a la boca (una sabrosa y helada Tecate) inicio el acorde de "En la Ciudad de la Furia". Las guitarras me transportaron, el ritmo era tan poderoso y pausado, era increíble, indescriptible como se apodero la rola de mi. Al final de la rola, inmediatamente me dirigí con el DJ para preguntarle en que disco venía esa canción. Esa misma noche ordene el disco en línea. ¡Que titulo mas apropiado tiene el disco! "Confort y Música para Volar" Esa noche en el Papas volé confortablemente con Soda Stereo... Después del Nervio del Volcán de Caifanes, en mi opinión, este es el mejor disco de rock en Español.

This MTV unplugged album represents musical masterpiece from one of the best Spanish language rock groups of the past twenty years. The Argentinian based rock group Soda Stereo's music is rhythmic, jazzy, hauntingly beautiful, and ultimately different than most of what we hear on the English language pop/rock/jazz stations. This particular live album is one of the better live rock albums I have ever heard. The combination of acoustic and electric guitars along with many other instruments, sounds, and special effects provide an exotic musical landscape of jazz and rock tunes that will haunt your musical imagination forever. I was introduced to this band's music years ago while in Mexico when I entered my Spanish pop/rock music phase. I have listened to so many thousands of songs and groups in my lifetime including all genres from classic rock, progressive rock, pop, new wave, new age, R&B, classical orchestral, renaissance, Irish folk, hard rock, heavy metal, Spanish pop/rock/jazz, rap (yes even rap), hip-hop, club dance, etc. etc. etc. I have heard and listened to it all. You might be familiar with Spanish language rock groups such as Mana. This music is similar but this group is more jazzy, more experimental, and more raw. I had collected at least thirty Spanish language pop/rock albums during the late 1990s and this was one of my favorites. The songs on this album and the performances are absolutely incredible and they transcend language and time the way many great English language rock albums by groups such as Led Zeppelin, The Who, and Pink Floyd have through the years. From the echoing electric jazz guitar of the opening song "En la Ciudad de La Furia", to the Latin pop rhythm and beat of "Entre Canibales", and the progressive and Pink Floyd-ish "Sonoman" and "Planeador" I promise you that this rock album is unlike anything you have ever experienced. Unfortunately after leaving a two decade legacy of unforgettable and timeless Spanish rock based musical work Soda Stereo's members disbanded in 1997. If you are a musical enthusiast who is not afraid to venture out and explore listening to many different kinds of music and you enjoy progressive rock and jazz then this album by Soda Stereo is an absolute must have since it represents some of the most amazing music I have ever heard coming from one of the best and most influential Spanish language rock groups of the 1980s and 1990s.

Superb stuff! A great selection of Soda Stereo songs, not even remotely unplugged and who would want it to be?? Ciudad de la furia is incredible and its worth buying for this version alone.

Simply beautiful, you can listen to it in replay CD for hours... As the cd cover shows it's as loopable as you heart beating. ;) Way ahead for his time, Soda Stereo showed why they still are one of the best Rock and Roll bands in the world. If you liked U2's POP upbeating style, this is for you. Thanks God for the spinning. Gira el mundo. Gira Dios.

This album was way ahead of its time (for 1992), and it still is... Words can't really describe what it's like to listen to this album. It's not an act, but more like an experience. In this album Soda Stereo sounds like The Cure, 'perfected'. And the cure happens to be one of my fave bands. They truly are as close to perfect as you can get. So of course you all know I'm recommending this. Even if you don't speak spanish I suggest you all go out and buy this album!!

yeah I can remember, south america wasnt ready for this record back in 1992, we were receiving the first smashing guitars from nirvana and pearl jam, and everybody thought "the louder the better" but not realizing what was it all about. Suddenly I heard "dynamo" and I have to admit that I wasnt ready either, it took me a couple of years til I heard it again, and I just knew it: gustavo and cia were at least 10 years ahead of everybody else!!. It sounds fresh, rumbling, punching (primavera 0), driving (secuencia inicial), organic at moments (claroscuro), filled with electronic gizmos and tricks, drumming loops, this is a very rewarding experience. Soda should have break up after this album came out, it was impossible to top this.
Highly recommended.

Una recopilacion de Soda Stereo siempre sera recomendable, aunque esta en especial no abarca la etapa final "Sueño Stereo"-"Unplugged" (si la hubieran incluido, le habria puesto las 5 estrellas). Para quienes conocen y gustan de la nostalgia Soda, pero no desean arruinarse comprando toda la discografia; tambien, para aquellos a quienes defraudo la etapa experimental del "Dynamo" en adelante (que, dicho sea aparte, es interesantisima).

Soda Stereo is one of the best spanish rock acts ever, and this CD compiles all of their greatest hits. It's a must for all Spanish rock fans, and for all fans in need of an introduction to this amazing music genre. I also recommend their MTV unplugged and Dynamo.

Escuchar este juego de compactos es tener en sus oidos toda la evolucion artistica y musical de Soda Stereo, desde sus muy pegajosas y "light" canciones iniciales hasta temas muy pop y con letras mas profundas y estudiadas. Todos las canciones valen la pena para tener ese recuerdo de tan excelente aporte musical de los ochentas: SODA STEREO!

He'a a humble and wonderful talent. This album is a wonderful addition to my collection.

I've been a big fan of Marc Anthony for years and this cd is how I first got a taste of his music. This is the type of cd that where you just have to listen to every track twice. You'll be up and dancing when you listen to the first song. You don't have to speak Spanish to listen this salsero sensacional!

Este disco de Marc Anthony es un tesoro musical. Si existiera una sala de fama para artistas de la salsa nominar�a a Marc Anthony sin lugar a dudas. No hay muchos cantantes que tengan el talento y capacidad para brindar m�sica que llega hasta el alma sin embargo Marc lo hace con tenura y sinceridad. Este disco cuenta con todos los requisitos. Tiene ritmo, es bailable, la letra de las canciones es muy sincera y Marc canta con todo el alma. Te adelanto que todas las canciones son excelentes y una vez que empieces a escuchar el disco entender�s lo que el resto de sus seguidores est�n sintiendo. La �nica cosa que te puedo decir es que si Marc sigue produciendo m�sica de esta calidad, la salsa ser� vista por todos en una nueva dimensi�n. El cd es una verdadera prueba de talento de alguien que naci� para cantar la salsa en un nivel diferente a los dem�s.

Hell of a CD. But if you think that Tres is their best, wait till you hear the newest one "LA PROSPERIDAD". It's awsome!! Fiel is the best !

En este CD vemos cuanto Fiel a la Vega ha evolucionado, desde el primero, "Salimos de Aqui" hasta Tres. En este CD vemos la adici�n de cuerdas ( viol�n y piano )junto con la famosa cr�tica que caracteriza. Ademas de que el arreglo de guitarras hace el balance perfecto con el resto de la orquesta. Fiel a la Vega Tres es una nueva y muy buena experiencia que vale la pena adquirir.

...If you guys love spanish rock, then this is a must have for any die-hard fan. The first 3 tracks are superb and most prefered on the disc. My fav? Elipsis de una fuga and Memorias en la plaza. Check out their 2nd CD titled "A Quien le puede interesar"
if you manage to find it...I think that this disc is their best work till date...