Review: Juanes
05/29/2002
By Mario Tarradell / The Dallas Morning News
Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes could have set himself up for grand
failure. He was Latin music's golden boy of 2001, basking in the belated
but well-deserved critical praise for 2000's Fijate Bien, his
defining debut album.
He snagged seven Latin Grammy nominations, eventually winning three of
them, including the coveted best new artist prize. He even performed for
enthusiastic crowds last year as part of Latin alternative Watcha Tour.
So the arrival of Un Dia Normal is anticipated. But Juanes played
it smart. He bypassed the hype, the expectations and just made quality
music. Normal is not as immediately engulfing as his first
effort. Fijate had a sense of urgency, intensity; it had the
stamp of a talented, expressive newcomer itching to get a few things off
his chest. Its lyrical strength – Juanes was singing about his war-torn
country, the descent of humanity and thoughts of mortality and eternity
– combined with a sizzling hodgepodge of rock, salsa, cumbia and
vallenato (Colombia's folk music) was electrifying.
Un Dia Normal is the flip side of Fijate Bien. Juanes, who
writes personal songs, sounds a little happier this time. He's writing
about matters of the heart now. The guy had a really good year. You
can't blame him for seeming sunnier. Then, Normal is filled with
textured pop songs instead of the rocking material on Fijate.
A-
Un Dia Normal (Universal Music Latino) In stores now
|
|
But don't misunderstand the styling of his new repertoire. Juanes
remains miles removed from the goopy, overproduced and melodramatic
Latin pop fare that fills the airwaves. His brand of Latin pop revels in
infectious, earthy rhythms, pure, beautiful melodies and spacious
arrangements that let the tunes breathe.
Which means Un Dia Normal is an exceptional piece of work indeed.
The second track, "Es Por Ti," is like a luxurious bubble bath you never
want to leave. With its sinewy melody and sing-along chorus, not to
mention the slinky yet romantic verses, the song is a pure pop gem.
On "La Historia de Juan" he wraps an essentially folk core in light
percussion, regal strings and hints of guitar and keyboards as he sings
about a homeless boy's struggle to survive. The CD's first single, the
opening "A Dios le Pido," merges reggae with cumbia and salsa to create
a laid-back nugget with passionate lyrics about peace and God and family.
His touted duet with alt-pop songstress Nelly Furtado, "Fotografia," is
an unabashed love song. But there's a bittersweet tinge to the tune and
a reggae lilt. It's not your everyday paean to amor. Thankfully, Juanes
doesn't write anything that smacks of ordinariness.
Email
mtarradell@dallasnews.com
