Shakira Album: “Donde Estan los Ladrones?”

These frequent comparisons between Shakira and Alanis Morissette are tenuous at best and off base at worst. Sure the two share similar voice inflections, but while Alanis beats her listeners over the head with the same tired "I hate all men" anti-social psychosis ad nauseum, Shakira sings from the entire emotional spectrum, and whether her listeners want to get up and dance to such infectious numbers as "Ciega, Sordomuda," calmly reflect over "Tu," or travel through time to distant lands in "Ojos Asi," there is enough going on in "Donde Estan Los Ladrones" to make for a complete, satisfying and entertaining musical experience.

(Plus, Shakira is incredibly beautiful! )

But before you write off another pretty face (as you should with Jennifer Lopez, LeAnn Rimes, Britney Spears and their ilk, who have never written or produced a piece of music, let alone sing well or even play a musical instrument), keep in mind that Shakira writes or co-writes all of her songs, plays a guitar and even helps produce her work (special kudos to executive producer Emilio Estefan for harnessing Shakira's raw energy and power without turning "Donde Estan ... " into just another sugar-sweet slab of pop pap a la Miami Sound Machine).

Pay careful listen to "Si Te Vas," "No Creo," and "Donde Estan Los Ladrones," and especially "Inevitable," "Octavio Dia" and "Ojos Asi." Both lyrics and music offer a rainbow of styles, moods and intensities. If you don't understand Spanish, so what? There's more than enough in the music to enlighten you.

Sure, this "gringo" (with a special No Thanks to "Miami FL" 9/22/99) knows enough Spanish to last into the next millennium, but what separates music of this caliber is that it transcends language, borders and continents. Artists like Shakira are better than the Ricky Martins and Jennifer Lopezes that comprise today's "Latin Explosion." Shakira's music stands tall amongst the best of today's pop (not there's much out there) and deserves a listen, whatever your language.

But for those who need that Alanis comparison, fine. Perhaps we should call Ms. Morissette the North American Shakira.

Shakira's poetic voice and lyrics melt your heart and make you fall deeply in love with her mind. Beside's the fact that she is very beautiful you can't help but stay still and just absorb her words as she speaks...it can bring tears to your eyes no matter how many times you've heard a particular song. "Donde..." is a masterpiece which can be appreciated by all. It brings the feel of a hispanic culture and shows that love, no matter if you think it's good or bad, is the most important thing in the world. "sombra de ti" is one of my favorites..but that changes everytime I hear the album. EVERY song is great and that would not be an exageration. Pick up the CD, let it run completely..3 or 4 times..and let your soul wander, it's the best thing you can do. That's what makes this album one of the greatest I've ever heard.

I recently started listening to more Shakira music after really enjoying "Hips Don't Lie" w/ Wyclef on the radio. After reading about her, I learned that many people preferred Shakira's older albums for their depth and meaning - and also because she put alot of effort herself into the lyrics and music. After listening to both Pies Descalzos and Donde Estan Los Ladrones, I have to agree. Unfortunately I'm not a fluent spanish speaker, but the translations I've come across for her songs are simply amazing. Since this is a review of the latter album, I'll describe some of the songs here:

1) Ciega, Sordomuda (Blind, Deaf and Dumb) - Very catchy song with a Mariachi sound. Seems to be about the effect that the person she loves has on her.

2) Si Te Vas (If You Go) - Great song that starts out slow and turns into a harder rock song. About what she'd do if her man betrayed her.

3) Moscas en la Casa (Flies in the House) - A slower sad song about lost love.

4) No Creo (I Don't Believe) - I have to say that I don't understand some of the criticisms I've read about this song. Maybe these people need to read the lyrics to realize how amazing this song is. I love the sound too, and her voice breaks a bit in it (which I'm sure she does on purpose for effect). This song is about her devotion to the person she loves, and literally translated she sings about how she doesn't believe in anything else but his smile and his kisses etc. This is a very poetic and beautiful song, and upbeat and happy too - I just love listening to it. This is my favorite song on the album.

5) Inevitable - rock ballad, sad song about how she'll inevitably keep loving a person after he leaves.

6) Octavo Dia (The Eighth Day) - very good song - starts out slower and speeds up. About how God created the world, went on vacation, and returns to find it a mess.

7) Que Vuelvas (I Want You Back) - As others have said, this song sounds more like Estoy Aqui from Pies Descalzos. Good song but I prefer Estoy Aqui.

8) Tu (You) - really nice love song, one of the slower songs on the album.

9) Donde Estan Los Ladrons (Where Are The Thieves?) - Good rock song where she uses the harmonica too. This song is about how there are "thieves" everywhere - in artists, in politicians, etc.

10) Sombra De Ti (Shadow of You) - I think someone compared the guitars in this song to the ones in Chris Isaak's "Wicked Game", and I agree. This is a hypnotic sounding love song.

11) Ojos Asi (Eyes Like Yours) - I've heard this song out alot in clubs etc. It's a really catchy Arabic sounding song; great dance music. There is an English version of this song on her Laundry Service album, but I'm not sure how accurate the translation is. I think in general Shakira just sounds better singing spanish songs though, with some exceptions like Hips Don't Lie.

12) Estoy Aqui (I'm Here) - Some versions of this album have this song from Pies Descalzos on it. This is one of her popular hits and it's great.

Overall, I'm blown away by this whole album. I strongly suggest people who are interested in Shakira to get both this album and Pies Descalzos. (I've also heard that the MTV Unplugged album is fantastic too.) Her live music that I've seen on the web is simply amazing. I can't wait to see her on her tour this year!

Deep lyrics, catchy beats and a sound extremely pure and sincere: this fantastic and unique combination becomes "Donde Están Los Ladrones?" (1998) a exceptional 90's latin album!

Shakira show her best in rock songs like "Octavo Día" (Eighth Day), "Si Te Vas" (If You Go), "Inevitable" and "Donde Están Los Ladrones?" (Where're the Thieves?). There is a lot of her true soul in these ones.

The ballads are not different: "Sombra de Tí" (Shadow of You), "Tu" (You) and "Moscas En La Casa" (Flies In the Home) shoot a rush of blood to our heads.

Definitely, this is an essential cd for all people that keep sensitive in a world full of brutality.

It's a big pity that this incredible Shakira was lost in "Laundry Service" (2001).

I got this album after I bought Oral Fixation Vol.2 and this is a BEAUTIFUl album with majestic and wonderfully written songs that make you want to dance along. Her songs are beautifully written and touch you deep in the heart. Buy this album if you're considering it!!!