Disco de Shakira: “Fijacion Oral Vol. 1”

We have to admit that with a title like Fijacion Oral one expects to listen nothing but a bunch of loud beats and uncalled nonsense. But what a great surprise when, past the contagious notes of lead single "La tortura", fears disolve in front of a bouquet of melodies and emotions not exactly a trademark of the colombian singer's previous releases. It is true that we won't hear her singing about looking for a lover in her purse or in Botero's paintings (circa Pies Descalzos), but there is still a candid approach to the lyrics that has made her songs both appealing and puzzling. In Fijacion oral we come face to face with a Shakira that shares her passion and the sense of emptiness a love she has already experienced may bring once it's gone, as opossed to the longing for an unknown feeling that we tasted in the other two albums. It shows a more mature approach to life, love and music in general. The definite highlight is "La pared" (track that appears in two versions), with its grasping chorus and a performance so beautifully delivered that it can only be compared to the classic "Antologia". It is precisely in this harmonious voice that Fijacion oral finds its anchor, among a collection of rhythms that go from the poppy "Las de la intuicion" (the only song in this album to remind us of earlier times), to bossa nova ("Obtener un si"), to the perfect composition of "Dia especial", which she co-wrote and performed with latin legend Gustavo Ceratti, that otherwise would be a complete chaos.

Toward the end we face the flaw that she might as well skipped: "Lo imprescindible" sounds indeed quite innovative with the rapid switch of tempo, but fails to close an album that could arguably be Shakira's masterpiece.

Absolutely brethtaking moments and still a lot of fun, Fijacion oral is a delight not destines to please anyone but those who believed Shakira can go beyond mud crawling and hip shaking.

This CD is amazing! This CD it's the best Shakira album after Donde Estan Los Ladrones? but of course, it's not the typical Shakira album, this one is , as she said, her most echlectical album. The album stars with 'En tus pupilas' a beautiful ballad that stars with Shakira singing in frech, the guitars sound like Chriss Isaak's 'Wicked Game' or Shakira's 'Sombra De Ti' and in the chorus she resembles a little bit to Mexican singer/composer Julieta Venegas. The next one 'La Pared' a strong and electronic song that you can see it like the spanish version of Coldplay's "Clocks" but still it's completely different in lyrics and Shakira's singin. "La Tortura" seems to be out of place in this album. "Obtener Un Si" sounds like those songs from the early 50's and it's a great bossa nova beat. "Dia Especial" a good song and the first one Shakira doesn't wrote. The music is made by Shakira but the lyrics it's from the legend of spanish rock, Gustavo Cerati. "Escondite Ingles" the strongest song in the album, it's very charmed and punk. "No" a sad but great ballad with Cerati's accompaining her on the guitars and some vocals. This one wil be the next single out of Fijacion Oral. "Las De La Intuicion", this one is the pop song on the album, it has a brit eltectronic pop beat in it, and an incredible catchy chorus. "Dia De Enero" the song that Shakira wrote for his boyfriend Antonio De La Rua, Shakira sounds funny and girlish on this one, and the chorus it's full of romaticism and feeling. "Lo Imprescindible" it's very dark at the beginning, starting with Shakira's singing in German, then the song become lighter but still strong on the chorus. The acoustic version of "La Pared" seems to be better than the original one, it's very simple and Shakira's vocal are great. And last but not least, it's "La tortura" Shaketon remix, this one it's darker than the original, still great but not better than the original one. Shakira has done an excellent album, a more mature work, fresh and one that will be remembered very well for everyone.

This is an amazing and beautiful album. This is by far, Shakira's most mature work. The album has very diverse type of songs. There is La Tortura with reggaeton influences, the bossonova tune Obtener Un Si, the electronic La Pared with a beautiful acoustic version included as well, and the alt-rock song La Imprescindible. This album shows off Shakira's love of mixing styles to come up with unique songs all her own. As always, Shakira's beautiful and unusual lyrics can be found throughout the CD. I would highly reccomend this album for fans of Shakira's other works and for music fans in general.

Since her third album "Pies Delcalzos" i've been a true follower from her music, she have this powerful voice combined with her deep and lovely lyrics. When i heard the single "La tortura" i said to myself "this a great sound! it's powerful, it's catchy, it's tropical sound but at the same time is rock!!!" and as always i was expecting a great CD from Shakira, but now when i have the oportunity of listen the whole album i will assure to everybody that this is probably her best album to the date. Song by song this album takes you from sadly-deep melodies to energetic fun songs... Its an adventure through a lot of new and old rythms.

"La pared"... wow... this song!... both vesions are plain perfect, its hard to choose one, the background of the electronic version reminds me in some parts to the electrosound of new order and depeche mode but the one with the piano is just marvelous, its a deep-felt version of the song. She tried to explore a lot of rythms in this album, "Obtener un si" have a relaxing bossa-nova sound, "Dia de Enero" reminds me a great spanish band from the nineties named Cristina y Los Subterraneos, she have a very sweet-tone voice in this romantic song. Another song that caught my attention is "Escondite Ingles", about the popular kids game "Hide and Seek", a very catchy and fun song probably influenced by Blondie or the roots of No Doubt. Two songs she decided to share the credits with co-producer of the album and probably one of the biggest latin rock star Gustavo Cerati, vocalist of Soda Stereo... "No" is a slow rock song with Gustavo backing the chorus and in charge of the Guitar and "Dia Especial" is more a pop song with a very marked Cerati-Soda style. The other three songs are good and have a lot from her "Pies Descalzos" and "Donde estan los ladrones" albums.

This is a fresh new album with a shakira already recognized worldwide for her supercommercial album "Laundry service" and trying to bet on her music and not the publicity.

After being a little hesistant about buying this cd (a lot of people lot negative reviews about it), I'm glad I did. It doesn't sound like any of her previous works, but it still mesmerizes. I love almost all of the songs. The ones she did with Gustavo Cerrati are great tunes. I especially love "Las de la Intuición", "Lo imprescindible", "No", "La Pared", "Dia Especial" and "En tus pupilas". If I don't give it a five star, is because she could have included more songs (not two remixes, although they're good) and the song "Obtener un Si" doesn't quite do it for me. If you like Shakira, I recommend to buy this cd. If you're waiting for another "Pies Descalzos", "Donde están los ladrones?" or, specially, "Laundry Service", you will be dissapointed.