|
Ricky Martin Album: “Ricky Martin [Australia Limited Edition]”
| Album Information : |
|---|
| Title: |
Ricky Martin [Australia Limited Edition] |
|
|
|
Release Date:1999-08-24
|
|
Type:Unknown
|
|
Genre:Latin, Pop, Pop Latino
|
|
Label:
|
|
Explicit Lyrics:Yes
|
|
UPC:5099749608924
|
Review - :
It was just a matter of time before {$Ricky Martin} broke into the {\pop} mainstream. By the end of the '90s, he was no longer the kid that used to be in {$Menudo} or the {#General Hospital} heartthrob -- he was a genuine star, ready to bust out of the {\Latin pop} ghetto. His dynamic performance at the 1999 Grammys stole the show, announcing his presence to middle America -- and conveniently paving the way for the May release of {^Ricky Martin}, his second eponymous album but first English-language record. Like most records that are crafted to sell an artist to a larger audience -- think {$Celine Dion}'s {^Falling Into You} -- {^Ricky Martin} is a big, bold album with something to please everyone, from his longtime {\Latin} fans to housewives with a weakness for dramatic {\ballads}. Reportedly two years in the making, the album never makes a wrong move, balancing infectious {\dance-pop} with immaculately crafted power {\ballads}, mid-tempo {\pop}, straight-ahead rockers, and, of course, the inevitable cameos: {$Madonna} on {&"Be Careful (Cuidado con Mi Corazón)"} and {$Meja} on {&"Private Emotion."} Since each track has been so carefully constructed to stand on its own (most likely as a single), the album plays as a series of moments, some more thrilling than others. Although there is inarguably some filler cluttering the record -- and although the production sounds weirdly dated, with tracks like {&"I Count the Minutes"} and {&"She's All I Ever Had"} sounding for all the world as if they were cut in 1985 -- most of the moments work and the opening quartet ({&"Livin' la Vida Loca,"} {&"Spanish Eyes,"} {&"She's All I Ever Had,"} and the irresistibly stupid {&"Shake Your Bon-Bon"}) is positively intoxicating. If the rest of the album doesn't live up to the opening salvo, {$Martin} does carry the day with his fine voice and undeniable charisma -- even when the songs aren't distinctive, he brings them alive. And that's the sign of a true star. [The Australian edition features {&"Diosa del Carnaval"} and {&"I'm on My Way"} in place of {&"Cup of Life"} and {&"María."}] ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine, All Music Guide
|
|
![Ricky Martin Album: “Ricky Martin [Australia Limited Edition]”](https://www.popmusicarea.com/covers_yaR/ricky-martin/1999_170_170_Ricky%2520Martin%2520%255BAustralia%2520Limited%2520Edition%255D.jpg "Ricky Martin Album: “Ricky Martin [Australia Limited Edition]”")