Disco de Ricky Martin: “Ricky Martin [Australia Bonus Tracks]”

I put off buying this cd for a long time. I hadn't heard very good things about it and I was getting so sick of "La Vida Loca". About a month ago when they started playing "Cup of Life" I almost gave in, but yet I still held back from buying this. Finally last week I heard "Shake Your Bon-Bon" and I finally decided it was time to see if this cd was worth the sticker price. I was not at all disappointed. The music is lively and fun for the most part but there are a few slower songs near the end that kinda bring down the cd's energy level. The Madonna duet song "Be Careful" was an interesting idea, but after a promising beginning it doesn't seem to know when to end. Stick to the faster cuts like "Spanish Eyes", "Shake Your Bon-Bon", "Love For a Day", "The Cup of Life", and "Maria" and you won't be sorry you bought this hugely popular jugernaut of pop culture.

I think this cd is incredible. It's not very often that I can listen to the same cd all the way through, over and over. From the sexy, passionate "Spanish Eyes" to fun, dancey "Shake Your Bon Bon" and even the inspirational "Private Emotion"; there is a different song for any mood I am in. The variety is great and so are the actual songs.

My favorite until this CD was Au Medio Vevir, but Ricky proves he's got more than just a sweet romantic voice on this collection of fast dance tracks and of course the Get Up and Shake Your Booty "Livin La Vida Loca." Ricky takes Latin music into the mainstream like Gloria Estefan and Selena did, and the results are stunning. Enjoy!

Granted, all of the songs aren't great, but very few performers can do that. After watching his TV special and then listening to the CD, watching him definitely adds to the listening pleasure. Ricky has a nice voice, but it's not great or distinctive, but he is beautiful to look at. I liked the Spanish versions of the songs best. The ballads were okay, but that is not his forte. I'm glad I bought the CD and plan to buy more of his work.

Several of Ricky's songs are pretty good actually, as pure dance music that is - e.g. the way-underrated Cup of Life, Maria, and the over-hyped Livin' La Vida Loca (I would discount Shake Your Bon Bon though since it is probably the most ridiculous song with the silliest lyrics and most hideous melody I've heard in quite a while). But, sorry, those are pretty much all there is in this CD. (O, the duet with Madonna is kind of interesting too.)