Disco de Ricky Martin: “Sound Loaded”

I'm a huge fan of Ricky Martin and have seen him twice now in concert. His is the kind of fun, hot, get-up-and-move music that's been missing (in my opinion) in recent years. His English debut, Ricky Martin, has been played so often in my stereo that it's starting to melt under its own primal heat.

That said, I didn't enjoy Sound Loaded as much as I'd hoped. When I first bought it, I hated it; the songs are too forced, the lyrics meaningless, and Ricky---who was flying here there and everywhere for concerts while recording the album---sounded tired and a little voice-strained.

But I kept playing it. And soon, I was singing along with it. And dancing to it. And having a good time doing all of the above. This is an album that grows on you, particularly so once you let go of what you think it should be and play it for what it is---a lot of fun. It's not serious art; it's about shaking your...well, you know. Songs like "She Bangs" and "Loaded" are standouts, as are "One Night Man" and "The Touch." One of my favorites is "Are You in it for Love."

The problems that struck me on the first listen are still there, but over time, it starts to work. If you're a die-hard fan, definitely pick up Sound Loaded. If you're new to Ricky, though, I recommend starting with his English-language debut. Better yet, save your money for his next tour---He puts on a fabulous show.

This sophomore English effort by the Latin Prince of Pop very much befits its title. It's sound-loaded alright. At times a bit too noisy but hey, this is Latin music. It's supposed to be noisy. And brassy. And full of sex, sex, sex. Wake up, all you prudes. It's the new millenium already and this is Ricky Martin back to heighten your pleasure. So listen up!

At first listen, one might be inclined to think that this is not the Ricky one thought one knew. Well, this is perhaps partly due to a signicficant reduction in Robi Rosa's contribution. While Robi is still credited in the album's production, he only pens five of the baker's dozen different songs (spanish versions notwithstanding) including the ubiquitious 'She Bangs'. Ah yes. The sexy first single. Well, it's already all over radio and if you haven't heard it yet, well, where are you? The South Pole? By the way, what does she bang anyway?

So, this has a decidedly more Latin feel to it. Think of it as a redemption album from Ricky. If you (longtime) fans of Ricky were less than excited about his debut English album, well, here's the album that he should have released first. It definitely is a more focused work, with more samba, salsa and sass.

'Ricky Martin', while it was a good 'first effort', tried to cover too many bases in its effort to rope in as many demographics as possible. Hence it actually sounded more like a musical equivalent of a salad - everything in one without being anything in particular. Well, this time around, Ricky throws caution to the wind as he introduces us gringos to the more wilder side of Latin music especially in Saint Tropez, Jezabel and Amor (whose arrangement sounds uncannily like Santana's 'Smooth'). Oh, and look for the Arabian-infused 'One Night Man'. I can't help but be reminded of the fabulous 'Ojos Asi' by Shakira. Really quite a gem.

There are less ballads this time around, for better or for worse. The three that ARE included do redeem themselves quite well, especially `The Touch'. As usual Ricky sings 'em with overflowing emotions so that even if the lyrics are really quite cliched, you won't mind it one bit. It is, after all, Ricky Martin. :-)

And as in the debut album, there are a few Spanish versions of some of the English songs namely She Bangs, Ven A Mí (Come To Me), and Dame Más (Loaded). And of course, they sound so much better in spanish even if they are the exact same songs arrangement-wise. There is also an extra Spanish track 'Cambia La Piel'. Is it teaser for an upcoming spanish album? One can only hope and wait.

In conclusion, to address a few anxious concerns,here's my closing remarks. Is the album any good? Yes! It's a more mature work, one with more substance and none of that bon-bon shaking nonsense. In fact, I will not be surprised if it wins a few awards come Grammy night 2002. (The release date, as I understand, is way past the eligibility dateline for Grammy 2001). And, no, there is no duet with George Michael or Elton John. Which is rather disappointing, as I am sure the resulting work would surely have been groundbreaking, or at the very least, sound loaded.

It's a really excellent work, even better than his english debut!! It includes great songs, like "She Bangs", "Come To Me", "Loaded", "Amor", "The Touch" (a beautiful ballad, written by Diane Warren), "Are You In It For Love", "If You Ever Saw Her" and spanish versions of the best songs. I thibk the next single will be "Come To Me" or "Laoded". My personal favourite is "Are You In It For Love", a dynamic latin-favoured song in Ricky's great style, written by Paul Barry & Desmond Child (co-writer of "Livin' La Vida Loca" and "The Cup Of Life"). I bought it as soon as it went out and I can't stop listening to it. it really worth buying it and I'm sure everyone will love it.

Ricky Martin does it again. A great rythmic, passion music record. Full of beautiful song to Dance. All the songs are very good, it is a record to listen fully from the 1st to the 15th song, again and again. The Latin Rythms and warmth of Latin Music surround you immediatly as you listen to the record. Sometimes it feels like being on the beach in Puerto Rico - where I spent a lot of my vacation. I really suggest to BUY IT! - MUSIC FOR TRUE BELIEVERS - Tom

Ricky failed to impress me on his first, self-titled American Album. I didn't care for "Livin' La Vida Loca" I thought "Shake Your Bon Bon was even dumber and I just stopped listening to the radio when he came on. However, the first time I heard "She Bangs," I thought to myself it had to be Marc Anthony, but it was all in English which isn't exactly typical of Anthony. Maybe it was some new artist, but the voice was SO FAMILIAR. I kept thinking "It can't be!" Well, when the DJ confirmed my guess that it was Martin, I could barely believe it. I rushed to Amazon.com and ordered a copy of "Sound Loaded" the minute it came out. I am here to tell you it is Martin's finest work. Although I had to rebuy the entire thing to get the duet with Christina (GRRRRR!) I'm very happy with the finished product. Here's a quick overview of the songs.

1. She Bangs: Indescribably good. If you haven't heard it, you have to. It's Ricky's finest song.

2. Saint Tropez: I HATE this song. I'm not even sure it qualifies as a song and always press skip. I only could stand to listen halfway through it once the entire time I've had the CD!

3. Come To Me: A very soft, sweet love song with a good, peppy Latin background beat. It's one of the better tracks, but not a personal favorite.

4. Loaded: Really stupid. I skip this one, too.

5. Nobody Wants to Be Lonely: Well, we're finally making up for lost time. This is the best love on here and Martin's powerful, charming vocals prove it. I just can't decide whether I like it better with or without Christina. I think it would have to be WITH Chris, but Martin's vocal performance is completely different on this version. (The background singers actually make it laughable at times, though!)

6. Amor: This is such a good song. I think it would make an incredible single. It talks about how people warned Ricky to stay away from a girl, but he went ahead anyway and has no regrets. Classic Spanglish mix. I LOVE IT!

7. Jezabel: Well, this song is fabulous, but it isn't true. What guy doesn't want the town Jezabel. Martin's perspective is almost laughable, and it's more a girl's opinion of Jezabel, but he still pulls it off and produces a very enjoyable tune.

8. The Touch: I like this song but it has no point, and a very hard to remember tune which doesn't exactly help it. It's certainly worth listening to and I usually do whenever I put the CD on.

9. One Night Man: I'll let you guess the topic of this one. It sure sounds like Madonna doing the backing vocals. Maybe it's just me..

10. She Bangs (Spanish) Bad song, bad idea, good way to ruin something great.

11. Are You In It For Love: My third favorite on the album. The only complaint, it's too long! It asks a lover if she really cares about Ricky or just his fame and money.

12. Ven A Mi (Come to Me Spanish) See above

13. If You Ever Saw Her: Second best on the album. You just have to hear it and (if you're a chick) pretend you're the girl in the song. If you're a guy, remember a chick like a girl in the song you went out with. Very good vocals, irresistable beat.

14. Dome Mas: (Loaded,Spanish) Just when you though it couldn't get any worse...

15. Combia a Piel: Very Good, but all in Spanish. At least it's not a translation song!