1996's
Pies Descalzos
was
Shakira
's big commercial breakthrough; it was that album that established the Colombian singer as a superstar in Latin America. But
's next album,
Donde Estan los Ladrones?
(which means "Where Are the Thieves?" in Spanish) is arguably the finest and most essential album that she recorded in the 1990s. This superb CD isn't just
Latin pop
-- it's also
rock en espanol
.
inspired some reviewers to compare
to
Alanis Morissette
, but that comparison is only valid up to a point. The Colombiana sings with a bit of a cackle (something
Morissette
is known for) on
pop/rock
jewels like
"Si Te Vas"
and
"No Creo,"
but
is a very different kind of lyricist. While
is famous for being angrily introspective and having a mad-at-the-world outlook,
's lyrics tend to be poetic and are, at times, unapologetically romantic -- even if
sang in Spanish, it would be hard to imagine her coming up with something as poetic as the Middle Eastern fantasy that
vividly describes on her Arabic-influenced mega-hit
"Ojos Asi."
And, besides,
already had a few albums under her belt when
enjoyed her big commercial breakthrough with 1995's
Jagged Little Pill
. Of course, only those who have some knowledge of Spanish will be impressed by
's lyrics;
Columbia
doesn't provide English translations. What will impress non-Spanish-speaking listeners are the CD's attractive melodies and the emotion that the artist brings to her songs; you don't have to speak a word of Spanish to find
musically exciting. If you're acquiring your first
release, this would be the ideal choice. ~ Alex Henderson