Originally written: December 26, 2000.
On Christmas I was pleased to find Ricky Martin’s Sound Loaded under my tree. I, traditionally, take new CDs, pop them into the player, and listen to about fifteen seconds of each song. I do this to get a feel of each song, and of the album. For only having heard the single, She Bangs, I was more than pleasantly surprised.
Ricky’s first, breakthrough effort (his self-titled album), was, in my personal opinion, certainly not as good as his latest. I literally felt like throwing my sister’s copy of Ricky Martin out the window and stomping on it after having heard Livin’ La Vida Loca a couple million times in one day. Not only on the radio, but on my sister’s CD player. It certainly played itself out to an extent where people thought of him as a one-hit wonder, backlash artist. Much like the Spice Girls, Hanson, etc. I began hating Ricky after hearing his single so much. It really gets tiring when radio stations overplay and stretch out a song farther than it’s ability.
Sound Loaded is just what the title says plus some. While, like any album, there are a few duds, the good songs are amazingly good. Here’s an analyzation of each song, that I do in my reviews (as some of you may note). I am doing star ratings, one through five, five being best:
She Bangs - This is my second favorite track on the album. You’ll soon see the #1 favorite, just hold on! This track is more than danceable. The video is fun, crazy, and wild. But, sort of Ricky’s classic video styles. I am surprised, however, at the sexual content in the video. It isn’t necessarily a bad thing, but it’s certainly different!
Saint Tropez - An upbeat song but doesn’t do anything for me like his big banging, trumpet-playing uptempos. It’s got somewhat of that Arabic sound or whatever you want to call it. It’s danceable as many of Ricky’s songs are, but not as likable as others.
Come To Me - I’ve never taking a real liking to Martin’s slow songs. Even his She’s All I Ever Need (or something like that) never interested me. I thought the video was amazingly cheesy and the graphics were done poorly. This song is similar to that slow single, but I am more partial to his uptempos!
Loaded - Ah, here it is! My #1 favorite on this album! Ricky you are a Latin dance genius! I cannot praise this track enough! The same crazy mixture of instruments (trumpets, several Latin/Spanish instruments also). It’s all you can do to keep yourself from moving and shaking to this song. ’’Move like a thing, swing like a thong, and do your jiggy mama till the break’a dawn!’’
Nobody Wants to Be Lonely - Almost a Enrique Iglesias type approach, but Ricky all his own. It is much better than his previous ballads! Something I would listen to frequently! UPDATE: The version with Christina Aguilera is the best!
Amor - Interesting. More than danceable, the guitar is reminiscent of Santana’s Smooth (bleck!). But, I enjoy this song so much! It’s a fast song that tends to let Ricky show off his true vocal talent more than other uptempos. Very sexy!
Jezabel - Sounds somewhat like the last song. It sounds almost like a boy band’s song, but again, this is all Ricky. I love the catchy chorus, can I go dance now? hip shakin’
The Touch - Absolutely beautiful ballad. Powerful, pretty, of course Ricky’s nice voice, everything is perfect! I have been extremely impressed by Ricky’s latest ballad efforts.
One Night Man - More of that arabic sound and an arabic woman singing in the beginning. One more song that I can’t resist. Ricky is just so impressive on this album, I can’t even believe my ears. He sings in Spanish a bit.
She Bangs (Spanish Version) - Same as above, except now he’s singing fully in Spanish. I can sing along in English! <grins>
Are You In It For Love - I love how he opens (and also the chorus), but I’m not sure of the verses. It’s another sexy Latin dancing song, but lacks...trumpets maybe? <laughs> I dunno, not tickling my fancy as others have.
Ven A Mi (Come To Me) - Spanish version of track three.
If You Ever Saw Her - Hummm, I’m not so sure of this. It seems lighter and not as fun as the others. I don’t know what it is about this song, but it doesn’t exactly have the umph of the others.
Dame Mas (Loaded) - Spanish version of ’’Loaded, ’’ my favorite uptempo. Even sexier and awesome in Ricky’s native tongue. I know what you’re thinking, and no I don’t find Mr. Martin attractive.
Cambia La Piel - Fun, uptempo song. Fully sung in Spanish, and I’d like it better if there was an English translation at least on the jacket booklet.
After having listened to the album thoroughly, I am impressed by Ricky’s growth. He has turned out to be a respectively amazing artist, and I truly believe that Sound Loaded is not only one of the best of the year, but also his best album yet. I never thought I would enjoy Ricky Martin’s music again, but I’m glad he changed my mind.