Aventura Albums (7)
What The Critics Say
Aventura didn't become the kings of bachata by deserting their large and devoted fan base to cater to the mainstream, and it's no different on The Last -- despite the fact that the album includes features for a parade of crossover suspects: Wyclef Jean and Ludacris on one track, plus Akon and Wisin y Yandel on another. No, the lead track on The Last -- the number one Latin hit "Por un Segundo" -- is straight bachata, rhythmic and sweet, and there happen to be plenty of tender ballads to follow it. Not only that, but the crossover features are held to the last half of the album, where Wyclef Jean produces his own surprisingly sugary "Spanish Fly," and Akon and Wisin y Yandel appear on the Auto-Tuned reggaeton track "All Up 2 You." As usual, the band is anchored by Santos brothers Lenny and Max, along with longtime collaborator Eric "Bori" Rivera. Consolidating the quartet's power, The Last became Aventura's biggest album hit yet, reaching number five on the charts. ~ John Bush, All Music Guide
'Kings of Bachata: Sold Out at Madison Square Garden'
Release Date 11/6/2007
Tracks 21
Label Sony International
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
A year after K.O.B. Live (2006) was a commercial blockbuster, Aventura released another double-disc live album, Kings of Bachata: Sold Out at Madison Square Garden, that likewise features them performing their bounty of hits while a stadium full of girls scream in the background. Documenting their sold-out performance at Madison Square Garden in the group's hometown of New York City on September 1, 2007, the album finds Aventura joined on-stage mid-show by superstar guests including Don Omar (on "Ella y Yo"), Wisin ("Noche de Sexo"), and Héctor Acosta ("Me Voy"). Besides these guest appearances, plus the incidental fact that Kings of Bachata: Sold Out at Madison Square Garden documents a single show rather than a series of shows from a tour, there's little difference between this album and its predecessor. Fans can be assured that both Kings of Bachata: Sold Out at Madison Square Garden and K.O.B. Live feature more or less all of the group's biggest hits, including "Hermanita," "Angelito," "La Boda," "Los Infieles," "Un Beso," and "Mi Corazoncito" (with the exceptions of "Obsesión" and "Llorar," key songs that are oddly missing from the Madison Square Garden performance). ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
In the wake of Aventura's mainstream breakthrough album, God's Project (2005), the group was so emboldened by its commercial success that it crowned itself the Kings of Bachata and, with some modesty, used the title as an acronym for the concert tour document K.O.B. Live. The double-disc live album (actually a triple-disc package featuring two CDs and a bonus DVD) features Aventura on tour performing their bounty of hits while a stadium full of girls scream in the background. All of the group's biggest hits are performed over the course of K.O.B. Live, including "Obsesión," "Llorar," "Hermanita," "Angelito," "La Boda," "Los Infieles," "Un Beso," and "Mi Corazoncito." The one exception is their biggest pop crossover hit, the Don Omar collaboration "Ella y Yo," which doesn't show up on either of K.O.B. Live's two CDs but does show up as part of a medley on the bonus DVD. The inclusion of all the big hits, along with several skits and other between-song banter, is sure to please fans. On the other hand, those who simply want to enjoy the music -- or those who are new to Aventura and perhaps approaching K.O.B. Live as a greatest-hits introduction to the group -- are likely to be troubled by the incessant screaming that can be heard throughout the album. Sure, it's nice to know that Aventura inspire a lot of reaction from their fans, girls in particular, but the crowd noise becomes irritating very quickly, as the noise level is dramatically raised and lowered in the mix throughout K.O.B. Live. In fact, on account of the crowd noise alone, K.O.B. Live is recommended to fans and only fans. All of the hits are here, no question about that, but the recording is difficult to endure for anyone but the most devoted fans who are willing to overlook -- or perhaps join in on -- all of the crowd noise. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
'God's Project'
Release Date 4/12/2005
Tracks 15
Label Sony International
See Album Tracklist and Review
What The Critics Say
Despite the title, with 2005's God's Project, Aventura continues to define their own destiny. In fact, with their widespread popularity and the outpouring of groups who mimic their distinctly New York-influenced bachata, they may be helping to define the genre, as well. Under the clever guise of a boy band lurks some genuine musicianship, particularly evident in Lenny and Mikey Santos. The musician's ear will delight in Lenny's skillful guitar playing and tasteful, hip production, which foreshadow a long, fruitful career in the industry. Though lacking depth at times, the vocal style of Anthony "Romeo" Santos has become a hallmark of the group and has won the affection of fans far and wide. The reggaeton-influenced "Ella y Yo" and the spirited merengue "Por Tu Orgullo" are welcome variations on an otherwise stylistically homogeneous disc. The lack of variation in instrumentation, key, and tempo can become tiring. But it is exactly their dedication to their Dominican heritage and an original sound that has saved them from pop mediocrity. An absolute favorite with young urban Latino audiences, Aventura is already a staple in a rapidly developing market. God's Project, certainly the most consistent in quality so far and perhaps their strongest release period, establishes them as more than a pop phenomenon. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
For their third album, Aventura truly mix up styles, from Dominican bachata and meringue to R&B, pop, and hip-hop. While they want to appeal to the boy-band crowd (perhaps a little late for that, though), they certainly don't succumb to cookie-cutter syndrome on this disc. The arrangements are stripped-down, and often unusual, whether on the tortured "Hermanita" (about domestic violence) or the self-aggrandizing "Deja Vu." There's a definite sophistication to the compositions and production, which is all in the band's hands. And to show they really haven't lost their roots, there are two true meringues, "Pueblo por Pueblo" and "Me Voy," where they're backed by el Prodigio. There's plenty of interplay between the voices throughout, and even some reasonably convincing rapping on the hidden track, "Don't Waste My Time." This time out, it seems, they've built on the success of the breakthrough single from their previous album, in an attempt to win a wider audience -- yet without selling out. It's a balancing act, but one that, for the most part, they carry off. Although it gets a little schmaltzy in places (as on "Papa Dijo") there's still plenty of grit left. And full marks for forging their own path, too. ~ Chris Nickson, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Though the bachata genre is pretty young and music lovers are still getting to know its first generation, the youthful Dominicanos of Aventura and their huge peer fan base are ready to be recognized. Generation Next, the debut album of the Washington Heights-based, Dominican Republic-born quartet Aventura, marks the beginning of a new era for Dominican pop music. With a little better than ten years between Juan Luis Guerra's (the first internationally recognizable bachata artist) arrival on the major-label scene and their own, it seems a short time period to be called a "generation." That said, Aventura's sound is truly something different than what was first called bachata, on Guerra's Bachata Rosa. The instrumentation remains roughly the same; guitar, guiro, bongo, voice, and bass, but Aventura's modern urban influences are noticeable. In the past, bachata selections have been in the minority, as Dominican pop artists tend to lean toward merengue. Not the case for Generation Next, which places emphasis on the more rural, austere bachata style. Also, the funk inflections and R&B attitude help define the identity of a new camp. From this album forward there will be a notable difference between merengue and bachata records that are produced on native soil, and those from Nueva York. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide
