Juanes Albums (4)
'La Vida...Es un Ratico'
Release Date 10/22/2007
Tracks 14
Label Wrasse
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What The Critics Say
By the time of his fourth album, La Vida...Es un Ratico, it was difficult to imagine Juanes being any more acclaimed or popular. He'd already won trophy cases of awards, from numerous Grammys to France's highest cultural honor, L'Ordre des Arts et des Lettres, and he'd already topped charts in a diverse range of countries, including not only the entire Spanish-speaking world, but also such unlikely markets as Germany, where his 2005 single "La Camisa Negra" was a number one hit. Plus, he'd toured the world seemingly without end in support of Mi Sangre (2004), expanding his fan base to such an extent that Universal chose to release "Me Enamora," the lead single from La Vida...Es un Ratico, to media outlets in 77 countries. All of this was accomplished without singing a word of English, for despite his renown and multinational appeal, Juanes chose to sing only in his native Spanish, not even recording alternate versions of his songs for the enormous English-language market. Eagerly anticipated by fans and industry insiders alike, La Vida...Es un Ratico is a step forward for the Columbian rocker in terms of artistry. As expected, the album brims with earnest songwriting, heartfelt singing, dexterous guitar playing, and glimmering production. An undercurrent of Latin rhythm is well evident on most songs, especially "Me Enamora," "Báilala," and "Tres," and there's a good balance of rockers as well as ballads; for instance, the album opener, "No Creo en el Jamás," kick-starts the album with a surge of forward momentum, while the back-to-back sequencing of "Minas Piedras" and "Tú y Yo" is a lulling mid-album pivot. Sequenced before that mid-album pivot is a run of standout songs ("Me Enamora," "Hoy Me Voy," "La Vida...Es un Ratico," "Gotas de Agua Dulce," "La Mejor Parte de Mí"), each stylistically distinct and memorably melodic. The centerpiece of this run (i.e., the title track) is also the centerpiece of the album; a passionate piano ballad about life, love, and family, and about how time is fleeting, the song "La Vida...Es un Ratico" (which, in English, translates to "Life Is a Moment") is among the most striking and poetic of Juanes' career to date, up there with "A Dios Le Pido." As a whole, La Vida...Es un Ratico is as just impressive as his past albums, though following the incredible acclaim and popularity of Un Día Normal (2002) and Mi Sangre, it's no surprise at this point in time that Juanes is capable of such mastery, not only as a singer/songwriter, but as a guitarist and co-producer. If anything, the distinction to be drawn between La Vida...Es un Ratico and its predecessors is that Juanes has turned his focus inward here, writing more about his own life than the world surrounding it, and also that his songs are increasingly driven by his lyrics rather than his guitar. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
'Mi Sangre'
Release Date 1/1/2004
Tracks 13
Label Universal Music Latino
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What The Critics Say
Mi Sangre is the awaited follow-up to the hugely successful Un Día Normal, the multi-Latin Grammy-winning and best-selling Latin album of 2003, which made Juanes a star. Although he has a different background than many Latin stars, now it's hard to tell the difference between him and the rest. His music and words sound more conventional than ever. Like Un Día Normal's lyrics, Mi Sangre's are hopeful and romantic. There are many love songs ("Amame," "Para Tu Amor," "Nada Valgo sin Tu Amor") and a couple of naïve looks over reality ("Qué Pasa?" and "Sueños"). Musically, this album is rawer than its predecessor. Somehow it's also less catchy. It was also produced by Gustavo Santaolalla. It's not a bad album by Latin pop standards. ~ Iván Adaime, All Music Guide
'Un Día Normal'
Release Date 5/21/2002
Tracks 12
Label Universal Latino
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What The Critics Say
Recorded in Los Angeles, CA, and co-produced by rock en español expert Gustavo Santaolalla, the second album by Grammy-winning Juanes, highly anticipated following the release of its first single, "A Dios Le Pido," once again delivers his awarded fusion of urban, rock, and Latin American rhythms. A spiritual folk-rock song opens this 12-track record, followed by the romantic mid-tempo "Es por Ti" and the Latin pop ballads "Un Día Normal" and "La Unica." Colombian Juanes (born Juan Esteban Aristizabal) goes local with "Luna," a pop-oriented vallenato, the most popular traditional rhythm from his native country. After the orchestrated ballad "Dia Lejano," the album's rock en español side emerges with "Mala Gente" and "Fotografía," recorded along with Nelly Furtado. Un Día Normal ends with the Latin dance-pop of "La Noche." ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide
'Fijate Bien'
Release Date 10/17/2000
Tracks 12
Label Universal Latino
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What The Critics Say
Colombian singer/songwriter Juan Esteban Aristizabal wanted to go on his own with a contemporary Latin pop album, teaming up with producer Gustavo Santaolalla, known for his valuable contributions to Latin rock numbers, to make that possible. Fíjate Bien comprised 12 songs, all of them composed by this South American performer, from the mid-tempo "Nada," and Latin Grammy-winning "Fíjate Bien" to the Colombian coastal folk-flavored "Podemos Hacernos Daño," a seductive ballad called "Vulnerable," and Latin hip-hop-oriented "Me Da Igual," allowing Juanes to achieve an award for Best New Latin Artist in 2001. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide
