Ricardo Arjona Albums (19)
'5to Piso'
Release Date 11/18/2008
Tracks 14
Label Warner Music Latina
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What The Critics Say
Two decades into his illustrious career, Ricardo Arjona remains at the top of his craft on 5to Piso, his first album of new material since the Grammy-winning Adentro (2005). Arjona was awarded the 2007 Grammy for Best Latin Pop Album and the 2006 Latin Grammy for Best Male Pop Vocal Album for Adentro. In the midst of the critical acclaim, the Guatemalan singer, songwriter, producer, and arranger released a double-album career retrospective, Quién Dijo Ayer (2007). The first disc of Quién Dijo Ayer features newly recorded versions of career highlights, along with a couple new songs, "Quién" and "Quiero," that were hit singles. The second disc features the original versions of the same career highlights, including "Mujeres," "Historia de Taxi," and "Si el Norte Fuera el Sur." The career retrospective of Quién Dijo Ayer, an album on which Arjona recast the style of his greatest hits, along with the critical aftermath of Adentro, a commercial juggernaut that spawned five hit singles over the course of two years, set the stage for 5to Piso, an eagerly awaited album with a phenomenal lead single, "Cómo Duele." Arjona's biggest hit in years, "Cómo Duele" is one several masterfully crafted songs sequenced at the beginning of 5to Piso. Beginning with the meditative title track, 5to Piso picks up with a couple standouts, "Sin Ti...Sin Mí" and "El del Espejo," before peaking during "Cómo Duele." While the ten songs that follow aren't as striking as the four-song beginning of the album, there are many memorable songs, particularly "Tocando Fondo" and "Nadie Sabe Adonde Va." Some of the more surprising moments found in the latter half of the album, such as the purely orchestral arrangement of "La Bailarina Vecina" and the ranchera duet "Ni Tú Ni Yo," are memorable as well. However, fans of Arjona's straight-ahead rock style are sure to be disappointed with much of 5to Piso, as piano and strings drive much of the music rather than the electric guitar and drums of years past. More typical than exceptional for Arjona at this point in his career, 5to Piso isn't as grand an album as his past few -- not only Adentro and Quién Dijo Ayer, but also the unplugged album Solo (2004), all of which put his career in retrospect. Yet it's a great album all the same, particularly the opening run of songs that culminates with "Cómo Duele," and it finds Arjona still at the top of his craft. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Celebrated singer/songwriter Ricardo Arjona looks both forward and backward on Quién Dijo Ayer, a double-disc greatest-hits collection featuring 13 of his best-known songs on one disc and new recordings of those same songs on the other disc, plus three new songs. The hits compiled here are mostly from the 1990s, when Arjona emerged as one of Latin pop's most impressive songwriting talents: "Te Conozco" (1991); "Mujeres," "Jesús Verbo No Sustantivo" (1993); "Historia de Taxi," "Señora de las Cuatro Décadas," "Realmente No Estoy Tan Solo" (1994); "Se Nos Muere el Amor," "Tu Reputación" (1996); "Dime Que No," "Tarde (Sin Daños a Terceros)" (1998); "Si el Norte Fuera el Sur" (1999); "Cuándo" (2000); and "A Ti" (2002). After the turn of the century, Arjona began to release progressively less new material; in fact, after Santo Pecado (2002) he has released only one album of new material, Adentro (2005), to date. Like Lados B (2003) and Solo (2004), Quién Dijo Ayer is therefore likely to frustrate some longtime fans who would prefer an album of new material rather than yet another set of recycled material from years past. Thankfully, there are the three new songs, two of which ("Quién," "Quiero") are great, so much so they fit right in alongside all the hits. As for the newly recorded versions of Arjona's greatest hits, they're generally faithful to the original versions. The most evident exceptions are "Si el Norte Fuera el Sur" (performed in a ska style with Panteón Rococó) and "Historia de Taxi" (performed in a salsa style with Marc Anthony). There are a few other duets, but the arrangements are similar to the original versions. While only a couple of the new versions depart stylistically from the originals, the contemporary productions breathe new life into these songs, which should be well known by longtime fans. For the economically minded, Quién Dijo Ayer was also made available in a single-disc Special Edition comprised of only the new recordings rather than a double-disc collection half comprised of previously released (and previously compiled) material. In either edition, the quality of the newly recorded music is stellar, if perhaps overly familiar to some. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
What The Critics Say
Adentro, the flagship record for the Norte label from this Guatemalan-born singer/songwriter, proved a breakout success. Be it for the stripped, natural production value, the confident performance of Ricardo Arjona, or his relevant-as-ever lyricism, he's got both his loyal fans and the execs at Norte smiling. While the instrumentation, performance, and overall sonic palette of this project are minimalist and unassuming, there is a depth and brilliance to them. The listener's ear does not tire or want for more, humble as Adentro is. Much like the no-frills voice of Arjona himself, the acoustic tone of the whole record has a charm that rises slowly like the tide. Never intent upon impressing, but instead to woo, Arjona's rough-hewn tenor is warm and inviting. In keeping with his new, more mature, subtle musical approach, Arjona's lyricism is not overt political commentary. Though some may begrudge the departure, the more socially sensitive approach suits him well. His voice comes across as intelligent and worldly. Arjona's name has become synonymous with a certain tone and level of quality. This record being no exception, it is certain to delight his dedicated fan base. An utterly enjoyable listen, Adentro offers an intimacy to the listener that is as precious as it is rare. ~ Evan C. Gutierrez, All Music Guide
'Santo Pecado'
Release Date 11/19/2002
Tracks 15
Label Sony International
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'Pistas: Canta Como Ricardo Arjona'
Release Date 8/20/2002
Tracks 12
Label Miami
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'Galeria Caribe'
Release Date 8/29/2000
Tracks 18
Label Sony International
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What The Critics Say
Guatemalan singer/songwriter Ricardo Arjona brings a collection of Afro-Caribbean sounds, exploring traditional rhythms such as guaracha, bachata, merengue, and salsa, adding his passionate voice and poetic lyrics. Giovanni Hidalgo plays a vibrating Latin percussion, while talented trumpeter Arturo Sandoval provides a seductive performance. Ricardo Arjona's exploratory work Galeria Caribe proves to be one of his most interesting records. ~ Drago Bonacich, All Music Guide
