Si

Julieta Venegas is happy. First there was the outpouring of words like "poetic," "enigmatic," and "intense" among critics raving about the accordion-playing Tijuana native's 2000 release, Bueninvento. Then came her memorable contribution to the Amores Perros soundtrack and subsequent collaborations and appearances with major rock en espanol artists like Jarabe de Palo lead man Pau Dones and Cuban balladeer Silvio Rodriguez. And not incidentally, judging from the cover of Si, which features Venegas cavorting in a wedding gown on a cotton candy pink background, somewhere in the intervening three years a question got popped. For every complex and moody fan alienated by what proves to be an unapologetically, even relentlessly perky recording, the airplay and buzz following Si's November 2003 launch suggested it generated plenty of sunny new converts. Indeed, the ten songs, all written by Venegas or co-authored with Argentine composer, session musician, and co-producer Coti Sorokin, offer much to like. Venegas flirts with folkloric stereotypes in norteno-lounge numbers like "Andar Conmigo" and "Oleada," weds them to hip-hop in "Lo Que Pidas," and commandeers the dancefloor at the reception in shameless disco salutes like "Donde Quiero Estar" and "A Tu Lado," making joyous use of a voice that's sounding as assured and uncluttered as that of Aterciopelados' Andrea Echeverri. The 35 minutes of total play time might seem scant and the lyrics more than a little love struck, but don't lump Venegas in with other passing fancies. Sometimes love is meant to last. ~ Jenny Gage

メキシコの美しき歌姫、フリエッタ・ヴェネガスの3作目が届いた。花嫁衣裳を着て妖精のようにはにかむ彼女にどんな心境の変化があったのだろう。これまでは陰りのあるニューウェイヴ風ロックを持ち味としていた彼女だったのだが、本作では軽快なポップ路線に転向。とはいっても、彼女が奏でる麗しいアコーディオンの音色と甘さ控えめで少し低めの歌声が、ありきたりではないキュートなポップスを作り出している。
bounce (C)長屋 美保