Sí (CD - 2003)

Whereas Mexican alt-rocker Julieta Venegas's previous outings could be characterized as moody and intense, SI is a collection of unabashedly bright pop songs about the wonders of love. (The cover art, which shows Venegas posing coyly in a wedding dress against a pink background, is a fair indication of the pop confections within). But the album has much more substance than a piece of wedding cake. Irresistible pop craft and melodic hooks are couched in inventive, smartly constructed instrumental arrangements, while the whole is wrapped in clean, breezy, ear-pleasing production.

It is hard to resist the appeal of the disco-inflected "A Tu Lado" or the easygoing groove in "Algo Esta Cambiando," which is highlighted by tasty keys, light funk guitar, and Venegas's sweet, guileless vocals. Venegas also flirts with urban R&B on "Lo Que Pidas," which mixes accordion and turntable scratching over a spry hip-hop beat. Venegas may have alienated some of her indie fans with SI, but the legions of new fans she's won over with this release speaks loudly of the album's merits. In fact, those indie kids might find themselves secretly loving the beautifully sunny pop of SI. minimize