Mi Sangre (CD - 2004)

Personnel: Juanes (vocals, acoustic guitar, electric guitar, synthesizer, programming); Emmanuel Briceño (Fender Rhodes piano); Anibal Kerpel (keyboards, mini-Moog synthesizer); Greg Kurstin (keyboards); Fernando Tobon (bass guitar); Victor Indrizzo (drums); Gustavo Santaolalla, Felipe Alzate (percussion).

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

The term "Latin rock" can mean many different things, from traditional Mexican music simply played with electric instruments to death metal sung in Spanish. The music of Colombian singer/songwriter/guitarist Juanes is perhaps more deserving than most of the appellation, as his sound is a true hybrid that borrows several of the best qualities from both Latin and rock music. With its super-dry, punchy production, sharp songwriting, and wickedly tasty guitar leads, MI SANGRE has all the pop smarts of an early Elvis Costello album, but adds a romanticism and powerful rhythmic kick that's distinctly south of the border. With its sweeping strings and soaring melody, "Para Tu Amor" sounds a bit like Eric Carmen or Paul McCartney fronting a Cuban son band. The organ-driven dance-party funk of "Damelo," on the other hand, is reminiscent of Jamiroquai. Sporting shaggy tresses, tattoos, and a beat-up Stratocaster, Juanes proves that his rocker look is no mere costume, but an accurate reflection of his distinctive and powerful musical fusion. minimize