Rating:
Genre:
Latin
Release Date: 08/22/2006
In 2006, the
narcocorrido controversy raged on; many radio stations in Mexico were still refusing to play those hard-hitting tales of violence and drug trafficking, which meant more airplay for the bouncy duranguense style and more airplay for romantic Mexican artists such as
los Rehenes de Javier Torres.
Narcocorridos, of course, didn't disappear -- they were still ultra-popular in the regional Mexican market -- although the stations in Mexico that maintained a no-
narcocorrido policy were on the lookout for romantic, radio-friendly albums like
Con el Alma Desnuda ("With the Naked Soul"). But despite being commercial and radio-friendly, this 2006 release is another demonstration of
Torres' ability to be sleek without being ultra-slick or mechanical. One hears a variety of influences on this 28-minute CD, and they range from
norteño,
ranchera,
banda and duranguense to Mexican-style
cumbia (as opposed to South American
cumbia of the Colombian, Peruvian, Bolivian or Argentinean varieties). But whatever the influence,
Con el Alma Desnuda maintains its
Latin pop orientation;
Torres still inspires comparisons to
Latin adult contemporary singers like
José José,
Joan Sebastian and
Julio Iglesias, but he does it with a more overtly and consistently rhythmic approach.
Torres puts a Mexican spin on romantic
Latin pop, not unlike a Dominican vocalist who might put a
bachata spin on something from
Iglesias' repertoire. The edgiest song on
Con el Alma Desnuda is probably the
corrido "Martes" (
"Tuesday"), which is not a
narcocorrido; it is a tearjerker about a man whose
alcoholismo (alcoholism) yields tragic results when he runs over and kills a small child who is crossing the street. But even on
"Martes," Torres doesn't lose his romantic smoothness; the song doesn't have the usual
corrido swagger.
Con el Alma Desnuda falls short of essential, although
Torres' die-hard fans will find it to be a likable addition to
los Rehenes' huge, ever-growing catalog.
~Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
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