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There is a lot of variety to be found on this album; alongside traditional Latin stylings, Shakira incorporates elements of Spanish, Arabic, and even good old American rock and roll music, melding all of these influences into a sound that is uniquely her own. Laundry Services offers up nine English-language songs, two Spanish tracks, and the Spanish versions of her two biggest hits. Now I wish I hadn't forgotten all the Spanish I learned in college, but it really doesn't matter all that much. Listening to Shakira sing in her native language is mesmerizing and provides a much clearer example of her unstoppable musical talent. Her English songs are great, but clearly she is more comfortable singing in Spanish, and the opportunity to listen to two great songs in both of their versions can be pretty illuminating. Whenever, Wherever pulses with obvious pop appeal, and it alone certainly earned Shakira this particular fan; its Spanish-language version, Suerte, is even more enjoyable. Underneath Your Clothes is a nice ballad that offers up the softer side of Shakira but fails to communicate the immense talents she has at her disposal. Tengo is a song that may not appeal to everyone, but I think its strong tango introduction makes for a great beginning of this cross-over album; closing the album with the Spanish-language version of the song, Te Aviso, Te Anuncio, is an equally nice and symmetrical touch. The One is another excellent ballad, while The Fool is a song that I would definitely release as a single; these two songs rival Whenever, Wherever as the best tracks on the album. Poem to a Horse is a rocking little number that belies its rather timid-sounding title. I don't know what Shakira is saying in Te Dejo Madrid and Que Me Quedes Tu, but I certainly like how she is saying it. The one and only song that comes across as a little weak is Rules, but I would like to say for the record that I personally would have no problem following any rules that Shakira might require of me.

This album isn't perfect, and in some ways it is a fairly unusual crossover album. Shakira's newly-learned English is not perfectly understandable at times (but the liner notes do contain all of the song lyrics) but her voice always resonates the beauty and passion and incredible talent she carries inside her. The Spanish tracks serve an important dual purpose - assuring her long-time Latin music fans that she has not abandoned them for the US market and allowing people like me to get an understanding and develop an appreciation of the incredible Latin music we have been missing out on all these years. Shakira has it all as far as I'm concerned, a true musical artist with a commitment to her career and to her fans all over the world that will assure her success for many years to come.


Shakira's English language pop will leave you warm inside!   November 16, 2001
 24 out of 32 found this review helpful

Shakira's Laundry Service: Insert coins for full cycle and review of album. Warning: listening to this album will make you think, "Mariah who?" or "Celine Dion? Is that a Canadian aftershave?"

<> Shakira Mebarak Ripoll's long-awaited English-language debut is well worth the wait, and is one of the most refreshing pop albums I've heard this year, much less a while. I will say that she sings well in English, but I'm entranced by the way her native language silkily and smoothly rolls off her tongue and her vocal chords, as I first heard from Donde Estan Los Landrones?

<> The opening tango piano and accordion of the first song, "Objection" blasts into hard-driving Ricky Martinesque pop like "Living Da Vida Loca". The song even goes into a rap in the middle before going into a Blondie-style guitar. It goes to show that not only has Debelah Morgan lost her monopoly on tango dance pop, but that it has been improved on by Shakira, who also does a Spanish version of this song, which as the last song, acts as bookends in conjunction with its English counterpart. Perfect symmetry.

The pop stomp of "Whenever, Wherever"'s chorus is a catchy delight. She also has some pointed words to say to her lover: "Lucky that my breasts are small and humble/So you don't confuse them with mountains" Wow, good one, Shakira! I've got no problem with small and humble. And a previous line where her lips spill kisses like fountains makes her a real passionate woman. "Suerte" is the Spanish version of this song and it's just as snappy. And to keep with the symmetry, it's the penultimate song on Laundry Service.

<> "Rules" has a snappy chorus and also Shakira's sense of values, of which I detect one-to-one loyalty and unity.

<> "The One" has rock power-ballad guitar and even a choral melody reminiscent of Damn Yankees' "High Enough". And speaking of rock, "Fool", and "Te Dejo Madrid", with its rocking guitar, are one of the reasons that differentiate Shakira from Selena. Shakira incorporates rock in her music rather than straight pop like Selena or Thalia. I hope that part of her never changes.

<> Of the other Spanish songs, "Te Dejo Madrid" is a solid rocker, while Que Me Quedes Tu reminds me of mid-paced 80's rock.

"Ojos Asi" was my favorite song from Donde Estan Los Landrones? with its hyper-infectious Arabic melodies and rhythm. It's done here in English, "Eyes Like Yours", and they compare favorably with the original. I like the original just a teeny bit better, though. By the way, Shakira is half-Lebanese/half-Colombian, so let's not let recent events prejudice the race-baiting touted by extreme elements, okay? It was the exotic Middle Eastern style of this song that really turned me on in the first place, so it's important to open the mind as well as the ears on this song, which rivals "Objection" and "Whenever, Wherever."

<>: Shakira's singular voice is not totally smooth or silky. There's a hardness in her voice that I like, much like the tartness in an apple. I still can't compare it to anyone else I've heard. Maybe a softer version of Toni Childs mixed with Jennifer Rush minus the octave range. And as for her image, okay, so she's done the blonde and navel thing. So what? Her music hasn't changed.

<> Remove album from CD player and either play again or snuggle up to the fresh warmness. Enjoy!


Shaki proves she is the #1 Latin female Rock/pop artist!   November 21, 2001
 24 out of 26 found this review helpful

First of all, I want to comment on critics who say the meaning is lost in translation on "Laundry Service." Some critics have attempted to compare "Laundry Service" with her former work. It is true that the brilliant "Donde Estan Los Ladrones," is her most outstanding work thus far. In fact it is pure brilliance.

But you cannot compare these two albums!! "Donde Estan Los Ladrones," was fully done in a romance language that can be fully appreciated: Espanol (Spanish). While the majority of the tracks in "Laundry Service" were done in her newly-found language: English. Last, music is universal, and musicians share with the world the talent that emanates from them, so while her music may not be at its best in a new language, her effort is inspiring.

That said, Laundry Service stands all on its own as an awesome, eclectic fresh debut from a very beautiful singing, creative and awe inspiring artist; Shakira. Note that on the back of the CD is says, "Entire album produced by Shakira." Friends, this is the truth! This woman emanates TRUE non-manufactured, raw, poetic, eclectic, lovely talent! Her unique, unforgiving, soaring, and flowing vocals, reminds the first time listener of a modern day Latin Janis Joplin in terms of power in the voice, crossed with Natalie Merchant?s soothing pipes, and Alanis Morisette?s angry voice ultimatums. Not only is Shakira's voice powerful and multi-versatile, but her stage presence, along with her eye candy beauty, makes her the complete all around diva. She can easily polish a heartfelt ballad, and rock like the rockera she is. That is what sets her apart, and that is why she has had worldwide success.

The first track on her mostly English cd, ?Objection (Tango)? is my favorite song on the CD!! This song is so awesome! I felt like a kid in a candy store listening to it more than a month and a half before the CD was released! I knew it would stir up some great sentiment! Objection is a tango song with a hard driving guitar and rhythmic singing that fits nicely. Track 2 ?Underneath your clothes? is a great ballad! WOW! The bridge in the middle is just what the song needed too. It?s almost an aside and then she comes back into the chorus; it works well! Track 3 ?Whenever, wherever? is a great song with an awesome debut video to match too! The hard, yet, subtle drums add life to the song and Shakira?s vocals paint a great picture! Track 4 "Rules" opens with a great guitar and rhythmic drum sound. The song is good. Track 5 "The One" is a great ballad that incorporates a soothing introduction and a continuously infectious hook! Love it! Track 6 ?Ready for the good times? lights up the room with a Selena disco medley beat! Track 7 "Fool" has a paceful beat and truthful lyrics that get your attention! It is a love rock ballad! Track 8 "Te Demo Madrid" is a great track that makes you want to get up, and dance and sing!! It has nice elements of alternative music mixed with rock and pop, the harmonica is great too! Track 9 ?Poem to a horse? is a rock song that has a very meaningful message in the lyrics. Track 10 ?Que me quedes tu? has a great Oriental type of intro with a flavoring 60s guitar, and then is warms into a ?Sombra de ti? (one of her former songs) type of singing and music beat! Love it!! It is a great ballad with soft touches mixed in with some up beat tempo. Track 11 ?Eyes like yours? is the English version of Shakira?s ?Ojos Asi.? This English version pails in comparison to the original Spanish version. I do like the chorus, but the non-chorus parts sound very awkward. Track 12 and 13 are Spanish versions of her English songs on the CD that are just as good as the English-language counterparts.

Shakira is only 24 years old and I cannot wait for all the good music and love that is too come from her! This will hopefully prove to America and the rest of the world, that true talent should rule the music world. Move over manufactured fakes, Shakira has taken the throne in the English market and previously in the Spanish market. Very soon, she will become a long lasting, cementable international star.


Soak and Spin   June 24, 2002
 24 out of 28 found this review helpful

When you hear a Latin artist has released an English language album, you assume there will be plenty of bland love lyrics set to the kind of music you hear piped into your local Chi-Chi's Mexican Restaurant, where you try to enjoy a Cancun Combination Platter while trumpets blare in your ears.

Sexy Shakira blazes a pretty impressive pop album, with minor missteps. She used an Spanish/English dictionary and a thesaurus, and while some of the the songs are a little awkward, Shakira throws in so much ear candy, you will not care. Her album title refers to love being a jumble of so many different things, like a bunch of clothes in a washer. Song by song:

1. Objection (Tango)
Angry, kick butt song suffers from goofy tango opening that reminded me of Weird Al Yankovic, before the whole thing went into B-52s territory. Cool midway rap smacks me of T'Pau.

2. Underneath Your Clothes
A song about looking further than skin deep, Shakira's voice is great and raw. Cool opening line: "You're a song/ Written by the hands of God".

3. Whenever, Wherever
Current radio hit about obsessive love is a great dance track, with English lyrics cowritten by Gloria Estefan.

4. Rules
A Go-Go's riff kicks off a pure pop song with such an '80's feel, I felt a longing for "Night Tracks" and Yuri Andropov!

5. The One
Another heartfelt love song, which turns into a hard rock ballad part way through. A great balance, though, with Shakira's voice making the song.

6. Ready for the Good Times
Shakira goes '70's disco in funky dance song. She has found love, and will never let go. Where else will you hear a reference to seven legged cats?!

7. Fool
Sad lyrics about hating a mate so much, the pain becomes pleasure, made more effective by a folk opening breaking into another power ballad.

8. Te Dejo Madrid
Spanish language song is not translated in the liner notes, but sounds incredible!

9. Poem to a Horse
Weird title to a song about trying to reach someone completely wrapped up in themselves. Best line: "You keep on aiming for the top/ And quit before you sweat a drop".

10. Que Me Quedes Tu
Another Spanish language pop song that sounds great, but I do not remember enough of Senora Playa's high school Spanish class to know what Shakira is singing.

11. Eyes Like Yours
Smoldering lyrics about traveling the world to find the title cranial organs fits well with Asian Indian type instruments. George Harrison would be proud.

12. Suerte
Spanish language version of "Whenever, Wherever" seems to flow better that the earlier song.

13. Te Aviso, Te Anuncio (Tango)
Spanish language version of "Objection (Tango)" seems to flow about the same as the earlier song.

This is a very good personal album, full of different songs. I was reminded of songs by everyone from Metallica to Falco, but Shakira makes all of these her own. She produced, and either wrote or cowrote all the songs, and I am looking forward to her next move. I highly recommend this album, Shakira's songs are a breath of fresh air in a sometimes smoggy pop field.

All of the song lines quoted are directly from the liner notes (when I was able to take my eyes off the very photogenic songstress).


In any language, a true artist!   November 15, 2001
 21 out of 24 found this review helpful

Let me get out of the way several aspects I have NO concern about, that being an artist's crossover aspirations and what language they sing in. None of that matters as long as the music itself demonstrates heart, soul, and ambition. As for Shakira, I'm a fan of her last two albums, and find that her artistic vision on LAUNDRY SERVICE has in no way been sidetracked by the words "crossover" or "language"...in fact, she seems to be solidly moving forward as an artist!

Shakira's voice is passionate and original (NOT an Alanis clone!), her lyrics are intriguing, and the song arrangements continue to balance rock, pop, dance, soul, and the subtle regional touches that one would expect by an artist born in Columbia. The songs are mostly brand new, although there is an English version of my all-time favorite Shakira track "Ojos Asi" (titled "Eyes Like Yours"), and two versions of the wonderful track "Suerte."

Contrary to another review, I see absolutely NO sign that Shakira has in any way compromised her music with teen-pop (or any other insincere) elements to appeal to a certain audience. The one way that she is widening her audience--by singing primarily in English--hasn't preoccupied her from building on the strengths of her past albums. In any language, Shakira is a true original!