Fijate Bien

Juanes

Just try and classify the eclectic, often-electric sound of Fijate Bien, the debut solo album from Colombian singer-songwriter Juanes (formerly of the rock group Ekhymosis). Every track mixes and matches genres, careening between--among other things--rock, salsa, and vallenato (traditional Colombian folk music). It's not surprising, given that Latin Grammy nominee Juanes lists Metallica, Jimi Hendrix, Eminem, Vicente Fernández, and Soda Stereo as musical influences. Songs such as "Ahi le Va" and "Nada" ride straightforward rhythms, while "Podemos Hacernos Dano" and "Ficcion" frolic amid the sounds of past and present. There's a lot going on here, both musically and lyrically. Producer Gustavo Santaolalla, who helmed the even more diverse Amores Perros soundtrack, keeps Juanes's exceptional work tight and focused, resulting in one of the year's most refreshing examples of a real Latin explosion. --Joey Guerra

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