Album Review: "Laundry Service"- Shakira

*Get the album on Amazon here*

When I heard a Latin artist had released an English language album back when this was released, I assumed there would be plenty of bland love lyrics set to the kind of unlistenable Mariachi music I would hear piped into the local Chi-Chi's, where I was trying to enjoy a Cancun Combination Platter. I was wrong. 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 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
The big radio hit about obsessive love is a great dance track, with English lyrics co-written 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 my old head of hair.

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 (Mrs. Beach) 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.

"Laundry Service" is a very good personal album, full of different material. 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 co-wrote all the songs. I highly recommend this album, Shakira's songs were a breath of fresh air in a sometimes smoggy pop field. All of the song lines quoted are directly from the liner notes.