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22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
One of 2000's best Spanish language releases!, December 27, 2000
Since Ricky Martin wiggled his hips on the stage of the 1999 Grammy Awards, interest in the "Latin phenomenon" has skyrocketed. The Spanish to English crossover was lavished with attention and signified a turning point in the options available to many Latin artists. However, this boon does not always allow the spotlight to be turned on the revolution within the Latin music industry itself -mainly because of the language barrier. If language were not a barrier, Juan Esteban Aristizabal's (a.k.a. Juanes) debut album Fíjate Bien (Check it out) would almost invariably be the buzz in the music industry at large. Even though the superbly crafted offering by this Colombian artist features the magic touch of Rock en Español producer meister Gustavo Santaolalla (Café Tacuba, Molotov) , Juanes in no way takes the back seat to industry royalty. Writing and composing all the songs and music and associate producing the album, Juanes makes good use of the 12-year experience as front man of rock group Ekhymosis. With the combination of poetic flair, gorgeous musical arrangement, and incisive commentary on Colombia, Juanes manages to turn what amounts to 12 speeches into music galore. The choice to remain close to his Andean musical roots while unabashedly delving into R&B, classic rock, funk, other Latin beats like Afro-Caribbean rhythms, and even pop makes this album highly accessible. Light in its delivery and strikingly new in its introspective content, Juanes' outing takes us from the organic opening track "Ahí le va" to , in-your-face rock of "Para que". The wide musical latitude of the album is further demonstrated by the radio-friendly title track and first single as well as by the riveting second single "Podemos hacernos daño" which seamlessly blends Colombian accordion-driven vallenato music with Jimmy Hendrix guitar riffs into a danceable hit song. The rest of the album contains the Santanaesque "Para ser Eterno", the honest (yet painful) beauty of the string-arranged "Vulnerable" and the musical playfulness on socially- revealing tunes like "Soñador". The many sources of inspiration of this 27-year-old talent makes it almost impossible to pigeonhole his work. He walks the tight rope between traditional folklore beats and modern influences with such grace, that his work could speak to just about anyone. The fruit of this remarkable feat is a musical effort that crosses boundaries, but leaves the uniqueness of the artist intact; something a crossover-happy environment could well benefit from. Look for a successful, much awarded, solo career characterized by constant innovation. Fíjate bien!
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16 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Juanes,una nueva promesa., May 26, 2001
Luego de la desaparición de su grupo Ekhymosis,Juan Esteban Aristizabal regresa a la escena musical con su primer trabajo solista "Fíjate Bien",una excelente mezcla de ritmos y estilos,con letras profundas sobre la realidad que se vive en latinoamérica,con historias cotidianas,letras intensas,hablando del amor,de la guerra,de la paz,de la vida y la muerte,todo condensado en 12 canciones,tan distintas y tan parecidas,tan individuales y tan inseparables al mismo tiempo.Este disco define a Juanes como uno de los grandes exponentes del futuro del rock latino,lleno de talento y sentimiento,que lleva demostrando desde sus inicios en Ekhymosis,donde nació su estilo,que ahora nos presenta renovado y aumentado,en este disco que es imposible escucharlo sólo una vez.
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7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
awesome introduction to Juanes!, November 12, 2004
This was the album that preceded Juanes' "Un Dia Normal," a CD that truly reached audiences from all backgrounds through the Latin Grammy show and into other venues, as well. "Fijate Bien" (Watch Carefully) is a cautionary, sensitively written and well-performed album that really gives us a sense of Juanes' profound ability to write songs that really speak to the heart--not just about love, either. I get a sense that he was leaning more toward a rock sound than the latin fusion that we have heard in his last two albums ("Un Dia Normal" and "Mi Sangre"). There are still generous doses of cumbia-inspired elements ("Fijate Bien" in the bridge part, toward the end of the song), as well as the very latin, syncopated hooks ("Para Ser Eterno").
What I enjoy most about the album is the fact that Juanes isn't afraid to take himself seriously an artist and performer. Many of his songs address social injustice, sensitivity and consciousness in a world that can be cold, violent and narcissistic. I am glad that we have one artist to inspire us and also lead us with strength and grace, like we do in Juanes. He is definitely one great example of much of the beauty, versatility and innovation that exists in the contemporary music of Colombia. Muchas gracias, Juanes.
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