Laundry Service

Also named Hirvi 2 (Elk number two), Shakira is a good example of a musical act making a transition from HRL's side to mine. I already quite liked her Spanish works but it was only this first English album that I bought - and she didn't. After the amazing first single, the album was quite a disappointment and due to its copy-protection it's got very little play.

#1 Objection (Tango) 9

I learnt to respect this a lot more through the warm-up 'graphy Marjut taught us. Even now as I listen to this, my head tries to start moving from side to side.

#2 Underneath Your Clothes 8

Decent ballad showcasing Shakira's interesting voice, which I think I like, in the same way as I like Celine's. This could quite be a Roxette ballad as well. The arrangement is somewhat ESCish towards the end.

#3 Whenever, Wherever 10

The thing I bought this whole CD for, just great. Powerful and full of personality, capable of inspiring countless times of energetic (also potentially raunchy) dancing.

#4 Rules 7

Her voice sounds quite different in this theatralish track that could be made by Texas.

#5 The One 9

I don't even have any memories of tracks beyond this... except for a couple, of course. This ballad is actually good. Has some sound from a generic 80's charity effort. Oh, could this be the fourth single? I guess it is. Wow, not as bad a choice as I thought.

#6 Ready for the Good Times 9½

On the first listening this was the only other redeemable track. I would've released this as a single, not despite the fact it's the only one with some of the same style as WW. Why does she have to end her songs in something sounding like a dying wail?

#7 Fool 6½

Really basic, though not bad. Just basic.

#8 Te dejo Madrid 7

Ah, it's Spanish. Sounds so much better than English, especially "Muy, muy lejos" and "Me voy otra vez". Surprisingly I think I managed to guess the title.

#9 Poem to a Horse 7

Which one of these was the horse thing? This or #7? Could be this.

#10 Que me quedes tu 7

Starts with far-eastern sounds but the bass takes us back to her usual sphere. This could've been a Spanish ESC entry from the 90's.

#11 Eyes Like Yours 7

Ah, the ethnic stuff I've never really liked.

#12 Suerte 10

It's always clever to include your biggest hit twice, even in different languages if you can. This would probably sound better of the two, if I wasn't too familiar with the English one. It's interesting that in the booklet even the lyrics for the "Leloololeelo" part. I can't remember which one had "Lorebray" that I liked very much.

#13 Te aviso, te anuncio (Tango) 9

But even more clever is to do the same thing to two of your biggest hits... What is she saying about Mona Lisa? These lyrics must be better than the English ones.