Enrique Iglesias

Escape

Iglesias offers an "Escape" from typical Latin pop

Review Score:

(6/10)
His English-language debut, 1999's "Enrique," was certainly polished and entertaining. However, there was more than a touch of overkill: the consistent handclaps, castanets, and particularly relentless acoustic guitar (plucked, of course) seemed unwilling to let you forget, even for a minute, that you were listening to Latin Pop, and the fact that Iglesias' voice had beauty and charm pretty much took a backseat to the genre. Now that the Latin pop trend (not to mention Ricky Martin's success rate) has cooled, Enrique doesn't have to clamor for the spotlight as eagerly, so his sophomore effort, "Escape," ends up an album full of a strong and unique identity.

Pop/rock seems to interest him the most these days; the title track is a bright and sunny workout that is all but guaranteed a heap of airplay. "Maybe" is a strikingly straightforward midtempo pop song, and even dressing up beats in hints of electronica can't hide the rock and roll heart of "Don't Turn Off the Lights." And then of course, there's the song everyone's heard, "Hero," an elegant pop ballad and one of those rare smash hits that actually deserves to be one. The Spanish-influenced guitar does find its way through the door, but it's quickly counteracted by techno beats on the fetching "Love to See You Cry," the lyrics of which could go one of two ways - he either has a bit of a cruel streak or he loves the girl so much, even her tears are beautiful.

The production throughout the record is full of surprising little touches, be it a reverbed repeat of a vocal or a quirky hit of computerized percussion, and paired with his lovestruck lyrics, the overall impression is that Enrique just wants to have a good time. Unfortunately some of the material doesn't inspire a party: "One Night Stand" and the attempted hip-hop cut "She Be the One" try to stir things up a bit with racy lyrics, but the melodies are so routine they go in one ear and out the other. "I Will Survive" is another song that certainly sounds commercial enough, and in the background at a restaurant or club, it certainly wouldn't offend, but when paid attention to front and center it's less inspired than most of the material it's surrounded by. Still, the strengths outweigh the flaws, and it's impressive to see how far Iglesias has come since his last album. Granted, radio will keep you up to your ears in at least four of these tracks for the next couple of years, but when a breezy, carefree, yet solidly distinguishable spirit is what you need to brighten your day, "Escape" is a good record to have onhand.

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