New Reviews: September 14, 1999

Ricky Martin is no doubt the hottest teen idol at the moment. So it is easy to pass off his success as being the result of hormone driven girls who can't get enough of his handsome face on teen magazines or on every entertainment television and music video show around right now. When a friend sent me a copy of Ricky's latest album, his first English language release, I have to admit I was eager to hear what all the fuss was about. Sure, I know the song "Livin' La Vida Loca," but what else does this former Menudo croomer have to offer?

Quite a lot, I soon heard. His mellow voice soars easily through energetic numbers like the "Spanglish" version of "The Cup of Life," as well as softer duets with Madonna and Meja. Ricky Martin has been a superstar in other parts of the world for a while now; the fact he now has an album in English is the catalyst for his popularity in North America. Even still, the fact he combines English and Spanish in some songs is leading the way towards a greater tolerance of other languages being heard on the radio.

Ricky Martin is a talent in his own right. On future releases, I would like to see (and hear!) songs that he has written -- in Spanish, English, or any combination!