Julieta Venegas Si CD

Julieta Venegas is happy. First there was the outpouring of words like "poetic," "enigmatic," and "intense" among critics raving about the accordion-playing Tijuana native's 2000 release, Bueninvento. Then came her memorable contribution to the Amores Perros soundtrack and subsequent collaborations and appearances with major rock en español artists like Jarabe de Palo lead man Pau Dones and Cuban balladeer Silvio Rodríguez. And not incidentally, judging from the cover of Sí, which features Venegas cavorting in a wedding gown on a cotton candy pink background, somewhere in the intervening three years a question got popped. For every complex and moody fan alienated by what proves to be an unapologetically, even relentlessly perky recording, the airplay and buzz following Sí's November 2003 launch suggested it generated plenty of sunny new converts. Indeed, the ten songs, all written by Venegas or co-authored with Argentine composer, session musician, and co-producer Coti Sorokin, offer much to like. Venegas flirts with folkloric stereotypes in norteño-lounge numbers like "Andar Conmigo" and "Oleada," weds them to hip-hop in "Lo Que Pidas," and commandeers the dancefloor at the reception in shameless disco salutes like "Donde Quiero Estar" and "A Tu Lado," making joyous use of a voice that's sounding as assured and uncluttered as that of Aterciopelados' Andrea Echeverri. The 35 minutes of total play time might seem scant and the lyrics more than a little love struck, but don't lump Venegas in with other passing fancies. Sometimes love is meant to last. ~ Jenny Gage
Whereas Mexican alt-rocker Julieta Venegas's previous outings could be characterized as moody and intense, SI is a collection of unabashedly bright pop songs about the wonders of love. (The cover art, which shows Venegas posing coyly in a wedding dress against a pink background, is a fair indication of the pop confections within). But the album has much more substance than a piece of wedding cake. Irresistible pop craft and melodic hooks are couched in inventive, smartly constructed instrumental arrangements, while the whole is wrapped in clean, breezy, ear-pleasing production.
It is hard to resist the appeal of the disco-inflected "A Tu Lado" or the easygoing groove in "Algo Esta Cambiando," which is highlighted by tasty keys, light funk guitar, and Venegas's sweet, guileless vocals. Venegas also flirts with urban R&B on "Lo Que Pidas," which mixes accordion and turntable scratching over a spry hip-hop beat. Venegas may have alienated some of her indie fans with SI, but the legions of new fans she's won over with this release speaks loudly of the album's merits. In fact, those indie kids might find themselves secretly loving the beautifully sunny pop of SI.