Oreja De Van Gogh Guapa Genre:International Music Effortless effervescence--that's the most fitting phrase to describe Guapa, the fourth studio disc from La Oreja de Van Gogh and follow-up to 2003's wildly popular Lo Que Te Conte Mientras Te Hacias La Dormida. Rock r... more »iffs, club beats, and instantly catchy melodies collide with the kewpie-doll vocals of Amaia Montero. Her voice is thin and wispy, to be sure, but it's a perfect fit for LODVG's pleasing pop confections. "Noche" and "Muneca de Trapo" are anchored by fuzzy guitar riffs, while "Vuelve" rides a Nirvana-inspired guitar groove, accented with electro beats. "A Diez Centimetros De Ti" pulses with the passion of young love, and "Mi Vida Sin Ti" morphs from a plaintive guitar ode into a delicious disco-ball ditty before shifting into a barroom sing-along, complete with blaring mariachi horns. There's lots of ground covered here, but LODVG's route never seems forced or overplanned. Guapa is simply the sound of a group comfortable with its talents and its varied inspirations. For fans of swirling world-pop, that's pretty inspired too. --Joey Guerra« less
Effortless effervescence--that's the most fitting phrase to describe Guapa, the fourth studio disc from La Oreja de Van Gogh and follow-up to 2003's wildly popular Lo Que Te Conte Mientras Te Hacias La Dormida. Rock riffs, club beats, and instantly catchy melodies collide with the kewpie-doll vocals of Amaia Montero. Her voice is thin and wispy, to be sure, but it's a perfect fit for LODVG's pleasing pop confections. "Noche" and "Muneca de Trapo" are anchored by fuzzy guitar riffs, while "Vuelve" rides a Nirvana-inspired guitar groove, accented with electro beats. "A Diez Centimetros De Ti" pulses with the passion of young love, and "Mi Vida Sin Ti" morphs from a plaintive guitar ode into a delicious disco-ball ditty before shifting into a barroom sing-along, complete with blaring mariachi horns. There's lots of ground covered here, but LODVG's route never seems forced or overplanned. Guapa is simply the sound of a group comfortable with its talents and its varied inspirations. For fans of swirling world-pop, that's pretty inspired too. --Joey Guerra
""El Viaje de Copperpot" is still my favorite album by La Oreja de Van Gogh, but "Guapa" is a close second. The band has a gift for making catchy, fun, and beautiful melodies - in other words, just great music. This album continues that tradition. The music is energetic and eclectic; you won't get bored, because it's just fun to listen to. I have been a fan since I heard "La Playa" for the first time, and am continually awed by how they are able to provide us with so many great tracks, one after another, even after 4 albums. Keep 'em coming, por favor!"
First Class Journey into LOVG's World
D. Coello | Miami, Florida | 05/15/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"One of the features that attracted me first to the music of LOVG was the deep lyrics coupled with unexpected, yet catchy melodies and rhythms. This album is not the exception and it will not disappoint you. From the inspiring ballad "Apareces Tu" to the grown-up, alternative sounding "Vuelve", the CD covers all the bases. As always, after listening to their album you feel like you've just returned from a first class journey into the mind of LOVG and Amaia's most sacred thoughts and feelings. Each song is well composed, and it's very evident that the band has taken its time to progress each composition from infancy to an euphony full of melodic and detailed arrangements. The lyrics are in perfect harmony with the music and the sequence of each song engulfs all your senses as exemplified in "Dulce Locura". Amaia Montero as always, is passionate in her interpretations.
Bottom line, the album is as good as they get. And if you're a LOVG fan, you're shamefully realizing that each project from them is slowly spoiling you with great artistry.
Buy it! I strongly recommend it.
"
Fantastic
znatic | Los Angeles, CA USA | 06/13/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"Their best album yet. Nearly every song is instantly catchy, has lush orchestration, and could be a top ten single. Straightforward pop music has fallen out of fashion in the U.S. in favor of hip-hop and Dave Matthews derivatives. I highly recommend this album to any non-Spanish-speakers who miss pop-- La Oreja shows that it is alive and kicking elsewhere in the world. It is worth the extra couple of bucks to get the DVD extra, but only if you are already a big fan. The DVD is not by any means exciting, but it gives a very intimate and touching look at how LOVG albums are made and, thankfully for those of us who can't make out the Spanish lisp at all, is subtitled in English. The first feature is a "The Making of...", which is a videocamera documentary (it's really just clips, no narrative or anything) of the band holed up at their getaway to record the album. The second is band members talking about what each of the songs are about (Vuelve is about a mother who leaves her daughter to go work abroad-- don't the lyrics make a lot more sense to you now that you know?). The last is a group interview where they each say a little bit about the album."
Amaia keeps enchanting the world with 'GUAPA'
Archangel 007 | South Florida, FL United States | 05/26/2006
(4 out of 5 stars)
"Although not the same caliber as their previous release, La Oreja de Van Gogh will certainly not disappoint as they continue their worldwide success with their fourth release "Guapa". Amaia's passionate 'entrega' or surrender to her skill is evident. This album contains many clever, eclectic new tunes that are sure to win the hearts of the Latin and Spanish-speaking world. La Oreja continues to experiment with lyrics and genres that bring a new set of catchy tunes that climax into joyful melodies and that are bound to hit the charts. To top that, they package their CD with a bonus DVD of how their artistic genius comes about, the making of this album
At first I was a bit apprehensive with the album thinking that maybe they should have let their innovative music season a bit more, but then it is evident that their ingenious and light spirited compositions are too contagious to let them season any more. If I would ask anything from La Oreja, is for them to implement more bass to their songs.
My favorites are in this order:
1)Apareces Tu - A beautiful romantic rock ballad that begins with an asian sounding intro and with exciting transitions.
2)Mi vida sin ti - a romantic ballad with 'bolero' style dramatic lyrics which progresses, develops and chameleons into an exciting disco/pop extravaganza.
3)Muñeca de trapo - this commercial hit has already peaked to the top 20 in the Latin charts, melodic and fun
4)Perdida - this song slowly progresses into a vibrant orchestration that climaxes at the last part of the song to the words 'sin ti, no sé vivir'
5)Dulce Locura - beautiful piano intro and a catchy chorus
6)Cuantos cuentos cuento - is an interesting 'ranchera' style song in the spirit of regional Mexican classics. I could picture a Rocia Durcal singing this one.
"
Muy bien
gabsterzz | California | 07/11/2006
(5 out of 5 stars)
"I loved this album very much.. the first single is awesome, sounds very rockish. The rest of the album is also very nice, it's kinda similar to their last album which is also very well put together.. I think all the oreja fans will like it.. And for those of you just getting into them it's a great way to be introduced to this great band. Love."