Words don't come easily

Let me preface this by saying that if you are at all interested in the new Magnus Carlsson album, you should check out the comments in the post below this one because Alexander has not only posted a better version of "Waves Of Love," he's also posted the wow-this-is-brilliant "Crazy Summer Nights." This album cannot get here soon enough...

So, I cracked. I listed to the Enrique Iglesias album ahead of time. I've never seen him as the most consistent artist, but when he's on, he's really on, and he can produce some great pop songs. "Do You Know (The Ping Pong Song)" is still great, still probably my favorite song of the summer, and the video, even if it could use one more situation (things like that work better in threes) must appeal exactly to my sense of humor (which is a little scary, given that it involves death) because I burst out laughing each time it comes on. I still don't think I've heard the single on American radio even once, but, much as I'd love to see it conquer the world, the U.S. (or the Billboard top 40) is not the be all and end all of his market, I guess.

It's too early to assess the whole album (this will be just random thoughts), but I'm already pretty sure the most "what on Earth"?/hate it song will be "Push," the hip-hop influenced collaboration with Lil Wayne. Well, I could do without Lil Wayne's rapping, but I do like it (though not love it--it's nowhere near my favorite song on the album--and I'm glad it's the only one of its sort). Possibly just for the squawky way he says "girl." Then again, I love Usher's "Yeah," so I'm at least open to that sort of music. I know, it's very :-/ If anything bothers me, it's the title "On Top Of You." I mean, really? I get the sense Enrique has a sense of humor, so I expected something with a title that ridiculous to end up as a joke, one of those "let's find a way to work that phrase into the song so that in context it sounds innocuous even though we all know it's really..." sort of things, but it's played completely straight and sincere (though I still think it's tongue-in-cheek).

I really like "Ring My Bells" but every time I hear it now I think of that Tommy Hilfiger commercial (which it was perfect for). It sounds very cool, both in the sense that it doesn't have the cute exuberance of "Do You Know" and it's a little icy, glistening. It's a very good opening track, because that's what it sounds like: an introduction...which is probably why it works for the commercial so well.

I haven't even listened to all the songs on the album yet, so I may be overlooking an absolutely amazing song near the album's end, but the two songs I found myself deciding between for today were "Tired Of Being Sorry" and "Wish I Was Your Lover." Both pop, both more "typical Enrique"-sounding, and a close call--but ultimately, one won out.

Wish I Was Your Lover--"Tired Of Being Sorry" is more upbeat and I listen to it just about as much as "Wish I Was Your Lover," but something helped give "Wish I Was Your Lover" a slight edge. Maybe those strings (or string-like effect)--I love strings used as punctuation in poppy songs. Love the ending, as well. The song is sort of a midway point between the pop of "Do You Know" and that more glistening feel, less exuberant, that "Ring My Bells" has. Enrique does desperation so well--he always sounds like he's on the verge of a breakdown, doesn't he? This song doesn't find him quite so at the brink, though, despite the subject; there's less trembling in his voice. Despite all the production going on, though, the smoothness of this song, there's always something about his voice that sounds very...raw. Intimate, maybe.

You can preorder Enrique Iglesias's new album Insomniac (due out next week or the week after that, I think, depending on where you live) here (physical) or here (digital). It's also going to be available in iTunes stores around the world.

Next up: I'm not sure...maybe another Spanish artist.