Ricky Martin: Life : Music Reviews : Rolling Stone

Album Reviews

Remember that brief moment between Ricky Martin's showstopping 1999 Grammy performance of "The Cup of Life" and the first few hundred spins of "Livin' La Vida Loca" when he put his past in Menudo behind him once and for all? Ushering in a Latin crossover trend that soon became overcommercialized, Martin went for mindless catchphrases on cringe-inducing follow-ups like "She Bangs." Following 2003's slick attempt to appease his Latin fan base with Almas del Silencio, Martin's first English-language album in five years aims to update the singer's hyperactive pop with trendy reggaeton rhythms, but the result is a scattered mess that spews indiscriminate polish and calculated grit over hackneyed material. Initial single "I Don't Care" may feature Fat Joe and Amerie, but a minuscule melody renders Martin nearly irrelevant on his own record. Mixing bombastic rock, cornball dance cuts and crocodile-tears-dripping ballads, Life seems destined for a speedy death.

BARRY WALTERS

(Posted: Oct 20, 2005)

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Give us your review of Life

Review 1 of 6

5of 5 Stars

Ricky has moved on since shakin' his bon bon and livin la vida loca...this is Ricky Martin at his best...the man he is now, the music he wrote himself, the magic I love to feel. Listen and just "let it flow...let it all go"!

Feb 18, 2006 14:33:49

Review 2 of 6

5of 5 Stars

Ricky Martin's LIFE CD is the best. I give it all 5 stars. He poured his heart and soul into this CD & I for one have all of the copies to this album.

Feb 17, 2006 05:35:48

Review 3 of 6

5of 5 Stars

I love LIFE,it's cool.
Yapaula

Feb 1, 2006 08:00:05

Review 4 of 6

5of 5 Stars

Hello, it enchants the CD to me because he is very versatile and it's not repetitive, now everybody does reggaeton and puts Arab music, but this CD is very good and original; I really like it and Ricky wanted to express himself of that form since time ago; after a time he obtained it, I feel that it express exactly what he wanted and thought. It enchants to me and I put 500 stars to him, five are very few!

Jan 30, 2006 10:02:59

Review 5 of 6

5of 5 Stars

Jan 30, 2006 10:02:59

Review 6 of 6

5of 5 Stars

Ricky Martin's new CD LIFE is absolutely amazing! The different combination of sounds and tracks selected for the CD are great! LIFE is by far the BEST English language CD that Ricky has recorded thus far. Ricky is truly an amazing singer; which is evident on every song from LIFE. I would reccommend this CD to everyone. Way to go Ricky!

Jan 30, 2006 08:17:34

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