Shakira - Laundry Service

I know, I'm behind the times. I have listened to Shakira since she broke into the American music scene but only just now got around to buying this album.

I've heard and read about tons of people who complain she's too commercial on this album. Fine, it's pop. Meaning popular.

Still, even if you're distracted by that there's no doubt that her voice is haunting. Just freaking awesome. She stands out.

I plan on getting most her other albums over time. This one is a lot fun to listen too.

...but unfortunately, Shakira will not be around for the long-haul. She simply is unable to get outside of her niche and find a new voice. Her market was established with her unique break between her vocal registers, and since that is the only sound she is able to sing with, her popularity is virtually dead.

Even if she were to change her style, there would be little hope for her, since her voice is not outstanding. However, she will be remembered as one that helped to open the doors of American music to the music of the world. She did a wonderful job, and will remain an icon for it. Her best bet now is to come out with clothing and cologne lines to make her money... or start producing!

Best advice... keep those song licenses close to you, girl. Covers are gonna bring you a lot of cash!

A great intro to Shakira's voice and muscial style. It also shows her growth compared to where she is today.

When I first heard this album, it took me a while to adjust to Shakira's distinctive bent, edgy intonation and raw yowling, along with pure, unbridled passion. The year was 2001. Shakira Mebarek had already spent years as a well-known singer/songwriter in Mexico, Central and South America. It was time that the Yanquis get acquainted with her [i.e. music lovers in the United States]. So, Shakira penned her English-language debut, LAUNDRY SERVICE [later released as SERVICIO DE LAVANDERIA, to her Spanish-speaking audience]. Her combination of Latin, rock and Arabic rhythms proved just as infectious in English (one of the three languages she speaks fluently) as in Spanish.

Some of the best songs on this album include "Objection [Tango]," with a Spanish version "Te Aviso, Te Anuncio," and "Whenever, Wherever," with it's spanish counterpart, "Suerte." What's more, Shakira showed her range as a soulful pop singer in slower ballads like "Underneath Your Clothes," and "The One." What's more, who can forget her sultry, sexy "Que Me Quedes Tu"? This intelligent and accomplished singer [then twenty-four years old] showed us her singing chops and her true ability to connect audiences of all backgrounds and lanaguages together with her tunes. Though, I must say that, if pressed, her best album by far is DONDE ESTAN LOS LADRONES? [her 1998 release], LAUNDRY SERVICE is a very appealing CD to own. I definitely reccomend it, six years later.

i have been a shakira fan long before she decided to crossover to the american market and this is an excellent way to do so....i love hearing the english version of ojos asi and getting to know shakira in a different light and by knowing all the words she's singing and the meaning behind them.

Shakira siempre fue mi artista latina favorita; es increible lo que alguien con gran talento puede hacer cuando tiene una gran confianza en si mismo y gente que lo apoye y crea en el; este es para mi el mejor disco de Shakira, donde ella lo ha entregado practicamente todo; canciones como TANGO, SUERTE (WHENEVER) y TE DEJO MADRID son autenticos bombazos de puro rock; lindas baladas como UNDERNEATH YOUR CLOTHES, YOU'RE THE ONE, melodias pop impresionantes como FOOL, QUE ME QUEDES TU, en total, y hasta musica al puro estilo hindu como EYES LIKE YOURS; este disco es indispensable para no solo los fans de Shakira, sino para todo fan del pop en general (por cierto, que bien pronuncia el idioma ingles).

I really don't care much for pop music, much less latin pop music when that crossover explosion happened (which I completely blame on Ricky Martin for creating) but I'll make an exception with Shakira's "Laundry Service". The first time I actually heard her music was when the music video for "Whatever, Whenever" came out six years ago. The song was pure ear candy with its infectious pop hooks. So I eventually bought Shakira's "Laundry Service". Much to my surprise I actually enjoyed the cd. The music is filled with catchy pop/rock hooks without being overly polished. I think the songwriting is kinda weak and at times silly. I thought Shakira sounds the best singing in her native tongue than in english but that's just me. Another flaw is Shakira's vocals which is somewhat shrill at times but otherwise this album is a fun, guilty pleasure of mine.

This is an excellent first English Language disc by an artist who was already well established in the Latin world. The rock sounds are here especially with Underneath Your Clothes, which sounds a lot like Aerosmith's Dream On. Those of you who enjoyed her superior prior works (Pies Descalzo and Donde Estan Los Ladrones) may be a little disappointed in the commerical direction that this one went (take the pop candy song Whenever). Also some of the English lyrics are really non-sensical and we are not sure what the title Laundry Service has to do with anything on the disc. This is what prevented me from giving the disc 5 stars. Shakira has a good sense for great sound and music is her strong point over lyrics. But her Lebonese roots engrained in many of her sounds gives her music a unique feel to it that will keep her as a megastar for many years to come!

Like a new toy or a brand new pair of shoes Colombia-born and bred superstar Shakira is just as likable and irresistible on Laundry. Despite having never spoken English before making this disc she sounds quite adept singing it, as evident in lead single "Whenever, Wherever," by far the best song on record. This unique blend of Latin rhythms and Middle East-influenced instrumentation isn't just heard in the smash aforementioned lead single--it echoes throughout the entire disc. From the thundering tango opener "Objection" to the soft-and-soaring "Underneath" Shakira bleats her Latin heart out over great tracks like "Rules," "Ready," "Fool," "Te Dejo Madrid" and the English-language version of "Ojos Asi" (Shakira's big international hit) known here as "Eyes Like Yours." "Suerte" and "Te Aviso, Te Anuncio" ("Whenever, Wherever" and "Objection," respectively) are presented as bonuses in Shakira's native Spanish, and sound just as good, if not a little better (since the performer sounds more comfortable, and understandly so). There's a slight misstep here and there, but overall Laundry is arguably the best Latin-tinged album since Selena's last.

The looks, the voice...not to mention the content of the CD. Great fun.

frist off i been knowing shakira since 2000 i was in the ninth grade i know she trying to hard she made it there have been other crossovers who have try and failed liked (kyile minouge bjork and rebecca st james) all thesse artists have failed to made a break throught in the us the only one has made in the usa. is here i know her voice sound a little to high but what i am saying she made mrs dion all made a break throught in 97 so give the girl a break. people will have to get use to her voice and she major star in south american she did better than janet jackson and mariah carey even that their low point mariah cameback but she didn,t made strong comeback .

Shakira was right to call this "Laundry Service". Hearing the opening number "Objection" always makes me feel like I just bought this CD yesterday. This my first and only Shakira CD with English and it is refreshing to hear it every time. She has her fair share of hits on here that I can surely hear over and over, like "Whenever, Wherever" and "Eyes Like Yours". This is a pretty unusual crossover CD, containing both English and her native Spanish. Clearly, she finds it easier in her own language, evident in songs like "Suerte" and "Que Me Quedes Tu". Her English is a bit choppy, but people won't buy music from a Spanish singer to bask in their English. Her voice makes it difficult to listen sometimes, as in "Underneath Your Clothes" and "The One", and I feel that "Fool" and "Poem to a Horse" are positioned well yet often overlooked as many Shakira fans are lured to more her scantily clad dance videos than rocking songs about how her "heart is sore". As for me, I hope that the clothes in this cycle never dry out!

Where do I start? This is awful. "Underneath Your Clothes" sounds too much like Alanis Morrisette's "Head Over Feet." "Whenever, Wherever" sounds much better in the Spanish-version "Suerte" and the video to that was alright. The rest of the songs sound like 1980's leftovers retrieved from the trash. Other than that, Shakira sounds absolutely dreadful. It's like hearing someone scratching their nails down a chalkboard. This chick doesn't know if she wants to emulate Jewel, Alanis Morrisette, or Britney Spears. But I guess she was like, "F*** it! I'll sound like all three!" and all you get is chaos. You can't even tell what kind of emotion Shakira is trying to express in a song because her voice is so messed up. "Laundry Service" sucks and "Oral Fixation" Vol. 1 and 2 are even worse. Shakira's easy on the eyes but she's killer on the ears. She needs to dye her back to its original black color and take some singing lessons.

In her unmissable CD 'Laundry Service', Shakira kicks off with 3 of her best and best known tracks; 'Objection', 'Underneath Your Clothes' and 'Whenever, Wherever'. The second and third tracks of the album show the large variety of music that Shakira can make her own. She is able to move seemlessly from the beautiful and more toned down 'Underneath Your Clothes' to the fantastically infectious 'Whenever, Wherever' without breaking stride.

One or two less impressive tracks in the middle of the album such as 'Ready for the Good Times' and 'Fool' are more than made up for when Shakira switches to Spanish from 'Te Dejo Madrid' onwards. It would seem that Shakira benefits from singing in her native language, as her voice sounds a little more at home on Spanish tracks such as 'Que Me Quedes Tu' and the excellent 'Suerte'. Indeed I would urge Shakira fans to buy 'Fijacion Oral', the original Spanish version of her new album as it is definitely one to try out.

Overall 'Laundry Service' is an album for anyone who likes passion, energy and soul in their music and is an excellent listen.

Shakira's first crossover CD does not disappoint. With almost every track becoming a favorite of mine this CD get you up and moving and at the very least makes time race by on the treadmill. I highly recommend this CD for anyone who likes lively, interesting and compelling music. Writing this CD before she spoke English, Shakira has proven that she not only has talent but a keen sense of the spoken word. Using a dictionary to look up the words she has put spice back into a lackluster music world.

I must say, this is a great disc to have in your collection. I love singing to it (I got a lot of my Spanish knowledge from her songs!) and making up belly dance moves to it as well. And Shakira is drop-dead gorgeous.
Sometimes her voice sounds weird. Like she kind of hits the right note, but it's not the right note, kind of....
this is a definite staple in my CD book. I will never get tired of it. Thank you mom for buying this!

No matter what your style of music is, get it or regret it! Shakira's voice is AWSOME and all the songs have a dirrent kind of style. It's got really catchy songs which will keep you singing your head off all day - and night!! Get it!

Great variety of tempos and beats. Fabulous music and singing. I would rate this in my top 10 favorites ever.

I thought it had a great mix of contemporary sounds and spanish love songs.Am still enjoying the tunes.

Laundry Service is Shakira's first release in her career of commercial success. She's had several albums to this point, but the phenomenon from Columbia has stepped away from her Spanish language music and made quite the impression on American audiences and English speaking music fans. The late Selena was slated to do this just before her untimely murder in 1995, and perhaps Shakira is enjoying the success that Selena would have had, as well as following the legacy formed by Selena in the music business.

Shakira is quite unique. She's certainly not another pop music one hit wonder which appeals to teen audiences of Britney Spears. She's not a modern day Spice Girl or Debbie Gibson. She's not even another Alanis Morrisette, although that's the artist that I have most often seen her compared to. Shakira takes the best elements of pop music, dance, tango, Spanish cumbia, alternative rock, and electronica. She combines them all into a music that is totally her own. I'm truly amazed at her work on this album, as she hasn't abandoned her Columbian roots at all as she has embraced the American music scene. She's successful without selling out.

"Objection (Tango)" starts this album off. Yes, it begins as a traditional tango, not that I'm an expert of that music of course. Then the drums kick in, and a guitar joins her voice as the song evolves to a danceable, toe tapping melody. The voice could belong to Alanis, in some spots, but I feel Shakira has more range in her voice. She's sexy, provocative, and intriguing while remaining crystal clear in her delivery, and above all, true to the soul of her music.

The next track is "Underneath Your Clothes," a riveting ballad. Shakira shows us in just two songs that she's not a one dimensional performer. Her voice is near perfect as she croons like the best of them. The guitar work is subtle but essential, keeping the song on track while allowing Shakira's voice to have center stage. Running with highs and lows in her voice, Shakira fills this one with emotion, and the listener can't deny the heart tugging it will produce.

"You're a song
written by the hands of God
don't get me wrong cause
this might sound to you a bit odd
but you own the place
where all my thoughts go hiding
and right under your clothes
is where I find them"

Double meaning, just like I love a good lyric. This is one of those tunes that's romantic and heartfelt, yet still has just a hint at intimacy. Wow.

The next tune was probably the most recognizable hit from the album: "Whenever, Wherever". Ok, this is where Shakira has fun. She picks up the beat again, and it is impossible not to move along in response to this one. It will make you wanna dance, it will make you wanna grind. It will make even the most uncoordinated soulless stiff shake a groove like Janet Jackson. It's a dance song, with enough Spanish influence to give it a fresh new feel. Her voice? Simply incredible. She rolls over the lyrics at a fast pace, keeping it clear and hitting the different ranges, going at a quick pace that certainly doesn't let the listener even consider falling behind.

"Rules" is a good song, continuing a level of consistency Shakira started in the first track. "The One" could be a hit on its own. Another ballad, this one lures the listener into a state of relaxation, while triggering the feelings of passion that might otherwise lag behind. It's even better than "Underneath Your Clothes" in its effect.

"Ready for the Good Times." Well, no doubt here. Shakira is not only ready to conquer the pop-rock world as she already has the Latin music genre, but she's having a blast doing so. So are we as we go along for the ride with her. The music is arranged perfectly on this one as well. This might be more "pop" oriented than some of the other ones, but it's still flawless. The instrumentation is truly an art all its own. (Shakira does co-write most of her own music, as well as pen almost all of her lyrics).

"Fool" slows it down just a tad, and it is probably here that she sounds the most like Alanis. One can definitely hear the influence at least. "Poem to a Horse" gets some horns involved at the onset, but then slows down to a slowly moving pulse. The rhythm here takes a turn which reminds me of Depeche Mode, while keeping the comparisons vocally to Ms. Morrisette.

"Eyes Like Yours (Ojos Así)". Here we go, a new direction yet again. Could this star from Columbia be venturing in the direction of the Middle East? Perhaps Shakira is the second coming of Sherezade". Her story is one that is impossible to deny, and with each song I hear, I want just a little more, prolonging the moment where I'd have to turn the music off. The lyrics are alternating English and Spanish. It's sometimes hard to remember what culture you're in while listening, but it doesn't matter.

This cd is amazing, from the first note of tango all the way thru to the final one. A Spanish lyric version of "Objection (Tango)" finishes the album off, right after a Spanish version of "Whenever, Wherever". Now, as much as I just praised the English versions of these songs, the Spanish versions are even better. Her voice fits the Spanish language, being her native tongue, and her comfort with it makes the difference. It's natural, and the Spanish language has such a sexy flow to it, her voice truly brings all of that quality out into song.

There are two other Spanish songs which appear on Laundry Service. "Te Dejo Madrid" and "Que Me Quedes Tú." "Que Me" starts off with strings that could be R.E.M. at their best, then Shakira's voice slips over the top of the song like soft seductive silk. Her voice while using English is hypnotic and flawless. In Spanish, her voice is angelic, wrapping the listener up in a state of comfort and relaxation. "Te Dejo Madrid" is not as powerful, but just as consistent as the rest of the work on this cd.

That's all I have to say: great songs! Just bought this CD? I suggest listening to track 8 first. Then go on to tracks 6, 3/12, and 1/13. At least those are my favourites. But all of them are great (I know I'm saying that a lot!)

I'm a big Shakira fan as you probably don't know. I would totally rat a tat tat it, and that is what I'm talking about. I'm biligual and smoother than a fresh stretch of assfault. Shaq's voice is really good and did I mention she is a tasy morsel. Give to me some Shakira and coke.

Speaking of laundry, I've got to break things down on the laundromat tip for my peeps. I was in Murfreesboro over the weekend headlining a show with my faster pussycat cover band, rapido kitty. You should see the crowd when I belt out "house of pain" with Kroll shredding guitar, Burns playing keyboard like he's playing it to stop a natural disaster and Jabs putting on a drum display so good they should just freeze him, ship him to Cleveland and make him an exhibit on how to play the drums at the Rock n' roll hall of fame. We have a tour bus with some bad ass cat paintings on it. Anyway, we partied with a bunch of cover model type women until the wee hours of the morning and my clothes smelled like a combo of bourbon, chicken wings and women.

So we head to Duds and Suds to do some laundry. Women were lined up at the door because they heard we'd be doing some laundry there. Well, the kid running the place, Ted, opened up and got the machines ready. At that point, Ted snapped into form. He started playing his purple gameboy behind the counter while eating some Mickey Ds. He evidentally thought some of our groupies were hot and felt the need to go to uber dork mode to hit on one of them. He actually started off by saying, "Have you played the Xbox 360? Madden is awesome, you can give your players IQ tests and everything." It was time for us to step in. Jabs just walked over and called the kid the largest tool he had ever seen in his life and told him that if he didn't quit bothering Sarah, he would throw the kid in a washing machine and start. Ted apologized and said he would leave us alone. I personally didn't like the face he made when he said it, so I crane kicked him into the counter. Sarah and I then handled business on the counter while Ted was bawling because he stepped on his gameboy and broke it. People like Ted deserve that kind of treatment. We are the Heisman and Ted is the towel boy for Kst.

I never knew who Shakira was until she released Whenever, Wherever yet I didn't mind. She had a strong voice but I found the song to be bland and not very original. But with the more singles she released I started liking some of them and figured the CD might be okay. Not until about a month ago did I finally find it for the price I was willing to pay ($5.99), I was still reluctant to get it though. When I listened to it for the first time I wasn't impressed, and I'm still not. I do think she has the strongest, most distinctive voice pop music has seen in years, but that's all a lot of the songs on here have going for them. My opinion might be derived from the fact that I don't much care for it when an artist makes a CD part English and part Spanish. Yet still, this is a good attempt at freshening up a genre that needed it desperately.

Objection (Tango) is a good song, the music is kind of corny but it works for this type of song. The lyrics are pretty spiteful and well presented vocally so it is worth a listen. Underneath Your Clothes, however sexual the title is, is a very good ballad. Shakira can do upbeat dance-esque tracks well, but I think the slower songs are where she truly shines. Underneath Your Clothes shows Shakira at her strongest, vocally and lyrically, so this is in every right a highlight. Rules is a nice rebound track after Whenever, Wherever. Rules might also be the poppiest song on here, where only the chorus really makes an impact. The One is reason enough to buy this CD, and is the song that eventually suckered me into getting it. Yes, The One is a sappy love song, but it has a decidedly rock edge to it and Shakira's voice sounds heartbroken enough to pull off the lyrics, yet strong enough to carry the song above and beyond. The One is without a doubt my favorite song on Laundry Service. Ready For The Good Times is a shout out back to the early to mid 90s pop music. Much like Ashlee Simpson's new CD beckons to the 80s fairly successfully, Shakira's attempt at reaching out to a different musical time is a much welcomed treat. Fool rounds out the decent to good songs this CD has to offer, topheavy indeed. Fool is a catchy, good song with a chorus that will be stuck in your head for days. It seems like either Shakira or Epic wanted to put the English songs first and then the Spanish songs afterwards, which was a bad idea. Poem To A Horse is unfairly lumped in the bad section of this CD however. It is a good song and, having this CD been divided up like it is, should've been at the beginning. These are all my opinions though, they shouldn't be taken too seriously, just trust me when I say if you're like me and only listen to pop music on occassion that this CD might not be for you.

My favorite songs on here are Objection (Tango), Underneath Your Clothes, The One, Fool, and Poem To A Horse. I won't deny that Laundry Service isn't a good CD full of catchy songs and lush vocals, but I've never been a fan of foreign languages in my music. I do realize that Shakira is merely embracing her roots though, so I do admire that. Basically, if you can't handle Spanish songs mixed with English songs, this isn't a CD you'll want.

Shakira's 2001 release, Laundry Service is the perfect transition from Latin music Icon, to American music idol. As a person of Spanish ancestry I can easily understand her Spanish lyrics. Included are the American radio hits, and some more beautiful Spanish ballads. On "Eyes like yours" Shakira collaborates with Gloria Estefan and creates an upbeat techno type song. There are many Spanish (Spain) influenced songs on this album which creates a wonderful feeling. Shakira writes all of her own songs, and produces them as well. We need more musicians such as herself in the United States.