No Es lo Mismo

1	No Es lo Mismo 6:04
2	Hoy Llueve, Hoy Duele 4:52
3	He Sido Tan Feliz Contigo 3:52
4	Try to Save Your S'Ong 3:41
5	Eso 4:17
6	Labana 5:28
7	Sandy a Orilla Do Mundo 3:27
8	12 Por 8 4:40
9	Al Olvido Invito Yo 4:21
10	Regálame la Silla Donde Te Esperé 4:50
11	Lo Diré Bajito 4:33
12	Sí, He Cantado Mal 0:21

Barnes & Noble

Spain's Alejandro Sanz returns with his first studio album since 2000's El Alma al Aire. A lot has changed since then, for the singer, who's become a father, and the world around him. The thoughtful heartthrob has plenty to say on the No Es Lo Mismo -- It's Not the Same. Social issues and commitment are the themes here, with Sanz coming out in support of questioning authorities and their versions of the truth. "Read my lips -- I'm not for sale," he promises on the title track. Sanz casts the political in the personal, as on "Labana," the story of a Cuban boat person who struggles with the conflicting desires to flee his home and to be with his lover and family. Musically, the flamenco-meets-hip-hop title track indicates some of the surprises within. Produced by Sanz and Cuban Lulo Perez, there's a tropical streak to the songs -- boleros, sones -- all given an Iberian twist. With harder new sounds and some fierce new commentary, at least one thing's bound to be the same for this sophisticated crooner, and that's chart-topping international success with No Es Lo Mismo.

All Music Guide

From the album title (No Es lo Mismo means "it's not the same"), Alejandro Sanz is showing what this effort is all about. At first, something that was already known: he is not the same as any other Latin heartthrob like Chayanne, Emmanuel, or even Ricky Martin. He composes and produces his own material and, although not a great singer, he's a superb guitar player. Second, this album is not the same as any other Latin one. Sanz affords various topics (like social issues and commitment) not only related to love, dancing, and having a good time (probably the most common Latin stereotype). Third, this work (his first studio album since 2000's El Alma al Aire) is quite different from all the previous ones. For example in "Try to Save Your S'ong" he tries to rap, and gets some help from GQ in it. To his classic sound (Latin ballads plus flamenco), he adds hip-hop, bolero, and son flavors. The problem is that not all the things melt together smoothly. Things are more familiar in songs like "He Sido Tan Feliz Contigo" or "Eso," in which he seems to be more comfortable. Although it's not a masterpiece, it's a pretty good album by Latin pop standards. Ivan Adaime