Title: Hear it for what it is
Product review: ... and what it is: a mixed bag. This isn't a bad album, but it's also not likely to convert anyone to listen to more Latin American music, which is too bad: like several of Jon's 90s albums, he appropriates an existing style without really seeming to have captured the spirit.Personally, I'd give this about 2.5 stars. I don't fault Jon for trying to do "world music"; it's not far from the spirit he has always pursued, and seems more obviously a natural fit than David Byrne making REI MOMO. But Byrne succeeded by simply grafting his lyrics onto a different style of dance music than he had previously done; Jon struggled, possibly because he was never a composer of dance music in the first place. The result is largely more pleasant than compelling.2.5 stars would be about right: a few performances you'll want to hear again, and the rest agreeably bland. Just don't listen to it after REI MOMO, which will probably make you want to buy more real merengue
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