Singer Marc Anthony's latest LP "Amar Sin Mentiras (To Love Without Lies)" debuted at the summit of the Billboard Latin albums chart, and for good reason. Easily his best album yet, it is his first album of pop songs in Spanish. He is currently recording a salsa album to be released later this summer as a sequel to "Amar Sin Mentiras," which is the reason his Nada Personal tour has been postponed until November.

Whether it is on sweeping ballads or hot uptempo tracks, Anthony's passionate, crystal-clear vocals remain pure as the waters of Caribbean. The material perfectly showcases it from the start of the opening track and lead single "Ahora Quien (Now Who)" to the very conclusion of the disc with the title track. The former, which reached #1 on Billboard's Hot Latin singles chart, features the collective talent of the London Symphony Orchestra and is a perfect introduction to Anthony's vocal prowess. A full-blown confessional ballad full of pain and longing, it is quite obvious from the onset of the album that Anthony demands attention and puts the material he sings across with great skill, regardless if you understand Spanish or not.

The title song, interestingly, comes across as extremely personal to Anthony, even though nearly the entire album was penned by the incredible Latin hitmaker Estefaño. He sings about trying to pick up the pieces of who he is and find love before time runs out, proclaiming that he wants to live and love with honesty. His ex-wife, former Miss Universe Dayanara Torres, would certainly agree that he needs brushing up in this department, and his new wife Jennifer Lopez should hope for her sake that he does. Meanwhile, she happily duets with him on "Escapemonos (Let's Escape)" from the upcoming film "Shall We Dance" which she costars in with Richard Gere. Man and wife sound excellent together, the results of natural talent and studio magic, respectively.

Various highlights include the yearning "Se Esfuma Tu Amor (Your Love Dissapears)," where the love he had once suddenly disappears with nothing left in its place, and the mystic "Volando Entre Tus Brazos," (Flying Between Your Arms) which would could very well go on to become a staple Latin wedding song. "Valió la Pena" (??? The Pain) and "Nada Personal" (Nothing Personal) also beckon the back button for repeated lessons.

Perhaps my fascination and admiration for the much-maligned "Amar Sin Mentiras" stems from the fact that my usual Latin musical diet consists of angst-ridden ballads by the sensual, ringlet-crowned Spaniard David Bisbal, or the fiery Italian Tiziano Ferro in his quieter moments. Sure, I've listened to and loved Marc Anthony's sizzling salsa persona for years, but there was something deliciously rewarding about "Amar Sin Mentiras" that I wasn't expecting based on the numerous negative critical reviews that dismissed the salsa god's first pop album as lightweight and limited.

The album opens with "Ahora Quien," an urgent, melancholy ode to the traces of a lost relationship. The melody is carried delicately by a piano and the soft sweep of strings. Next up is the much-criticized duet "Escapémos" with the new Mrs. Marc Anthony, Jennifer Lopez. The song has an old-fashioned feel and reminded me of old Mexican ballads (think Chavela Vargas or Lola Beltran). Latin guitar flits throughout, and gentle bongos and light percussion and strings add flavour without overwhelming. "Se Esfuma Tu Amor" adds elements of R&B with the layered chorus and rhythms, and Anthony's voice takes on a raw edge that sends shivers up my spine.

"Valio La Pena" makes use of R&B with the layered vocals, a mix of Latin guitar and rhythms that border on reggaeton (a genre of Puerto Rican music that blends reggae, hip hop and Puerto Rican rhythms). This is one of the more uptempo, high-energy tracks on the album. "Tu Amor Me Hace Bien" enchants with bells, guitars, and panpipes, a deliciously Peruvian ballad sung by a hoarsely passionate Anthony-you can practically see the stars in the man's eyes. This is one of my favourite tracks on the album.

"Tan Solo Palabras" verges on R&B, with its rapid-fire delivery and sensual rhythms. "Volando Entre Tus Brazos" opens with an unexpected cedar flute. Anthony's voice sounds uncannily like David Bisbal here. The chorus is layered again, slow, gentle, and dreamy. "Nada Personal" (Nothing Personal) is the most pop-radio-friendly, the chorus bringing to mind Anthony's earlier success "You Sang To Me." This song has the most "modern" sounding backing of electric guitar and synth in place of piano, acoustic guitar and strings.

"Amigo" opens with a Santanaesque electric guitar solo, and balances between the pull of strings and electric guitar. The album closes with the powerful "Amar Sin Mentiras," which sounds eerily like a Tiziano Ferro song, with its Hammond organ, piano, and a gospel choir.

The entire production is surprisingly low-key, with slower tempos, piano and strings, and dreamy Latin guitar. It does clock in on the short side, with only ten songs. In an effort to appeal to his fan base, Anthony released a salsa version of "Amar Sin Mentiras" under the title "Valio La Pena," but oddly, the blend of pop, R&B and salsa seems to work better on "Amar Sin Mentiras." This is an unexpected pleasure; romantic, passionate, and undeniably Latin.

Well, disappointed is not even the word. I was desperate for a good, solid Marc Anthony SALSA album and instead got a collection of ballads that made me gag and want to return the C.D.! Too bad once you open it you can't return it. I am forced to listen to his wonderful first 4 Spanish albums on repeat and wonder why he has forsaken us, his faithful Salsa fans. I am not taking away from the man's BEAUTIFUL voice because he can SING like no one's business. But this is absolutely not what I expected. It's like "Mended" in Spanish! And I did not particularly enjoy "Mended" either.

Right from the beginning the album drags into a slow version of "Ahora Quien" that I was hoping and praying would turn into the radio version I have been hearing (and LOVING!) lately. It didn't turn into anything but one big yawn and the following duet with J.Lo was a horrible attempt to recreate the magic of "No Me Ames".

All in all I am saddened that such a spectacular voice has been reduced to this atrocious album that does in fact showcase his phenomenal voice (but then he could sing the "Z-100" Z morning zoo thing and it would sound great! lol) but doesn't give his Latin fans what we have been dying for since the too short "Libre" came out. May he rethink the whole ballad thing and go back to his roots of salsa and heartfelt songs before he becomes an artist that you say, 'oh, I liked his first few things but then I don't know what happened.'

Marc I love, love, love you but you need to step up to the plate, BORIQUA, or I may just be a fan in spirit and not actually listen to you.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinion... some of us love it some of you hate it. I am a devoted Marc fan and have been for many years. I love his music... no matter what he sings, whether it be salsa, ballads, pop... whatever - he sings the hell out of it! I went out and bought this CD the day it went on sale. I knew that this CD was going to be a latin pop album so maybe that is why some of you are disappointed. Many of you were expecting this to be a salsa album, but that one doesn't come out until late this summer. Give this CD a chance. Personally, I like it better than his 'Mended' CD. His voice is awesome! I was lucky enough to win tickets to his private concert down on South Beach 2 weeks ago. I was in the front row with my best friend. He was on stage for an hour - 9 songs. He opened with the ballad version of 'Ahora Quien'. Later he went on to sing more of his popular songs, in between all of that he sang 2 more songs off the new pop album... 'Tu Amor Me Hace Bien', and 'Valio la Pena' but he sang the salsa versions of them. They were great! He is awesome! If you truly love Marc for who he is then you will not be disappointed in this CD. I can't wait for the Salsa CD to come out it will be the BOMB!!!!!!!!!

Let me start off by saying that there's nothing wrong with Marc Anthony expanding is artistic horizon. But a spanish POP cd...give me a break. On top of that, there all ballads. I waited this long for probably 2, maybe 3 decent songs. Number 1 "ahora quien", number 3 "se esiuma tu amor" and number 4 "valio a pena" are pretty good. Finally, people get off your high horse, there is nothing wrong with being a "true" Marc Anthony fan and being critical of his work.