Ricky Martin proves himself an extremely versatile artist via the diversity of in his 2nd English album. Gallantly riding the Latino hype, Ricky shows us the sensuously delicious side of Latino music.

1. She Bangs: already a huge hit, you gotta get up and dance! 2. Saint Tropez: seductive melody that sweeps you off your feet 3. Come to me: Ricky's silky voice brings a rare finess 4. Loaded: you can really rock till you drop with this one 5. Nobody wants to be lonely: irresitible slow songs (like Casi un Bolero) truly accentuates Ricky's wistful side 6. Amor: Latina at her best, the orchestration is suave 7. Jezabel: best example of Ricky's dangerous woman theory, hypnotizing and elusive 8. The touch: one of the weaker tracks, BSB romantic enough 9. One night man: the Arabic chants add such a zing to the album, demonstrates Ricky's extraordinary range 10.She bangs (spanish): knowledge of Spanish really helps 11.Are you in it for love: I think we are in it for the witty metaphores 12.Ven a mi: spanish version of Come to Me 13.If you ever saw her: exciting but weak 14.Dame mas: spanish version of Loaded 15.Cambia la piel: this song's got everything, from authentic Latino beat to salsa rhythm

I'm a huge fan of Ricky Martin and have seen him twice now in concert. His is the kind of fun, hot, get-up-and-move music that's been missing (in my opinion) in recent years. His English debut, Ricky Martin, has been played so often in my stereo that it's starting to melt under its own primal heat.

That said, I didn't enjoy Sound Loaded as much as I'd hoped. When I first bought it, I hated it; the songs are too forced, the lyrics meaningless, and Ricky---who was flying here there and everywhere for concerts while recording the album---sounded tired and a little voice-strained.

But I kept playing it. And soon, I was singing along with it. And dancing to it. And having a good time doing all of the above. This is an album that grows on you, particularly so once you let go of what you think it should be and play it for what it is---a lot of fun. It's not serious art; it's about shaking your...well, you know. Songs like "She Bangs" and "Loaded" are standouts, as are "One Night Man" and "The Touch." One of my favorites is "Are You in it for Love."

The problems that struck me on the first listen are still there, but over time, it starts to work. If you're a die-hard fan, definitely pick up Sound Loaded. If you're new to Ricky, though, I recommend starting with his English-language debut. Better yet, save your money for his next tour---He puts on a fabulous show.

SOUND LOADED has to be one of Ricky Martin's best albums. Next to his '98 smash VUELVE, this has to be the best. It is a tremendous improvement over his last self-titled album. Songs like "Saint Tropez" "Come to Me" and "Nobody Wants to be Lonely" are some of the best ballads he has ever made, while songs like "She Bangs" "Loaded" "Amor" and "Cambia la Piel" just fill you with energy and emotion. SOUND LOADED is all in all, an incredible album.

I recommend this album to anybody. Whether your a Ricky Martin fan or not, you'll still love this album. And if you want an album that is just as great as this one if not better, I suggest you buy Ricky's 1998 album VUELVE. It is a truly amazing album and you will love it even if you don't speak Spanish.

This sophomore English effort by the Latin Prince of Pop very much befits its title. It's sound-loaded alright. At times a bit too noisy but hey, this is Latin music. It's supposed to be noisy. And brassy. And full of sex, sex, sex. Wake up, all you prudes. It's the new millenium already and this is Ricky Martin back to heighten your pleasure. So listen up!

At first listen, one might be inclined to think that this is not the Ricky one thought one knew. Well, this is perhaps partly due to a signicficant reduction in Robi Rosa's contribution. While Robi is still credited in the album's production, he only pens five of the baker's dozen different songs (spanish versions notwithstanding) including the ubiquitious 'She Bangs'. Ah yes. The sexy first single. Well, it's already all over radio and if you haven't heard it yet, well, where are you? The South Pole? By the way, what does she bang anyway?

So, this has a decidedly more Latin feel to it. Think of it as a redemption album from Ricky. If you (longtime) fans of Ricky were less than excited about his debut English album, well, here's the album that he should have released first. It definitely is a more focused work, with more samba, salsa and sass.

'Ricky Martin', while it was a good 'first effort', tried to cover too many bases in its effort to rope in as many demographics as possible. Hence it actually sounded more like a musical equivalent of a salad - everything in one without being anything in particular. Well, this time around, Ricky throws caution to the wind as he introduces us gringos to the more wilder side of Latin music especially in Saint Tropez, Jezabel and Amor (whose arrangement sounds uncannily like Santana's 'Smooth'). Oh, and look for the Arabian-infused 'One Night Man'. I can't help but be reminded of the fabulous 'Ojos Asi' by Shakira. Really quite a gem.

There are less ballads this time around, for better or for worse. The three that ARE included do redeem themselves quite well, especially `The Touch'. As usual Ricky sings 'em with overflowing emotions so that even if the lyrics are really quite cliched, you won't mind it one bit. It is, after all, Ricky Martin. :-)

And as in the debut album, there are a few Spanish versions of some of the English songs namely She Bangs, Ven A Mí (Come To Me), and Dame Más (Loaded). And of course, they sound so much better in spanish even if they are the exact same songs arrangement-wise. There is also an extra Spanish track 'Cambia La Piel'. Is it teaser for an upcoming spanish album? One can only hope and wait.

In conclusion, to address a few anxious concerns,here's my closing remarks. Is the album any good? Yes! It's a more mature work, one with more substance and none of that bon-bon shaking nonsense. In fact, I will not be surprised if it wins a few awards come Grammy night 2002. (The release date, as I understand, is way past the eligibility dateline for Grammy 2001). And, no, there is no duet with George Michael or Elton John. Which is rather disappointing, as I am sure the resulting work would surely have been groundbreaking, or at the very least, sound loaded.

After the spanish language album "Vuelve", Ricky Martin, one of today's most popular performers, really grabbed the world's attention with his single "Livin' La Vida Loca" and then his first english language album, simply titled "Ricky Martin". Now, he's back for more. A step up from "Ricky Martin", "Sound Loaded" is a funky mixture of pop, balladry and latino-style dance. The album opens with the catchy and sexy themed hit "She Bangs", which no doubt most people have heard and it certainly sets up the album. Not wasting any time, the second track "Saint Tropez", is another funky dance mix, slightly toned down, about a town thats not a place for good girls - as Ricky wails on. Much like his former single "She's All I Ever Had", the third track "Come To Me", mixes the same feel for a sweet but not all together satisfying ballad. "Loaded", the latest released single, and by far the hottest and funkiest on this album is an upbeat dance-floor friendly pop/latin mix that will have you shaking your bon bon in no time. "Nobody Wants To Lonely" follows and unfortunately blonde latin hottie Christina Aguilera is nowhere to be heard, as this is the original version. Much slower and laced with a spanish guitar, it is still nice to listen to, but nowhere near as good as his duet with Aguilera. "Amor" and "Jezabel" follow, botha are up-beat latin tracks that should appeal. "Amor" has a slight Santana feel to it, whilst "Jezabel" continues the sex-theme pop, where "She Bangs" left off. "The Touch", a ballad written by hit songwriter Diane Warren, is the kinda track that should only be listened to with large breaks in between, as its duration and tempo aren't competely satisfying. "One Night Man", "She Bangs (Spanish Version)" and "Are You In It For Love" are all upbeat songs, but arent catching Ricky at his best. "Ven A Mi" is the spanish take on "Come To Me". "If You Ever Saw Her" and "Dame Mas (Loaded)" are nothing special, and seem more like filler tracks. To finish off "Sound Loaded", is the track "Cambia La Piel", the only original spanish tune on the album which, although exceeding 5 minutes, is one of the best tracks.