Rarely do I come across a CD that's as good as this one. Perhaps this is the year of the comeback, though I don't consider Ricky Martin having really gone anywhere. First of all, this isn't "Ricky Martin" and it isn't "Sound Loaded." "Life" takes Martin to an entirely new level. At first, it's hard to accept him as anything beyond the whole "shake your bon-bon" or "she bangs" box. Yet, Martin sheds that commerical latin pop sound and moves in a new direction. It's edgier, it's adult, it's modern, and it has a sound that can't really placed or described. If I tried, I'd say international.

There are so many good tracks that if there are filler tracks, they don't stand out. The tracks that work best, for me at least, are the reggaeton-sounding ones. "I Don't Care" doesn't represent the entire album, but it simply represents Martin going in a new direction musically. "I Am" is a great track, for example, that's sexual but not over the top. Simple beat, very un-Ricky Martin. Other great tracks are "This is Good," the ballad "Stop Time Tonight" and the amazingly and sinfully good "Drop it on Me" featuring Daddy Yankee.

This CD is surprising, simply because I expected this album to sound like the other two english releases. This CD hasn't been given the right promotion or attention. People are ready to write off Ricky Martin but if you listen to this, believe me, you'll be pleasantly surprised to hear his more grown up and edgier sound. This is one of my top picks of the year, an album I'd really encourage folks to get out and get along with a hit like Mariah Carey's "Emancipation of Mimi." Buy this CD, you won't be disapointed and your money will be well spent.

Ricky Martin is a phenomenal singer. His latin albums are stunningly good (his most recent spanish language one was the bomb) and his english albums are also generally good. A flaw from the english sets were sometimes mediocre lyrics set to stunning upbeat beats.
With "Life" Ricky Martin injects just that into his music. Where his previous efforts were strictly pop and latino influenced projects, this album boasts more influence from the hip hop genre as well as some lush middle eastern accents. The pop and latino influences are still present and accounted for but they generously share the spot light with new styles. Even though it seems to be a trend that everyone and their mama either tries to incorperate hip hop or angst rock into their styles, Ricky Martin has found a way to make it all seem fresh and new.
"Till I Get To You" opens this album and while it is no "Vida Loca" or "She Bangs" it is a wonderful indication of the direction the album will be traveling in. A mid-tempo gem with middle eastern accents highlighting the melodies and his stunning voice.
"I Won't Desert You" features a woman chanting in middle eastern dialect and again carries on the accents of the orient to stunning effect. This song is also mid-tempo with a beautiful chorus.
"I Don't Care" could get by without the geust spots but for once, it is the guests that add a needed punch to a catchy song. Amerie does fair with her part (anyone female singer in the R&B sect could have sang it) but it is Fat Joe who steals the show with up front rap that confronts and extinguishes infedelity in a lyrical swoop. His rap contrasts with the message of the song (I want you back even though you did me wrong) which makes it all the more intriguing to listen to.
"Stop Time Tonight" is a ballad and fans of Ricky Martin know that when he sings the ballads there are hardly any words to describe how beautiful they are in his hands. This song is no different and what makes this osng intriguing is its melody has a slight resemblence to A-Ha's "Forever Not Yours". Ricky Martin agains shows why he is a singer who captivates so many... his voice.
"Life", the title track is excellent and upbeat, boasting a hint of latino influence along with a blend of hip hop. The message in the song is what people need today... live your life to the fullest... it is short.
"I Am" is a seductive number in which Ricky Martin gets down with his dirty self. His lyrics boast a grittier erotic side that shows he is willing to step out of the good boy image he currently has. This song has an animalistic, raw appeal to it.
"It's Alright" is another good up-beat jam with some rocking guitars and latino hints as well as a good pop appeal. He gets down with this song and it seems like he has fun while singing it.
"Drop It On Me" starts with a prison break siren and then lets loose with a regetron kind of beat. Daddy Yankee and Taboo offer extra vocals and the song is overall appealing regardless of the guests. Ricky Martin can sing (which is the overall message of this review I suppose).
"This Is Good" is best the song title to best sum up the album. The song is well written, well crafted, and well accompanied with percussion. It feature inflence from latin style as well as mid eastern... quite a blend.
"Save The Dance" is another excellent ballad and it features the message that infedelity is the last thing on the agenda. Ricky Martin sings so well on this song with his breathy vocals and that appealing rasp that lends a certain degree of reality to the man on the disc. Wonderful song.
The last two songs are spanish versions of I Don't Care and It's Alright. Both are just as good as the english versions and "Que Mas Da" (I Don't Care) is remixed to a reggetron beat.
I am happy with this album. There are no filler songs to be found and each song was meticulously crafted with the fans and future fans in mind. Fianlly Ricky Martin has an english language album that can be considered an equal to his spanish ones.
Beautiful!

I am not a Ricky Martin fan at all! When I first heard "I Don't Care" it was not a typical Ricky Martin song at all! I liked it a lot! I decided to go purchase it and give it a whirl!

I like the sound of this CD much more than his previous hits. To me, it sounds more "street" more "raw" and more "hip/hip". A little bit of a descent from the latin sound that all started to sound the same in every single one of his previous hits. This is a more hard hitting CD. Still his marginal vocals bit over MUCH better beats! Pleasently suprised here. There are a few latin-oriented songs - but not repetitively so.

Standout tracks include: "Til I Get To You", "I Don't Care", "Life", "Drop It On Me" and "I Won't Desert You"

A very good, nice, new, fresh direction for Ricky to head in!

Sony released the official list of all CDs that contain the XCP Content Protection Technology and Ricky's "Life" CD is NOT ON THE LIST!!!

Check out the list:

http://cp.sonybmg.com/xcp/english/titles.html

Quote from the Sony website :
" Note: Two titles, Ricky Martin's "Life" and Peter Gallagher's "7 Days in Memphis" were released with a content protection grid on the back of the CD packaging but XCP content protection software was not actually included on the albums."

So the CD cover is only labeled with the copy protection software notice, but the CD itself DOES NOT contain any hidden root-kits.
I played the CD on my computer and had no pop-ups prompting me to install any players. Also I checked my system as suggested at this website: [...] and saw that there were no rootkits installed on my machine after playing the CD.

SO DON'T BE AFRAID TO BUY AND ENJOY RICKY'S FABULOUS NEW MUSIC!

Ricky Martin's latest is HOT. 'Life' is a surprising departure from his usual sound and it absolutely works. It's sexy, upbeat and danceable. Although this CD is heavy on the Middle Eastern influences, the Latin beats are still there for lovers of Ricky's Spanish language CD's. 'Life' has momentum, it carries itself on its own merit. There's no room for boredom, it's a record you can keep on repeat for hours.

1. 'Til I get to you - Great choice for an opening track, it's gets you right into the mood. Some of the best lines on the album are in this track, like "Pass the smiling faces with a hidden rage". 10/10

2. I won't desert you - A bit of a change of pace after track 1, but enjoyable. Heavy on the international influences with some of Ricky's best vocals. 9/10

3. I don't care - Perfect choice for a first single. Fat Joe & Amerie make the song. The beat is hot. There's one thing that can be said about Ricky - he has rhythm. 8/10

4. Stop Time Tonight - Weakest song on the album. This song is an awful Diane Warren ballad. Yes, she's had some hits in the past, but this one is not up to par. I imagine it was only included on the CD because it was written by Diane Warren. It's clunky and cumbersome with cliched lyrics. Ricky gives it his best, but it just doesn't work. 5/10

5. Life - This is one of my favourite song on the album. Catchy chorus with what sounds almost like an 80's synth in there. There's so many different musical influences here that by rights it shouldn't work but it does it. 10/10

6. I am - Grrr Baby. Phwoar. This song is SEXY. Ricky gets down with his dirty self, and here was me thinking he was a nice boy. This song is so hot you don't know what hit you. With a catch line of "Damn I want to come but you come before me" you can't help getting hot under the collar. 10/10

7. It's Alright - It's the rhythm that makes this song. It took me a few listens to get into it, but it's fast becoming a favourite. Great guitars. 8/10

8. Drop it on me - Great rhythm section again, totally danceable with a few Spanish lines. Would be great live. 9/10

9. This is Good - One of my favourites. Makes me want to learn Latin dancing, I looked like an idiot dancing around my living room as it is. 10/10

10. Save the Dance - Best ballad on the album. The lyrics are wistful and Ricky's vocals are beautiful. He really does have a great voice and a surprisingly good falsetto. 10/10

The last two tracks are Spanish language versions of 3 and 7 - same review applies. This album is a major rhythmic coup and with the exception of the awful Diane Warren confection a brilliant success. This is without question the best Ricky Martin CD since Vuelve. The man has talent after all, who'd've thunk it? If you know what's good for you you'll buy this album immediately.