Thalia is one of the biggest names in music that Americans don't know, but should. She's one of the top-selling pop stars in Mexico and she's one of the queens of teen fanzines, especially after tours in Europe and her recent fairy-tale marriage -- complete with ceremonies in New York City, Mexico City, and Miami -- to Tommy Motola, president of Sony Records.

Every male latin music fan is jealous of Tommy. Every one. Me included.

Thalia is not only a great talent, she's also a stunningly beautiful young woman with an incredible stage presence. When I've seen her on TV, she's always had kind of a gentle, ingenuous nature with a little bit of an edge of self-deprecating humor. She strikes me as smart and funny, and is the kind of star who I don't begrudge a little success. I practically laughed out loud at some of the picture of her that appearred in HOLA magazine, where she was shown hamming it up at some London's most famous landmarks. Ah, the spirit of youth! But enough with the glittering generalities...let's talk music!

Dynamic Range
The thing I really love about Thalia is her incredible range -- not just in her voice -- but also in the breadth of sounds that her songs incorporate and exploit. She moves from fast tropical-sounding tunes to slow dance tunes to songs that throw in a little of the sounds of traditional Mexico or Columbia. Great stuff! I love the horns. I love the percussions. I love Amor a la Mexicana!

Blow by Blow, Track by Track...

Por Amor
From the opening horn solos to the fast salsa beat, this is one of those songs that brings everyone onto the dance floor. I absolutely love the hot Caribbean coast sound of this tune and the way its hot percussions and bright horns kind of alternate in carrying the song along. The resemblance to Gloria Estefan's very best tunes is unmistakable and if I didn't know Thalia's voice, I could swear the tune was Gloria. Maybe that shouldn't come as such a surprise given that the album's producer is none other than Emilio Estefan...

Noches Sin Luna
This isn't the best tune on the album, and I don't think it was really ever a very popular hit, but I do like the strong percussions (done by Edwin Bonilla), and I think the chorus is so catchy that its inevitably going to come to some big Avenida Reforma ad executive's mind to use it in a TV commercial.... "noches sin luna, voy buscando mi fortuna..." Man! That's just a commercial waiting to happen!

Mujer Latina
Whoa, feet! Hold up on the dancing until I get out onto the dance floor!! This is another super hot, super fast, salsa inspired tune that again shows an uncanny resemblance to the best Gloria Estefan tunes. Que ritmo tan sabroso! I love the tropical sound with the congas emerging out of the background! Hot!

Amor a la Mexicana
The title tune, and also one of the hottest hits on Mexican pop radio, is one of Thalia's greatest successes. I love the traditional mariachi-like opening with a a bright trumpet solo and a grito. I could have sworn I was sitting in Garibaldi Square, if the tune didn't slowly shift gears into an unmistakable pop sound with a catchy chorus, "amor a la mexicana, caliente al ritmo del sol." I dunno 'bout that...when you're dealing with mexicanas, sometimes even the sun can seem cool...

Rosas
I'm not a huge fan of "slow dance" songs, which is probably why this is my least favorite cut on the album. It's slow. It's seductive....yawn...catch me if I fall...

Echa Pa' Lante
I guess this qualified as a "hit" in Mexico -- I've certainly heard it played, but I it definitely wasn't as big as Amor a la Mexicana or Por Amor. This is a traditional, rural sounding tune with serious-minded lyrics about government misconduct doing its best to ruin the country, but despite its worst intentions, the ancient dignity and spirit of the people survives in triumph. Some of lines are unmistakable digs on President Carlos Salinas de Gotari, who left office in disgrace during a period of economic turmoil.

Ponle Remedio
This song is a great showcase for the bright clarity of Thalia's singing. It's got kind of a sophisticated urban sound to it, but the staccato rhythym also reminds me of latin hits like la Macarena.

Es Tu Amor
Another "slow dance" tune that kind of makes me identify with the kid in Carl Reiner's flick, "The Princess Bride" -- "oh no, it's kissing again..." I feel your pain, kid! Wake me when it's over...zzzzzz

De Donde Soy
Whoa! I said "wake me," not blast an air horn in my ear while dumping my matttress upside down and kicking me in the head! This tune starts off like the claxon in Engine Company 82! It's fast. It's loud. It's great. It's time to turn up the volume and tick off the old guy next door! I love the fast tropical sound, and I love the sensual lyrics, especialy with Thalia singing them....I wanna know where I am in your land, Baby. I need some love to breath...

Dicen por Ahi
This is another "slow dance" song, but one I find oddly seductive. (Hint for budding Romeos: If you're dating a latin woman, this is the song that will help you score -- much better than "Bang a Gong, Get it On".) When I listen to Dicen por Ahi I get a mental picture of that scene in Austin Powers where Austin is romancing Miss Kensington by having Burt Bacharach singing to just the two of them atop a bus... Well, substitute Burt for the sexiest latina you've ever seen, who just incidently happens to have the softest most sensual voice you've ever heard, and you've got the scene that I visualize in my most erotic fantasies... Youch!

30 Words?
Epinions might give us 30 words to summarize an album, but I only need 2 for this album "buy it!". This is an excellent album that really showcases Thalia's talent and range. It's hot, it's danceable, it's wonderful. I could listen to it over and over...and I think I will.


Recommended: Yes

Great Music to Play While: Exercising