Yahoo! Music Album Review

Released on 07/03/06
Label: SonyBMG

Apparently it's obligatory to describe Shakira as 'Colombia's second biggest export' - after coffee presumably? The former soap star turned singer songwriter enjoys massive celebrity in Latin America (hence the appearance of Carlos Santana and Gustavo Cerati here), and has spent recent years honing her English lyric writing skills so the rest of us can understand what's going on behind the belly dancing and sultry looks.

Musically, "Oral Fixation Vol. 2" hosts the usual Shakira mix of stadium rock riffery, as seen with "How Do You Do", the new single "Don't Bother", and poppier moments such as "Illegal". Elsewhere, her voice is either versatile or schizo, depending on your point of view. Here we have snatches of Cher, Alanis and Gwen - all in the same song on "Dreams For Plans" - though when she's not trying quite so hard, as on the aforementioned "Illegal", Shakira certainly has a sweet croon.

Those English lessons are progressing well, but we still get the occasional surprising turn of phrase - "I felt lucky with my humble breasts" and "I'd like to be the owner of the zipper on your jeans" - clumsily aiding her mission to sing tales of betrayal, self doubt and, most bizarrely, the Indonesian subjugation of, and subsequent UN war crimes trials in, East Timor on closing track "Timor". Clearly there's more to this girl than a pretty face. It's just a shame then that she has to appear all but naked on the sleeve. A UN goodwill ambassador with Frizz-Ease in her Gucci bag? You better believe it.

Latin fans will be delighted that their Shakira is still recognisable - mixing flamenco, Mexican horns and the riff from "Hey Mickey" on "Animal City", before the absolutely brilliant but equally bonkers "Hey You" - think The Cure's "Lovecats" played by No Doubt blind drunk - ska-pops its way into your heart. And Katie Meluah will be very cross indeed that she didn't get a crack at the melodramatic "Your Embrace".

Who needs a million bicycles in Beijing when you can sing about your "24-inch waist" that nobody wants to cuddle in an Andrew Lloyd Webber style? Indeed, this woman's love knows no bounds - "For you I'd give up all I own and move to a communist country". Next, she's singing in cute '60s French with "Something", a decent track recounting the body heat (really) of the best kisser she's ever known. Much more of this and Shakira will surely take over the whole world with her mix of unthreatening pop / rock, lovingly naïve lyrics and cute tummy. It's what the planet needs.

As ever, the credits on the CD booklet are also endearingly amusing. When did you last tell your parents they are the sculptors of your spirit? Perhaps you should try it today.

    by Andy Strickland