Sincero
Chayanne has never been a particularly expressive singer, but the schizophrenic sounds ofSinceromake for one of the most appealing and liberating albums of the Puerto Rican pop hunk's career. The entertainer's carefully choreographed dance moves and smoldering good looks often overshadowed his singing in the past, butSincerofinds Chayanne spreading his wings and stretching his vocal abilities to good effect. The album blends tender love songs, acoustic instrumentation, earthy dance rhythms, salsa, ska-tinged rock and even a few bluesy touches into one surprisingly irresistible package. Freed from the constraints of by-the-numbers ballads and generic dance tracks, Chayanne sounds re-energized through much of the album, often echoing the no-frills sentiments of Spanish singer Alejandro Sanz. "Sentada Aqui en Mi Alma" and "Un Siglo Sin Ti" are subtly intoxicating moments; "Caprichosa" and "Santa Sofia" benefit from tight musical accompaniment and forceful chorus cries. It's a surprising move for the singer after so many commercially successful years in the game, butSinceroseems to have finally unlocked the untapped potential hidden behind Chayanne's pretty-boy packaging.--Joey Guerra