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RBD Album: “Rebels”
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Release Date:2006-12-19
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Type:Unknown
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Genre:Latin, Pop, Today's Big Hits
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Label:
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Explicit Lyrics:Yes
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UPC:094638136828
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Review - :
It was inevitable. After a few years of staggering commercial success throughout Latin America, including Brazil and pockets of the United States, the {\teen pop} group {$RBD} unveiled an English-language crossover album, {^Rebels}. The release had been planned for some time -- announced at a press conference, even! -- and in marketing-savvy fashion, it was preceded by a series of events intended to drum up anticipation. First there was a brief tour of the States in early 2006 that resulted in the CD/DVD {^Live in Hollywood}. Then there was a high-profile concert at {~Madison Square Garden} in July that was such an event it earned a snide notice in {~The New York Times} by renowned music journalist {$Jon Pareles} ("This is rebel music?" his article began). And then there was the run-up to the release of {^Rebels}, which was preceded by lead single {&"Tu Amor,"} the group's English-language debut, and then by {^Celestial}. That all-new Spanish-language album, released in late November, included a single of its own ({&"Ser o Parecer"}) and a bonus track sorpresa featuring samples of key songs from {^Rebels}. It all amounted to a case study in how to go about breaking an international act in America, and as the album's Christmas release date rolled around, the only question remaining was whether {@Virgin Records} would actually break {$RBD} stateside. After all, as on-point as their roll-out campaign had been, marketing alone doesn't make for a successful album. And indeed, {^Rebels} itself is a mixed bag.{&"Tu Amor"} is perfect for the project: the song is written by {$Diane Warren}, who turns in a lyric that is bilingual yet elementary in its simplicity; the production is a modern {\urban} beat with a {\hip-hop} rhythm, courtesy of {\R&B} veteran {$Khris Kellow}; and the vocals are primarily handled by {$Cristian}, the most fluent singer in the group, with the chorus sung in unison by the group -- it's a single tailor-made for {@Tr3s}, {@MTV}'s brand-new channel targeting acculturated Latinos. {&"Wanna Play"} and {&"Cariño Mio,"} both credited to behind-the-scenes {\urban} music talent {$Andrea Martin}, are likewise ideally suited for {$RBD}'s pending crossover: bilingual lyrics that are elementary enough for Spanish- as well as English-language teens; a light yet trendy {\reggaeton} production style; and traded boy-girl vocals that accentuate the undercurrent of budding sexuality central to these bump-and-grind dance songs. Unfortunately, the remainder of the 11 songs are mildly disappointing. {&"Connected"} is a promising song, as is the other {$Warren} contribution, {&"I Wanna Be the Rain,"} yet the stilted English pronunciation and overly simple lyrics weigh too heavily on the songs. The same can be said of the numerous English-language versions of previously released {$RBD} songs, which -- to be expected, perhaps -- account for roughly half of {^Rebels}. {&"My Philosophy,"} {&"This Is Love,"} {&"Keep It Down Low,"} and {&"Save Me"} were all first-rate singles -- originally titled {&"Dame,"} {&"Nuestro Amor,"} {&"Solo Quédate en Silencio,"} and {&"Sálvame,"} respectively -- among {$RBD}'s best to date, for sure. However, too much is lost in translation, not only in terms of lyrics but also performance. ~ Jason Birchmeier, All Music Guide
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