Como Me Acuerdo

Album Review

Two new songs and a few stray remixes rounded up might not be enough for longtime Rosa collectors, but that doesn't keep Como Me Acuerdo from being a great listen when considered on its own. Of course the collection isn't really made for diehards, it's made for those introduced to the artist by Mad Love, his first entirely English solo album. The sensual mysticism and patchouli-smelling production of Mad Love is present on a few tracks, but hearing the punchier, more direct songs from Rosa's earlier work is exciting and proves this man is a versatile pop craftsman. Even without the delicious and swirling production Rosa does so well, the naked and acoustic "Bandera" is gripping due to the singer's passionate delivery. If you're just coming off Mad Love, "Penélope" and "Vagabundo" are less in your face than expected and give some back-story to Rosa's grandiose side, one that could easily be written off as Sting worship otherwise. Copyright dates in the liners can help if you want to use this as a compilation, but the tracks are ordered so well you could pass this off as something meant to be. Unless they want a compact Rosa sampler, his longtime fans can pass. Everyone who got hip because of Mad Love can get a better understanding of how it all came to be and how enchanting music overcomes any language barrier.