Amarte Es Un Placer

Too much might never be enough for fans of Latin pop superstar Luis Miguel's swooning balladry. For discerning listeners, however, Amarte Es Un Placer is the same old song and dance. The album balances swooning ballads with up-tempo numbers, much like Miguel's previous Nada Es Igual and Aries. Admittedly, Miguel displays a wonderfully expressive voice, particularly on "Tu Mirada," "Soy Yo," and "O Tú o Ninguna," but other problems surface. Up-tempo numbers such as "Sol, Arena y Mar," "Quiero," and "Dímelo en un Beso" feature tepid arrangements akin to background music for a Miami Vice episode, and Miguel doesn't inject any real rhythm into the songs. The sole exception is "Te Propongo Esta Noche," which breaks into a pulsing club beat. Miguel would be wise to follow that same path next time around.