Thalia - El Sexto Sentido (2005)

Thalía's self-titled 2003 effort was meant to be her English-language breakthrough, with guest shots from Fat Joe and photography that resembled a Spiegel ad, or maybe a Shania album. But it was too superficial, and there was little crossover appeal in the music itself. In contrast, 2005's Sexto Sentido is sung entirely en español, but for English versions of its three singles tacked onto the end. It's a straightforward Latin pop album, with the requisite balladry (the rousing "Olvídame" really shows off her voice), bouncy hybrid pop (the bandoneón-flavored opener "Amar Sin Ser Amada"), and exuberant anthems you can imagine the entire dancefloor singing along with "Seducción," "No Me Voy a Quebrar." It also features "Amor Prohibido," Thalía's rendition of Selena's Tejano classic. (Thalía performed the song at an April 2005 concert event that remembered Selena on the ten-year anniversary of her murder.) Sexto Sentido features songwriting and production throughout from Estéfano, and Thalía vocals are buoyant, particularly on the biggest notes. "24000 Besos (24000 Baci)" is a highlight, a dizzyingly upbeat track where the catchiness isn't lost in translation. Like the majority of Sexto Sentido, it's slick and perfectly arranged and performed with gusto. The album might not be the domestic breakthrough that Thalía's been hoping for since 2003, but it's a capable Latin pop effort that will get the crowd moving or the emotions flowing depending on the track. It's sure to appeal to her diehards.