Shakira's vocal affectations continue to annoy at times; during "La Pared," she occasionally sounds as if she's choking on her own spit. She seems more comfortable crooning in her native tongue, however, and the production, overseen by Rick Rubin, doesn't exhibit the crossover desperation that marred Laundry Service, from which her aforementioned hit sprang. Although "Escondite Inglés," with its new-wave keyboards, is inane, "En Tus Ppilas," "Obtener Un Sí," and "Día de Enero" stand as buoyant, often old-fashioned Latin pop, and "La Tortura," with its sturdy dance beat, avoids torture entirely.
In other words, Fijación Oral doesn't entirely suck. Will wonders never cease?
