Search - Amanda Miguel :: Piedra De Afilar

The best ballad singer back to scene

J. Jose Mora Rivera | Guadalajara, Jalisco Mexico | 09/17/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"Amanda has an unique style. If you are new to ballad in spanish and want a real talent, this is Amanda.



If you are a current fan of Amanda, don't hesitate and puchase the CD.



It took me like 3 times to listen the whole CD and to understand the real power of their songs.



Pay special atention to the tracks "No me vas a olvidar" and "Se paro" marvelous and powerfull ballads that remain in that style that made Amanda a unique singer. Great voice, great interpreter, strong lyrics and enjoyable melodies.



I read a comment that state that song "Tierra de nadie" is not a good song. Personally is my favorite of the disc. With this I don't want to challenge anyone, what I mean is that Amanda has something for everyone, and that is something that make her so big.



The duet with his husband, is nice, but nothing extraordinary, far away of that marvelous ballad "Simplemente amor"



"Piedra de afilar" and "Hoy por hoy" are delicious songs for diferent moods, first is a challenge song with a lot of rythm, the second is a inspirational song.



They have other nice ballads like for drinking a nice cup of your favorite drink and with some light rain around "Samba para que te quiera" "Retrasando el adios" "Es un loco amor"



For me the only unlucky song for this disc is "La nebulosa" , but who knows? may be you will like it.



BRAVO AMANDA! welcome back to the stage, please never left us alone again :)"

Excelente el regreso de Amanda...Super!

Michelangelo | chicago, il. usa | 11/10/2005

(5 out of 5 stars)

"Una de las mejores voces que existen y han existido en el medio musical, sobre todo una gran presencia, carisma, talento, todo...Me encanta su nuevo disco!!!"

Amanda's Back With More of the Voice

Nuyorican AJ | New York City, NY | 08/23/2005

(4 out of 5 stars)

"New year. New distribution label. New production. Amanda's back from a 6 year absense (1999's "5 Dias" was her previous offering) after a long battle with her former label Karen Publishings Records.



This time arround, the project was produced by 2 new commers, David Snow and Jeremy Jeremian, both under Amanda's and DIego's (her husband) label Diam Entertainment, as well as Amanda herself and Diego Verdaguer.



All the lyrics to all tracks were written by the longtime lyrical partner Anahi. Music was written by Diego, Amanda, David and and Ana Victoria (Amanda's daughter.)



This album is a departure from Amanda's signature smooth-rock ballads because this time, it has been influenced by uptempo pop, flamenco, and even some electropop and samba.



The voice - and oh, what a voice. I don't think there is any other artist other than India who can keep a high voice while singing and not make it sound forced or distorted. Let's see Thalia sing "El Me Minto" (Amanda's first No. 1 song from 1982) the way that Amanda sings it.



Here's a track rundown and the rate.



PIEDRA DE AFILAR (10/10) - The title track is a pop/flamenco track that glides with Amanda's high energy vocals, while whispering sweet nothings in your ear.

NO ME VAS A OLVIDAR (10/10) - One of the most powerful ballads on the CD. Easily should be the second single.

SAMBA PARA QUE TE QUIERA (8/10) - I like the track because it fuses samba music with ballad lyrics. I just don't like the arrangement.

SIEMPRE FUIMOS DOS (7/10) - Added at the last minute to the album, this was a collaboration with her husband Diego Verdaguer. This track was the promotional single to Diego's and Amanda's greatest hits compilation under the same title.

RETRASANDO EL ADIOS (9/10) - Another great pop ballad. A track you should listen while drinking your favourite wine and crying your eyes out. :)

SE PARO (10/10) - The single that was chosen as the first promotional track kicks off where Amanda left off with 1996's "Amame Una Vez Mas." It has the same vibe, same feeling. Makes you want to weep when she talks about a love that suddenly stops.



Now here is where it gets tricky and the reason for my 4 star review.



ES UN LOCO AMOR (8/10)

TIERRA DE NADIE (5/10)

HOY POR HOY (5/10)

NO HIZO FALTA MAS (5/10)

LA NEBULOSA (4/10)



I characterize these tracks as filler. I know that CDs now adays come with filler songs. But this is just too much. These tracks go onto a road where it doesn't meet up with how the CD started. I know that there were over 20 tracks recorded for this CD, and why they chose to include these tracks is beyond me. Vocally, the songs are a quick departure because they seem out of tune. Like something that was recorded in hours instead of days. Musically, it's a mishmosh of sounds that don't blend. Especially the last song "La Nebulosa." I don't know if this is a song or a story song.



Overall, the CD starts off to a great start, but ends up going off the curb. With that said, if you have a passion for Amanda's music, voice and anger, this is a CD for you. I would recommend just playing tracks 1-7. Leave the rest alone. :)"