Pies Descalzos

On her major-label debut, Shakira impressively injects Caribbean sounds with pop finesse and a big rock aesthetic. On the revealing “Estoy Aquí,” the Colombian singer announces her arrival, as her contralto floats atop a rapid-fire melodic hook. Elsewhere, the bossa-tinged “Antologia” is ripe with sincerity, while the groovy “Un Poco de Amor” takes inspiration from dancehall reggae. Throughout, her voice remains distinct and utterly compelling, whether on top of Afro-Latin rhythms (“Donde Estas Corazon”) or over a straight-up rock jam (“Vuelve”).

For the first time since 1992,Rolling Stone'sdefinitive classic returns to the scene, completely updated and revised to include the past decade's artists and sounds. When it comes to sorting the truly great from the merely mediocre, the enduring from the fleeting,The New Rolling Stone Album Guideprovides music buffs and amateurs alike with authoritative guidance from the best voices in the field. Filled with insightful commentary, it not only reviews the most influential albums of all time, but also features biographical overviews of key artists' careers, giving readers a look at the personalities behind the music.This fourth edition contains an impressive -- 70 percent -- amount of new material. Readers will find fresh updates to entries on established artists, hundreds of brand-new entries on the people and recordings that epitomize the '90s and the sounds of the 21st century -- from Beck to OutKast to the White Stripes and beyond -- along with a new introduction detailing changes in the music industry.Celebrating the diversity of popular music and its constant metamorphoses, with thousands of entries and reviews on every sound from blues to techno,The New Rolling Stone Album Guideis the only resource music lovers need to read.