Sound Loaded

And while there's a temptation to write this -- and Martin -- off as just another pop-tart confection reprising a proven sonic formula, the fact remains that the singer and his cohorts craft music that's undeniably engaging, tuneful, and, quite often, lots of fun.

The relentlessly likable and danceable Sound Loaded plunges listeners once again into Ricky's hothouse world, with its lush evocations of exotic climes ("St. Tropez"), Spanglish salsa-club blowouts (the irresistible "Amor") and voodoo hussies (oh, pick one -- "Jezebel"). The singing sounds a little tired, but the monstrously effective production is firmly in place, with arena-size swells swamping the ballads ("Come to Me" eventually drowns) and Latinate curlicues (like the arabesque-ing guitar that redeems "Nobody Wants to Be Lonely") peeping from the corners.

Less than two years after the crossover phenomenon erupted in earnest, this kitchen sink approach to Latin American pop already sounds incredibly formulaic -- albeit a formula that still has some life in it.

The trio of Spanish songs are no fun at all and ballads such as Come To Me are more Michael Bolton than Michael Jackson, but - and let's not be coy about this - when he does Livin' La Vida Loca again, he's fantastic.