Areíto (album)

The album received positive reviews from critics. Enrique Lopetegui from Los Angeles Times gave a positve review and wrote "Areito, , is less spectacular than “Bachata Rosa,” but no less ambitious".[6] Achy Obejas from Chicago Tribune gave it for 4 out 4 stars and praised the album's lyrics and wrote "Songs on Guerra's latest release, "Areito," bemoan the rising cost of living in the Dominican Republic and throughout the Third World".

Jason Birchmeier from Allmusic gave it 4.5 stars of 5 and wrote "It's an otherwise magnificent album that, along with its two predecessors, is one of Guerra's classics". Billboard prased the record and gave a positive review and stated "after a two -year absence and serves up his most wide-ranging, satisfying effort to date"[7]

Billboard stated that "According to Guerra's label, BMG-distributed Karen Records, the new album shipped 400,000 units in the U.S. and 2 million worldwide, one of the largest initial shipments ever for a Spanish language album.[8][9] The album`s third single "El costo de la Vida" received airplay in Spain, Holland, Italy, Denmark, Portugal and Belgium.[10][11][12][13] Also, it reached number one on US Billboard Hot Latin Songs, becoming the first Dominican artist and first tropical artist to do so. Due the album success, Juan Luis Guerra was named top selling Tropical artist of 1993 in United States and Areito the second best selling tropical album of 1993.[14]

In Spain, Despite the high expectations, the album peaked at number 2. It eventually sold over 300,000 copies and was the 7th Best Selling Album of 1993 in Spain and 5th Best Selling Album by a Foreign Artist.[15][16]

Areito was well received by the music industry. The album was a commercial success across Latin America and Europe. By 1993, the album had sold 1,350,000 copies worldwide.[17][18] Eventually, it sold 2 million copies worldwide.[19]

However, sales figures from Areito were significantly less in comparation of Bachata Rosa. Some attributed that one of the reasons was because Areito did not have the same formula of mixed rhythms that caused his predecessor reached new audiences and universal acclaim. Instead, the album musical estructure was based more on Traditonal-Bachata, Meregue and Bolero, causing some disappointment on the most recent fans at the time.[20]

To promote the album, Juan Luis Guerra and 440 embarked at their largest and intense tour at the time, Areito World Tour. It visited Countries as Brazil, Chile, United States, Argentina, Spain, Mexico, Holland, Portugal, England and Germany and Started on July 3 in New York and ended on October 16 At the Ahoy, Rotherdam.[21][15][17][22]

In The United States, the first show in New York was sold out. However, Media the attedance in Miami at James L. Knight Center, was 4,000 of the 6,000 expected. It was significantly less, in comparation of the sold-out show in Miami Arena on the Bachata Rosa Tour in December 1991.[23]

In Holland, media reported that the concert in Rotherdam was sold out, with over 10,000 tickets sold, becoming the first merengue artist to do so.[15][24]

In Spain, the two concerts in Barcelona at the October 5 and 6 were sold out with 41,644 and Grossing over US$798,516.[25] Also, Las palmas concert at the Insular Stadium had attendance of 18,517 wit a gross of US$351,895. In Madrid, the tour concerts on September 14 and 15 at Las Vegas were sold out with attedance of 40,000 fans and 9,000 fans at Sevilla on September 22 concert. During the tour dates in Spain, Areito Comeback to the top 10 due album sales surge.[26][25][27][28][29]

1. "Areíto" - 1:19
2. "El Costo de la Vida" - 4:10
3. "Señales de Humo" (Mambo) – 5:32
4. "Ayer" (Salsa) – 5:05
5. "Frío Frío" - 4:08
6. "Rompiendo Fuente" - 4:26
7. "Mal de Amor" (Merencumbia) – 3:46
8. "Si Saliera Petróleo" (Salsa) – 4:35
9. "Coronita de Flores" (Cha-Cha) – 4:17
10. "Cuando Te Beso" (Balada) – 3:28
11. "Cuando Te Beso" (Bolero) (Bonus Track) – 3:08
12. "Naboria/Daca Mayanimacaná" - 2:25