In regional Mexican music, there is no shortage of groups that put a Latin pop spin on norteño -- groups that have a norteño orientation but are by no means norteño purists, groups that draw inspiration from Latin pop as well as from Mexico's rich ranchera tradition. Groups fitting that description are plentiful, but some do it much better than others -- and Solo Contigo ("Only with You") is a rewarding example of why Pesado are a cut above much of the competition. This 2008 release isn't straight-ahead norteño in the way that los Rieleros del Norte, los Tigres del Norte, and los Tucanes de Tijuana are straight-ahead norteño; calling Solo Contigo straight-ahead norteño or hardcore norteño would be like saying that Willie Nelson is stylistically comparable to Buck Owens, Merle Haggard, George Jones, or Johnny Cash -- which he isn't. Nelson has long been identified with crossover country or country-pop, not hardcore honky tonk. But here's the thing: Nelson has put a lot of heart into his crossover country -- his work certainly has more heart than a lot of the assembly line stuff that Nashville frequently puts out -- and similarly, Pesado is a group that brings a lot of heart to crossover norteño. Solo Contigo, despite its commercial leanings, is very organic-sounding; lead singer/co-founder Beto Zapata brings a certain earnestness to sentimental offerings like Me Vas a Extrañar ("You're Going to Miss Me"), Ojalá ("If Only"), En Tu Lugar) ("In Your Place") and Tristeza ("Sadness"). Zapata's performances sound heartfelt, not superficial; he sounds like he really does have an emotional connection to these songs. Solo Contigo isn't as essential as some of Pesado's albums, but even so, it is a pleasing example of the high standards that Zapata and his colleagues have been bringing to pop-minded norteño. ~ Alex Henderson, Rovi

1		Ojalá
2		Cambio y Fuera
3		Aún Te Amo
4		Sólo Contigo
5		Me Vas a Extrañar
6		La Puerta del Olvido
7		Si Ya No Me Amas
8		Desde Que No Estás
9		No Es Que No Quiera
10		Tristeza
11		En Tu Lugar
12		Ajuste de Cuentas
13		Ajuste De Cuentas