Pablo Montero Con la Bendici¢n de Dios

It's tempting to compare Mexican crooner Pablo Montero favorably to genre superstar Alejandro Fernandez. Both men have helped bring ranchera music to the masses via deep, rich vocal talents and dark good looks that make many a female--and male--fan swoon. But whereas Fernandez has mastered the art of nuanced, dramatic vocal styling, Montero still has a few things to learn. It's evident on Con la Bendicion de Dios, which effectively blends traditional and modern sounds but is still an overall modest effort. Montero has been paired with first-class talent, including writers Gustavo Santander, Claudia Brant and producer Kike Santander (who helmed Fernandez's A Corazon Abierto). But Montero seems more a label puppet than an artist in his own right. His voice (and the production) does recall Fernande" on tracks "Pasito a Paso," "Cuando Llora el Cortazon" and "Dicen Por Ahi," but there's little sense in settling for an admirable imitation when the real Fernandez's music is so readily accessible. --Joey Guerra