cletta1201's Full Review: Whoa, Nelly by Nelly Furtado
The Grammy’s are the biggest bunch of horse manure to ever claim to be awards. They buy into the whole we’re hip and we’re cool vibe and shun quality artists. I’m still bitter that they nominated India.Arie for 7 Grammy’s and embarrassed her by having her be the last performer and having the camera on her as she did not win ANY Grammy’s. How does this all relate to Nelly Furtado you might be thinking at this point? Well since Nelly won one of the coveted statues and I think Alicia Keys took everything home from Best Country Duo or Group to Best Underwater Pop Single, I feel that Nelly Furtado should give her Grammy to India.Arie (or they could share it). Now don’t all go getting your panties in a bunch and prepare to leave me a nasty comment. I like Nelly, I even think she’s talented – but some part of me thought that the Grammy’s were different (I don’t know why) that they recognized long term talents. I think in 5 or 6 years and 2 maybe 3 more albums, we’ll be seeing Nelly on Where Are They Now. Off of my Grammy soapbox and onto the album.
Track Listing
1. Hey, Man
2. …On The Radio (Remember The Days)
3. Baby Girl
4. Legend
5. I’m Like A Bird
6. Turn Off The Light
7. Trynna Find A Way
8. Party
9. Well, Well
10. My Love Grows Deeper Part 1
11. I Will Make You Cry
12. Scared Of You
I think that Nelly Furtado’s success and unique angle stem from the fact that she doesn’t really have one of those beautiful nor traditional singing voices. She isn’t what I would call a “good singer”, but her voice has some type of quality that makes you want to keep listening (think – Macy Gray). Teetering on the edge of being annoying, where Nelly does prosper is in her songwriting and musically. Having put her official stamp on all of the songs (she wrote 7 alone and co-wrote the other 5) the work on this album really shines through. Of the albums 12 songs, I think the ones that Nelly wrote on her own are the best offerings. Obviously they have more of a personal quality, but they’re also the most solid. Not to say that the co-writers aren’t talented, but you know that Nelly is capable of doing it on her own.
I’m Like A Bird is the song that won’t go away. You’ve heard it on the radio about 2 million times and seen the video an additional 1 million. Surprisingly enough, I don’t want to vomit until the chorus comes – and then I suddenly feel nauseous. Definitely a victim of overkill, this song is surprisingly non complex, but has a vulnerable quality to it, like you know that Nelly wrote this in her journal and made it into a song and it comes off well. Turn Off The Light was the second single from the Canadian-born star. One thing you can say about Nelly is that she knows how to mix all of her likes together well. A mix of hip-hop, and Latin influence, Turn Off The Light is supreme. Even pay attention to the turntable scratching in the background, an ode to the dying deejay.
Legend to me feels like it could have been done by Bebel Gilberto. It has its roots in Portuguese/ Brazilian musicianship. Flipping from smooth to amped – I never even pay attention to the lyrics to this song because I like the music so much. Party is just that. From the non-sensical vamps (non-sensical in that I can’t speak Portuguese) that Nelly sings in the background to the beats. If this one doesn’t make you want to move, you can give up. Well, Well begins sounding like a song you might hear on Sesame Street, but picks up once the music drops. The only thing that I don’t really like about this song is the drum machine loop that was used – it just sounds so silly, like I could have made it on MY computer, and my computer sucks.
My Love Grows Deeper Part 1 is my second favorite track on the album. It reminds me of Esthero, having an element of trip-hop and still maintaining the Latin element through Nelly’s voice – this is where her talent really shines through. On this song I would even venture to say that her vocal talent is good and surprises me some. She showcases some of her range and separates herself from other artists’ by taking musical risks.
Scared Of You is the best song that Whoa Nelly! has. With one feet planted firmly in her Portuguese heritage – Nelly mixes it up by singing in Portuguese. Oddly enough, I think that when Nelly is singing on this one wit only the guitar, her voice sounds amazing, but for some reason once the music comes in – the nasal twang that can put some people off comes back. I still love this song, and I think if Nelly were to ever abandon her style of music that she has a good shot at traditional Portuguese music. ”And I’m sorry/ that I made myself feel better/ by making you feel/ never good enough/ I know you’ll shine much brighter/ than I ever could/ maybe that is why I’m/ scared of you…” A song to a lover that seems wise beyond Nelly’s years – written by Nelly you see that she’s not just some teeny bopper out to steal your $16 and put on a dance recital, I’m all for that.
If You Like Nelly You Might Like - Bebel Gilberto, Esthero
Epinions.com periodically updates pricing and product information from third-party sources, so some information may be slightly out-of-date. You should confirm all information before relying on it.
- Add to My Yahoo!: 
- Add to Google Homepage: 
© 1999-2009 Shopping.com, Inc.