Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Gives hope for the future of Pop Music!!!, 13 Dec 2001
A fantastic first album from a fantastic singer. It's easy to write off anything called 'pop' especially when a cartoon builder can get to number one! But this album really shouldn't be overlooked. This is what pop music should be about, and any real fan of music can't help but love this album, its influences range from hip-hop to funk, and the end product is nothing short of the best pop album in recent years. For those of you who have heard the highly acclaimed singles "Turn Off The Lights", "I'm Like a Bird", and "...On the Radio (Remember the Days)", this album will not disappoint you with its other songs of similar style like "Baby Girl", "Legend" and "Tryna Finda Way", all with the trademark brilliant soulful singing, and very, very close harmonies, the last time I heard harmonies like that was on a song called "Kate" on the Steely Dan album "Asia" sung by Michael Macdonald (from the dooby brothers). Each song is unique, the lyrics are delivered in English, Portuguese, and Hindi, there are many traditional styles incorporated into the music including some Spanish guitar playing, some Brazilian and Caribbean instruments like the steel drums, and Indian instruments including the Tabla and the Sitar. All lyrics are written by Nelly Furtado herself which some how adds an edge to the music that most pop artists today really don't have as they have there songs written for them. All lead and background vocals are performed by Nelly Furtado except for a beautiful duet with Esthero ("I Feel You") and "My Love Grows Deeper (Single Version)" with an unnamed male singer, probably Gerald Eaton (one of the producers, and vocalist from the Canadian funk band 'The Philosopher Kings'). Some of the songs are also co-written by Eaton & West (the guitarist). Nelly Furtado also plays the guitar on a couple of tracks. All the tracks are brilliant, although some took some time for me to get into, as I don't listen to much pop. If I had to choose a Best track though it would have to be "Onde Estas", the vocals are outstanding. This however doesn't make it hard to listen to, it's quite the opposite in fact; the music fits together so well it seems natural to have a Berimbau ('ethnic' string instrument) followed by a distortion guitar! The style is a subtle cross between something like "Beyond Skin" by Nitin Sawhney, "Pre-Emptive Strike" by DJ Shadow and "all about chemistry" by Semisonic. Altogether I think that makes this album one of the best in recent years, and I certainly rate it as one of my personal favourites, it has pushed the boundaries of pop music and broken all the moulds. This is one of the least stereotypical albums I've heard, you can't really call this music anything other than music, She deservedly won the Top of the Pops Best newcomer award. This should really be on everyone's Christmas list. I can't wait for the next album! N.B. make sure you get the above version [UK EDITION] - I have seen other versions in shops with only 12 tracks, and the last 4 really are priceless!
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
This is good - very, very, good, 22 Mar 2001
To a "nelly-virgin" like myself (I had half heard, I'm like a bird (twice) before listening to this album)the first few tracks set you thinking that you are going to get a not-too-bad clone of Jewel/Alannis but after a while you can sense that there is a whole lot more happening here.There are strains of Destiny's child/All Saints( at their best)with a bit of Basia thrown in for good measure - a real R n B influence in the middle part of the CD. It then finishes off with a very much Gloria Estefan style of Latin music for the last few songs. My description may sound like a mish-mash of different styles but IT WORKS. The songs flow into each other and the overall feel is lyrically adept and musically very competant. This is one of the freshest sounding CDs that I have heard for a long time! A REALLY NICE album and one that only the really pretentious could criticise. Go hungry, stuff the credit card bill and buy this with the last tenner that you own - you will not be disappointed.
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8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
NELLY FURTADO, 'WHOA, NELLY!', 15 Mar 2001
Nelly Furtado, a 21 year old Portuguese-Canadian singer/songwriter, could be just that. Hailed as the female Beck after causing a stir with her debut single, 'I'm Like A Bird', her first album 'Whoa, Nelly!' is set to catapult her to major stardom.'Whoa, Nelly!' is an eclectic mix of infectious latin and R&B influenced pop tracks, which will be a refreshing change to any ear that's sick of the monotonous pop-by-numbers that seems to be forever topping the charts. Gems like opener, 'Hey, Man!', the dreamy soul-searcher that recalls a chilled Alanis Morissette-meets-Ani DiFranco after a spiritual journey to Brazil and the seductively sexy 'Baby Girl' with its ambient Smoke City vibe, will manage to bring a smile to the hardest of faces. Although her lyrics highlight her naivety at times, it's difficult not to fall for Nelly's honesty and passion. She delivers her philosophy on life and love with a sassy, self-assured style that will draw you in without you even noticing and it's all packaged up in a sexy voice, reminiscent of Gwen Stefani, that soars fearlessly. Apparently Nelly wanted to make an album of heartfelt songs that are upbeat and hopeful. One listen to 'Whoa, Nelly!' will confirm that this girl has risen to her challenge. 'Trynna Finda Way', 'Well, Well' and the superb 'Turn Off The Light' will bring the hottest of summers into your life on even the darkest of days. And that is something not to be scoffed at. Okay so it suffers from repetition in places and the last pair of songs are arguably disposable, but this collection shines and sparkles as an impressive debut. And you're never too tired, stressed or disillusioned to celebrate the joy of youth, are you? Even if it is someone else's.
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