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48 of 51 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Hands Down The BEST Album Of 2003, December 31, 2003
In January 2001 I heard a song called "I'm Like A Bird" on the radio for the first time. I found out that it was by a new Canadian talent called Nelly Furtado. The song became a huge hit, and her debut album "Whoa, Nelly!" became one of Britain's top sellers in 2001. I bought that album and totally fell in love with Furtado. Her voice, her lyrics, her sound, her style, her melodies, Hell even the album artwork was exquisite! The album became my favourite of 2001, and one of my all-time favourites. So it was with the release of Nelly's second studio album, "Folklore" that I waited with baited breath. However, I need not have worried.
Folklore is an even more fabulous album than her debut, which sees Nelly bridging the gap and breaking the boundaries between different cultures and their musical styles. She hooks up with Track & Field once more, who she worked with on her masterpiece first album, but they've taken a different approach here. Gone is the record-scratching production of her debut, replaced by a much more serious, worldly and mature feel. Nelly's first album relied on its lyrics, beats and instrumental qualities. Folklore does more of the same, but bends the rules a little. It's hard to describe, but it's not hard to imagine Nelly and her production duo picking up any object from the studio floor and turning it into an instrument.
The album opens with the fantastic "One Trick Pony." Here Nelly declares that she is indeed no one trick pony, and that she will be around for a very long time. I have no doubt in this statement, especially when you have a wonderful orchestra build up to open the song, provided by the Kronos Quartet. The album's lead single, "Powerless (Say What You Want)," is easily Nelly's best single to date. It surpasses "Turn Off The Light" easily, and goes on to become one of 2003's best songs in a world of overproduced teeny-bopper junk. "Explode" could definitely be a single. The lyrics are deep with references to burns, rape, drinking and violence. Nelly sings of the 'teenage waste' which is followed by a phenomenal rap. It's catchy as heck. Nothing more to be said.
"Try" is the first ballad of the album. Nelly sings of people and their great expectations of her. All she can do is try as they just stand there, wanting more from her. The chorus is majestic, and reaches its pinnacle when Nelly wails, "And that's you, baby/This is me, baby/We are, we are/We are, we are!" "Fresh Off The Boat" could fit in perfectly on Nelly's debut. With a mixture of vocals and random sounds, the song has a hectic sound to it, with a fantastic clap-ending and some foreign warbling. "For?a" is like the centrepiece of the album. With its tropical and sunny feel, the song has a wonderful opening verse, followed by a swaying chorus that you can just jump up and down to, while thumping your fist in the air! The song peaks, falls, and carries on rising towards its fantastic ending.
"The Grass Is Green" is undeniably one of the best songs Nelly has ever recorded. The song opens with a deep and tranquil beat. Incredibly captivating and exotic, the bass is actually deeper than the vocals. It's so striking and deep as the ocean. It's these songs by Nelly that paint images of Canada in my mind. The mountains and the fields. Incredibly refreshing. "Picture Perfect" is one of the album's best songs, and a brilliant ballad where Nelly's vocals just rise and rise every second on the majestic chorus. The verses are so catchy, and the drums add that much needed rock-anthem feel to it. "Saturdays" is the shortest song on the album, and serves as more of an interlude in its acoustic style. In the context it's a fantastic song about Nelly's life before being a singer when she was a hotel cleaner. Jarvis Church helps her out, by repeating everything she sings in a high-pitched style.
"Build You Up" opens with the beat right next to the speaker, pumping out its violins. Nelly sings of the media and jealous people who build you up, but tear you down once you achieve fame. It's an emotionally-charged song, and it adds more dimensions to Nelly's already vast perspective on life. "Island Of Wonder" features Caetano Veloso as a guest on vocals. Nelly's voice is so passionate in this song, and the chirping/whispering as the song closes makes it even more surreal and multi-cultural. "Childhood Dreams" closes the album, and in awesome style. This song has done things to me that no other song has ever had the power to do. At just over six and a half minutes long, it's a moving masterpiece. An orchestra opens the song in a classical style, before the soft beat seeps in. After a minute, Nelly begins singing, "I can't believe you need me/I never thought I would be needed for anything," in such a beautiful voice. The lyrics are powerful and heartfelt. It almost makes me cry. A perfect ending to a second masterpiece album.
OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
Nelly Furtado has crafted another superb album here. Folklore is hands down my favourite album of 2003. Some people are hating this album, but I can't see why. It's a fantastic achievement, and I am sure that I will be listening to this for years to come. Nelly Furtado is already one of my all-time favourite female artists. She has so much talent that it's unbelievable. She writes some fantastic lyrics, produces some of the most creative beats, has some of the catchiest melodies, has a gorgeous voice, and is just drop-dead beautiful in the process! A true talent, and I'm sure she's going to be around for a very long time. I look forward to her third album. She could take 10 years for all I care. It would still be worth the wait.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Excellent Album - Highly Recommended, December 10, 2003
Make no mistake, Nelly Furtado's second album is one of the best -- if not the best -- albums of 2003. Folklore is a wonderfully thoughtful, highly polished, and absolutely vibrant album that is worth the price of admission.One thing about Folklore -- and also Whoa, Nelly!, for that matter -- is that each song is unique. If one song doesn't appeal to you, chances are another one will. From the lush, dream-like quality of "Island of Wonder" and "Childhood Dreams" to the simple, yet profound tracks such as "Saturdays," Nelly Furtado demonstrates an excellent spectrum of her capabilities. And yet, despite the diverse styles, the songs all come together perfectly. The consistency and continuity from track to track are unmistakable. One thing that never wanes is its quality. The themes and imageries in Folklore are something a lot of us can relate to. Something that speaks to us. Music, then, has a way of communicating to and touching its audience. In that sense, Folklore embodies everything that "music" ought to be. A casual listen of Folklore may hook you with its unique sounds and rhythm. But that's merely scratching the surface. A serious listen undoubtedly provides a deeper, richer experience -- as an awesome mix of instruments complements Furtado's silky-smooth delivery; and her lyrics, syntax, and choice of words paint a colourful, beautiful picture. I say this without reservations: Folklore is an intelligent album. You'll understand once you sit down and genuinely listen to it. The overall experience is one you should not pass up. Like the previous reviewer said: don't download this. Buy it. Obviously, this is my personal opinion, but for what it's worth, Folklore has my highest reccommendations. Ultimately, if you take the time to really listen to Folklore -- following the lyrics, and paying attention to what Nelly Furtado is trying to express, you won't be disappointed with what the album has to offer. And who knows, it just may turn out to be your most cherished CD.
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10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
An lush, amazing album, proving this new star's versatility, November 27, 2003
I am blown away by this album. It would be easy to write a review based on comparisons to her first album, but one of the things that really excites me about Nelly Furtado is how different this album is from her debut. Nelly Furtado broke onto the pop scene with "I'm like a bird", but her first album demonstrated that she was no mere 1 hit wonder. In her second album, she demonstrates her versatility and talent at a whole new level, proving that she can excel in different genres of music as well. It becomes obvious right from the beginning of the first song that this album is going to be something new, and very exotic - The sounds of Dance and R&B in her first album have given way to a brighter fusion of pop, electronica, and multicultral folk. From the exotic, almost middle-eastern groove of the opening track "One-trick pony" to the poignant folk/pop melodies of "Try" and the kinetic, exotic dancability of "Fresh off the Boat" (my favorite track), this album really delivers. However, fans of the first album who are looking for more of the same should be warned. "Folklore" is just as good as "Woah, Nelly!", but it's apples and oragnes, and only hints of the brilliant R&B lyricysm in her first album remain. In conclusion: Nelly Furtado is an artist who I think is going to continue to rise in popularity, and continue to release even better music, until she takes her place beside great popular musicians like the Red Hot Chili Peppers and Alanis Morrisette. Dispite a few tracks that are sub-par in my opinion (Childhood dreams, The grass is green), or just plain strange (Picture Perfect), there are so many touching, catchy, lush, and powerful songs in this album that its a shoe in for the rare "5" rating.
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~ Nelly Furtado
~ Nelly Furtado
~ Leona Lewis
~ Natasha Bedingfield
~ Katy Perry
by Nelly Furtado 
