Customer Reviews

Whoa Nelly

5 star:		(214)
4 star:		(84)
3 star:		(25)
2 star:		(18)
1 star:		(30)

 

 

For those of us who had heard much about Nelly but hadnt actually heard her music or her wonderful voice, her recent appearance on Jay Leno's show singing her beautiful first single 'Im like a bird' was introduction enough.

Nelly's music is arresting. From the opening numbers to the closing song, what strikes the listener most is that each of the songs could be a potential hit single, something last witnessed only on Alanis Morissette's 'Jagged little pill'. Nelly sounds nothing like Alanis, but what she manages is nothing short of extraordinary.

'Whoa, Nelly' seems like a careless album title, but its not. Once you listen to the album, you know that it captures the singer's spirit and her vibrancy perfectly. It also indicates that this is a fun album - no soulful dirges a la Sarah McLachlan and no pointless poetry like Jewel's.

This album is one of those that will set a trend - Nelly has bridged the gap between pop music and folk culture, Spanish dance and tribal chants. While there are traces of Lauryn Hill influenced hip-hop, the album remains fresh and original throughout, and evokes Joni Mitchell in patches.

One thing is certain : 'Whoa, Nelly' brings to the fore a beautiful and remarkably gifted new songstress, and I can't wait for more of her work. In the meantime, you sure will be listening to this one for much of this year. Yes, its that addictive.

Kabir Ahamed.

This Lady stopped me in my tracks. I generally hate contemporary pop music. This is really different. She has a marvellous delivery. The backup musicians are excellent. The production values are top-notch. The beat is infectious beyond belief! I don't care what genre of music you listen to, this CD has got to at least be listened to for you to form an opinion. My bet is that it will capture you instantly, as it did me.

BK

Show me another artist who has the same sound as Nelly Furtado....give up yet? She's created her own sound by combining latin, hip-hop, folk,and a little bit of rock. Can you say awesome?

1)Hey, Man!-Soaring guitar and string arrangements and a great chorus make this a superior opening song. 5/5

2)Sh-t on the Radio-Another song with a great chorus. The song's about Nelly telling somebody off. Sounds like a latin-y song with Alanis-like lyrics. 4.5/5

3)Baby Girl-I really like the jangly guitar at the beginning. This is another latin-y song that you can't help dancing and singing to. 5/5

4)Legend-At first listen I didn't really like this song but it's grown on me. I especially like in the middle of the song where it does this little breakdown thing. I'm not really sure how to describe it but it's cool. Nelly's voice sounds the best on this song. 4/5

5)I'm Like a Bird-Even though I've heard this song countless time I still love it. There's not one bad thing about this song and it's rally fun to belt it out at the end. 5/5

6)Turn Off the Light-This is my all time favorite song! There's almost a dreamlike quality quality about it and the chorus is amazing. Very uplifting. 5/5

7)Trynna Finda Way-I think this song is supposed to be about Nelly's road to fame but I'm not sure. I like how the verses are spoken and the lyrics are great. 5/5

8)Party-This is like a samba or a rhumba or one of those latin dances. A very different kind of party song and is fun to do funky latin dance moves to 4.5/5

9)Well, Well-The happy-go-lucky song on the album. The beginning is rather annoying and cheesy until the beat comes in but be sure to listen to the whole song because it's pretty good. 4/5

10)My Love Grows Deeper Part 1-This song is pretty funky and has the best chorus I've ever heard in my life, but it's weaker than the others. 3.5/5

11)I Will Make U Cry-I think this shows Nelly's insane egomaniac side. If you read the lyrics you'll see what I mean. Again the chorus is incredibly good. 4.5/5

12)Scared of You-The only slow song on the whole album. It's quite beauiful but is about 3 minutes too long which is why I don't really like it. 3/5

All in all I think this is a very promising debut and I can't wait until her next album! Love~Butterfly

Nelly Furtado is going to become a diva. Her cd rocks (although the first time you hear it you might regard it as a little strange) But after you listen to it a couple times, you hear the real beauty. Her words seem like they are coming from a much older person, but she is only 20 years old! Don't let her age fool you, she was doing Lilith Fair before she even had a record out! That's how good she is. She's opened for U2 and she is going to have a few shows with David Gray. Anyway, about the cd... Hey Man! A very strong opening song. .... On the Radio is very cool, it talks about her waiting to be heard. Baby Girl is pretty good, but its not my favorite song. Legend is a smooth song with her Portuguese flavor added. I'm Like A Bird, well hopefully you have heard that. Turn Off the Light is one of my favorite songs, she's saying words so fast you have to try to catch up with her. Trynna Find a Way is weird the 1st time you hear but it grows on you. Party this is another smooth song that was on the Brokedown Palace soundtrack. Well Well is one of those happy songs that makes you feel good.My Love Grows Deeper Every Day has 3 different melodies that sound like something you've heard before but you haven't. I will make you cry is a very frantic song that is strange, but it too grows on you. Scared of you is a very pretty ballad that is in English and Portuguese. Just letting you know: Nelly is NOT the Canadian Britney Spears or a poorman's version of Alanis or Jewel! SHe is better than all of them! SHe writes her own music, none of her songs sound the same and she is completely unique! Buy this cd and you'll love Nelly's music too!

Nelly Furtado will no doubt be one of the most talked about new artists of the coming year. I believe that this Cd is one of the best debut albums by a female artist, it's comparible to Fiona Apple's Tidal. To descibe Nelly's singing voice I would say that she sounds like Gwynn Stefani.There is no filler on this album only great songs. This is one of the few Cd's that I could put on and listen to straight through. Here is my opinion of each song.

1. Hey Man!- Great song very reminicent of Joni Mitchel. Very pretty uses a great string arangement.

2.......On the radio- Great song, sounds like it could have been written for TLC.

3. Baby Girl- Kind of wierd, has a sort of heavy metal thing at the begining, but still a good song.

4. Legend- Clearly the album's best track, filled with brilliant lyrics and beautifully produced.

5. I'm Like a bird- The first single, I saw the video and knew I had to have her album, a really great song.

6. Turn Of the light- An okay song seems a bit out of place on this album.

7.Trynna Finda Way- Another of the best on the album, has a cool country/rock thing going on, very cool. My second favorite song on the album.

8. Party- Nelly gets down with her bad self! A cool dance song, has a very cool bossanova beat to it.

9. Well, Well- Very cool, great lyrics very insightful. Nelly sings " Looks liks I only love god when the sun shines my way." Great song.

10. My Love Grows Deeper Part 1- A good song, but dosen't really stand out on this great album.

11. I Will Make You Cry- Another really good song.

12. Scared Of You- A Really pretty slow song sung partly in Portugese. Another stand out track.

Nelly is one of those artists you know will only get better with time. I can't wait to hear what she'll sound like in 10 years, because if she keeps making albums like this she'll be around for that long or longer.

Ok, so when I first listened to this album, I didn't get it.Now, I can't stop listening to it!!I liked Nelly when she first came out, and getting her album only made me a bigger fan!Nelly is awesome!Her vocals are totally unique, and chilled.She always manages to sound effortless, which I love,she never sounds like she's trying too hard!The whole album is laid-back,enjoyable, and I actually found myself gushing when nelly does her cool little lines in some of her songs(sooo cute!).She is able to combine differen types of music,reggae,hip hop, bossa nova, and throw in her Portugese roots here and there, which is part of the reason she's so different from everyone out there.here is a review of each song.

1.HEY MAN-a nice song.I like how she puts in some classical music here and there in the song,cuz they make the song sound versatile.The song has an easy,breezy feel to it,a bit like I'm like a bird.good song.4/5

2....ON THE RADIO(remember the days)-I like this song so much.It is and r'b/hip hop song,and is the only song on the album which is a totally different style than all the rest.good lyrics and nice beat.4/5

3.BABY GIRL-my fave!!!I love this song!!!!the opening of the song is kinda chilly, but it opens into a mid-tempo song with mostly acoustic guitar sounds in the backround.good lyrics, and what really makes this song all that is the awesome portugese style line that appears throughout the song.5/5

4.LEGEND-this is reggae style song with a really pretty portugese style melody.good lyrics,too.4.5/5

5.IM LIKE A BIRD-the reason i bought this album, and the reason Nelly became the huge star she is today!!soaring, with awesome,chilled, and a bit raspy vocals-awesome, soaring, and a very"free" song.5/5

6.TURN OF THE LIGHT-another one of her hits,(kool video)!this is an awesome song with a very trip hop feel to it.great vocals(similiar to "i'm like a bird's"),wierd, upbeat, and just plain awesome.5/5

7.TRYNNA FIND AWAY-i like this song soo much!!its the most pop/disco influenced song on the album.I thought it would some corny ballad, but it's actually an awesome dance song, with a cool spoken part.4.5/5

8.PARTY-the only song on this album that I don't really like.it needs some pepper,but it's ok.a little inderect.2.5/5

9.WELL,WELL-I love this song soooooo much!Also one of my faves on the album(can't really choose between baby girl,i will make u cry, and this).this is a really happy,inspiring song, with really good lyrics.

10.My LOVE GROWS DEEPER-Good song.Sounds like it could be a part of a movie,.kind of dreamy and starry.4/5

11/I WILL MAKE U CRY-One of the 3 faves!!I love this song!!it has a portugese vibe and is incredibly mature.i am CRAZY bout the part where Nelly starts to sing at an incredibly fast speed, and then blows a kiss.great song.gorgeous.55555555/5

12.SCARED OF YOU-a really beautiful, natural song .Nelly's voice is so prety and gentle here.5/5

13.ONDE ESTAS-obviously,this is in Portugese.Nelly sounds kool in Portugese, and totally different, her voice just changes.good song, but not that good.3.5/5

There you have it.a great singer/songwriter with soul,style, and talent!Like all good albums,it takes time to really like it, but trust me once you do you won't be able to stop listening to it.GO NELLY!

To say that Nelly Furtado is talented is a gross understatement. She sings, she writes, she produces, she amazes!! I haven't been so excited about a new artist ever! Listening to her album, you'd think she's been around for years but she's only 21! This album is fantastic. It is a collection of refreshing, original, wonderfully creative songs. Songs that everyone can sing, songs that are yet to be classics. The album's consistency reminds me of Fleetwood Mac's "Rumours" or Madonna's "Like a Prayer" We're talking classic here. For those that need a LABEL, it has pop, hip-hop, alternative, ethnic sounds...yes very eclectic but every cut is a masterpiece. They have melody, they have creative, rythmic production and wow! they have a point. The first single is "I'm like a Bird" a wonderfully melodic pop song...but no way comparable to Britney or Christina (thank god!) Nelly is the daughter of Portuguese parents. Nelly fuses Portuguese musical sounds and rythyms into her songs and I'm glad she did! This has resluted in some of the most freshest songs I've ever heard. If you're looking for a change, if you want to be blown away by a creative artist, then check this out! You won't believe it. This review doensn't do her justice either...only one word desribes my feeling after listening to Nelly, EUPHORIC!

"Whoa Nelly" is a melting pot of styles and themes, most about love or lack of it. The songs are catchy and original (my favourites are "Turn off the light" and "Onde estas") and deserve to win many more Junos and Grammys this year. Nelly's songwriting and singing talents are incredible. She makes every note, every lyric accessible and soulful. "I'm Like A Bird" is the song that everyone is familiar with from airplay but "Turn Off the Light" is being played often as well and I actually prefer it to "I'm Like a Bird." Nelly's voice croons, belts, lashes out, soothes...she covers a wide range of emotions in the fifteen tracks, taking us on a journey of discovery.

The songs blend elements of hip-hop, R&B, Brazilian beats, and pop with slick production values. At first listen this album seems too mature, too confident to be a first album, but with such talent who knows what the future will hold for Nelly Furtado?

This UK edition features three bonus songs ("I Feel You" with Estero, "My Love Grows Deeper" single version, and "Onde Estas," a beautiful slow Portuguese-language love song about the sea) that are well worth the import price.

If you have eclectic musical tastes, this CD is definitely for you. Nelly beautifully combines trip hop, pop, rock, jazz, and r&b into a unique package that's all her own. Here is a guide to the songs on the album:

1. Hey Man - (8/10) It starts out with an orchestra playing and then launches into an upbeat pop song driven by guitar, strings, and Nelly's soaring, Alanis-style vocals. Definitely a song that shouldn't be skipped.

2. ...On the Radio (Remember the Days) - (9/10) This song has an r&b beat with personal lyrics and a beautiful chorus. Her vocals shine on this one.

3. Baby Girl (10/10) - Quite possibly the best track on the CD. It starts out with a guitar riff and Nelly whispering "Come here" but then it turns into a jazz tinged song that is unlike anything I've ever heard before. The chorus is very catchy, but not annoyingly poppy. The best part of this song is the jazz influence, trumpet, and Nelly's crackly voice. Love it.

4. Legend (10/10) - This one is very jazzy and it's good throughout the whole track but it's picked up a notch with Nelly pseudo rapping. The lyrics are very interesting, too.

5. I'm Like a Bird (6/10) - I don't need to describe this song because everyone contemplating buying "Whoa, Nelly!" has already heard it anyway. I gave it a six because I really don't like this song. It's the only song on the CD I skip.

6. Turn Off the Light (10/10) - This song has a cool beat with a wonderful acoustic guitar. The best part is the chorush, it has a really good rhythm and Nelly pulls it off so well. It's so catchy and just a great track.

7. Trynna Find a Way (7/10) - A lot of people probably think this track is "weird." I admit, I thought so too at first, but it really grows on you. It stars out with Nelly sighing "I left my heart in San Francisco with some club kids..." and then it picks up a trip hop beat. The chorus is surprising because all of a sudden it loses the trip hop and turns into a rock style song, but then it returns to the the trip hop again. This one just grows on you.

8. Party - (9/10) This song has a drum in it that nicely accentuates the beat. The lyrics to this song are witty - "It's not that the glass is half empty, but I need another cup" - and the melody is cool. It's the kind of song you'd like to chill too on a Sunday night.

9. Well, Well - (10/10) This one is probably the most pop song on the CD, similar to "I'm Like a Bird" only much better. Nelly's voice is, as always, the best part of the song, but it has a catchy tune that you'll be humming all day. The drums are also cool.

10. My Love Grows Deeper Part 1 (7/10) This one is calm, with a unique beat carrying Nelly's voice. I like it.

11. I Will Make U Cry (10/10) - the BEST song on the album. It starts out with a piano and chanting, then Nelly launches into rap. Her rap isn't like the mediocre works of Snoop Dogg though, it's more smooth and rhythmic. It makes the song sound amazing. I love the chorus too, and the emotion in the song. For example, when singing "I will make you cry," Nelly sobs and it sounds like she's really crying. A must listen to.

12. Scared Of You (8/10) - The acoustic guitar is lovely, and Nelly's voice soars. A truly beautiful conclusions to such an excellent album.

If you don't already have "Whoa, Nelly!" you should run, not walk, to the record store.

With pop icons such as Britney Spears and Christina Aguilera ruling the charts these days, Nelly Furtado is a breath of fresh air. Upon first inspection, one might wave this album off as one by yet another pretty girl just off the assembly line for the purpose of monetary gains by way of ridiculous CD and bubble gum sales. Quite the contrary. One important fact is that Nelly is Portuguese, and she embraces her ethnicity in an authentic manner, infusing each song with soulful rhythms and spicy attitude, thus separating her music from all the others that sound purely manufactured and vapid. Her voice is peculiar and shifts from Gwen Stefani-esque to T Box-esque to Fiona Apple-esque, which makes every song an exhilarating conglomeration of trip hop, pop, R&B, and world beat. Here's a track by track review:

1. Hey, Man (10/10): A relatively fast tempo song that starts strong by the pulse of strings. Not only is the melody memorable and uplifting, but the lyrics are also well-written here. The ending is particularly memorable, as Nelly utilizes her voice in a creative manner as the song fades out.

2. ...On the Radio (Remember the Days) (10/10): A radio-friendly song that sounds even better live, it consists of Latin-inspired rhythmic beats and staccato singing that eventually flows into a soaring melody.

3. Baby Girl (8/10): A morose tune by the guitar and an unusual chorus coupled with lyrics declaring independence makes this a popular song, but melodically it is not as strong as the others.

4. Legend (10/10): One of the best songs on the album that begins with delicate piano notes that blends into the harmonious guitars. Nelly's voice is at its best here, as it is soft and high in the beginning, but halfway into the song it interrupts into a little rap with the help of edgy Latin beats.

5. I'm Like a Bird (9/10): Of course, the most popular song (thus far) off of the album for obvious reasons - it sounds the most "normal". However, this is not the best song on the album, and listeners who do not fancy this song should at least sample the others before making a decision.

6. Turn Off the Light (10/10): The eclectic video aptly accompanies this versatile song. This is another highlight of the album that demonstrates Nelly's voice and song-writing capacity. About 2:31 into the song, Nelly erupts into a lonesome verse that is for sure to make it a favorite among many.

7. Trynna Finda Way (8/10): This is partly sung and partly spoken, and although it is vocally interesting, it is not suited for everybody's taste. The message, however, is dogmatic and inspirational, and overall it is reminiscent of an inner city girl singing in the streets with her friends.

8. Party (10/10): Fast Latin song that is punctuated by many sound effects and some alterations to the voice. A mixture of Latin and funk that is very well suited for parties or get-togethers.

9. Well, Well (7/10): The unusual beginning makes it sound like a children's song, but then it picks up to add a rather noteworthy beat. This is a cheerful song along the lines of the fifth track.

10. My Love Grows Deeper Part 1 (8/10): The beginning is not particularly good, but wait until :29 into the song, then the force of the melody will reveal and imbed itself into one's mind. This sounds better acoustically, however, without some of the distractions that are available on the album version.

11. I Will Make You Cry (10/10): Without a doubt the best track on the entire album. It starts with fleeting piano notes and a lightning-fast rap accompanied by an enthusiastic chorus. Nelly shows off her angry side here, as her voice sounds more energetic than in any other track.

12. Scary of You (7/10): An abrupt change of pace; this is the only slow song on the entire album, and it is sung in Portuguese. The gentle chorus and the gorgeous guitars make this song sound worldly and nothing short of beautiful.

BOTTOM LINE: This eclectic blend of genres is something the music world needs to hear more of, and Miss Furtado is leading the pack to music that contains more profundity and ingenuity. If most of the songs come off as strange, it is because this is how music should be: unpredictable, exciting, and heterogeneous. It is time that music free of synthesizers, "I can't live without you baby" lyrics, and morphed voices that disguise a lack of vocal ability cease being the number one songs in America or anywhere else. Elaborate dance choreography and ostentatious costumes should not be allowed to substitute for a lack of creativity and a comprehension of true music.