Disco de Nelly Furtado: “Folklore”

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.

Upon hearing ''I'm Like A Bird'' for the very first time, I instantly took a dislike for it. Her voice and the simplistic lyrics pulled me off the song. I completely dismissed her as a MTV darling and never purchase her debut album. The other single releases from ''Whoa Nelly'' did peak my curiosity though Nelly Furtado didn't manage to keep my attention. However a gem named ''Powerless (Say What You Want) did the trick and evidently I gave in and purchased ''Folklore''.

Given the massive success of ''Whoa, Nelly'', there must have been a huge pressure on Furtado's shoulders to deliver the goods. Whereas ''Whoa, Nelly'' did extremely well, ''Folklore'' seems to be a slow-burner reaching No. 38 in the US and No. 62 in the UK. Massive sales don't always equal better or quality, so despite ''Folklore'' not selling millions, it is still one of the better releases of 2003 in my opinion.

The album-starter ''One Trick Pony'' is a perfect platform to open ''Folklore'' with. Nelly Furtado declares she is determinate to be a force to be reckon with. The tune starts off with dream-like music and evolve into an anthem celebrating indecency and individuality. Perhaps it might see the light of day as a single release, it's definitely worthy of one. The lead single ''Powerless (Say What You Want) reached no. 13 in the UK and it's most likely one of Nelly Furtado's best releases to date. Perhaps the use of instruments rarely heard in ''pop music'' captured my attention. It sounded completely different than most of the music playing on radio and still does. ''Explore'' is one of the most upbeat tracks on ''Folklore'', however its lyrics and rock-inspired music holds the attention of the listener. ''Try'' is easily one of my favourite tunes off ''Folklore'' and I'm hoping it will be given a single release. Nelly Furtado's voice sounds extremely good in the chorus, which showcases her grown as a vocalist as well. Gone for the most parts are her nasal-sounding voice from her debut single releases, however ''Fresh Off The Boat'' sees Nelly Furtado using it once more. ''Forca'' is a mixture of handclasps, banjo and different noises through-out the entire ordeal and the chorus is so enjoyable, you can't help singing along. The sway-like and seductive ''Grass Is Green'' is one of my favourite off ''Folklore''. ''Picture Perfect'' displays one of Nelly's best vocal performance on the record. Her voice goes up and down through-out the song. ''Saturday'' is a short introduction to her past. The opening of the song works quite well, however it bounders on annoyance towards the end of the song as a guy keeps repeating her words in a very high-pitched voice and suddenly Nelly Furtado bursts out laughing. The Sade-esque ''Build You Up'' is easily one of the best offering on the album. ''Island Of Wonder'' is an erotic gem, which features Caetano Veloso as a guest vocalist. It's soft and dream-like sound takes you on a journey of love, infatuation and lust. The closer of the album belongs to ''Childhood Dreams'', which could be classify as a lullaby of some sort. It's a tad long for my liking though I still seem to enjoy it anyhow.

So what is it that makes ''Folklore'' a rewarding listen? For once the use of ''un-tradional'' instruments such as banjos, various noises etc. really makes the album far more interesting. The production of the album is truly marvellous. ''Folklore'' is filled with fresh and well-crafted tunes and there are hardly any fillers to skip, it's enjoyable from start to finish. Sure ''Folklore'' doesn't have a stand-out song like ''I'm like A Bird'', which I didn't care for anyway. Some might argue that there isn't enough single material on the album, however as a whole ''Folklore'' is a very cohesive release. The record lures you in within a couple of listens and you are hooked. I regard ''Folklore'' as one of my favourite releases of 2003.

Overall Rate: 8.5/10

Although it is three years after the release of this album, I felt that in light of her releasing her new album (Loose due out June 20th, 2006) I should revisit her album Folklore. I absolutely adore this album, and although I can't force you to buy it (because if I could I would) I hope this review will excite you to buy and listen to this amazing album.

The album begins with the ever powerful track 'One-Trick Pony'. Aside from amazing orchestration (Kronos Quartet) and interesting beats throughout the song, the deep but simple lyrics make the best statement. Standout lyrics: "You say, you're identical to none but you're identical to some, who wants to be a some? Not Me"

The first single 'Powerless' is the second track and has one of the catchiest beats on the album. The lyrics are extremely representative of a ethnic person's fight in a country that is not their own to fit in and be somebody. Standout lyrics: "Hey you, the one that don't fit in, how ya, how ya gonna get in, get in? Hey you, the one outside, are you ever gonna get in?"

The third song is 'Explode' and it's very representative of the emotions teenagers experience in this day and age. It's extremely captivating. Standout lyrics: "It's truth or dare, we don't care."

There really are no words to justifiably represent the beauty of the fourth track 'Try'. The lyrics and the music are fantastic. The arrangement is breathtaking. Unlike the single/video version, the album version is much more like a freestyle poem. The chorus only happens twice, she ad-libs in the ending. It's just.. wow. Standout lyrics: "All of the moments that already passed. We'll try to go back and make them last. All of the things we want each other to be. We never will be. We never will be. And that's wonderful. That's life." and "That's you baby. This is me baby. We are. We are. We are. Free to love."

'Fresh off the Boat' really hit close to home because I am a Canadian immigrant like Nelly (although she is Portugese and I'm Latin American). Although the exciting and busy music took a while to grow on me the message is exactly how you feel as an immigrant. The beauty of it is that while the statement 'fresh off the boat' is usually used as an insult she takes the saying back and uses it as a representation of pride, beauty and the idea of being grateful of the opportunities in a new country. Standout lyrics: "I rock these bare feet like no one else can. My hands are dirty I like 'em that way. Shows who I am"

'Forca'. A moving song about the power from within. Standout lyrics: "It is the passion flowing right on through your veins.

And it's the feeling like you're oh so glad you came. And it's the moment you remember you're alive. It is the air you breathe, the element, the fire"

'The Grass is Green' is about wanting what you can't have. And if by chance you do get what you want, it's about realizing that sometimes things can be deceiving. Standout lyrics: "You opened up to me 'til I could only see the beauty in your dishonesty."

'Picture Perfect' is perfect. The round/buildup at the very end is simply magnificent. Standout lyrics: "So you made an oil painting to immortalize all of the hope and vision in your eyes..."

'Saturdays' is the only song I will skip on the CD but that is of no fault of the lyrics or the music. I just cannot tolerate Jarvis Church singing in the background. Otherwise a very personal tribute to Nelly's previous life. Standout lyrics: "I rest my heart and dream of the city."

'Build You Up' is about how many people can and will let you down. But then there's that one person who never will. Standout lyrics: "Put your heart in my hands and I won't hurt you." and "I'll never build you up only to tear you down...I love you the way you are." The piano at the end is simply brilliant as well.

'Island of Wonder' is about the island of Azores (off the coast of Portugal where she is from). It's very mysterious and hypnotic. Caetano Veloso adds an excellent vibe to this beautiful ethnic song. Standout lyrics: "Island of wonder. where do you come from? Is it the way the sun hits my face? Or is it your memory which I cannot trace?" and "Look at me I have so much pride. I took my shoes off I ran I did not hide."

and lastly 'Childhood Dreams' which is most definitely my favourite track on the entire album. The organ intro is haunting but intriguing and sets the mood for the rest of the song. It's about finding the one person who is meant for you entirely, who if you haven't found yet, you know is out there somewhere. Standout lyrics: the entire song.. but if I have to choose: "I can't believe you need me. I never thought I would be needed for anything. I can't believe my shoulder would carry such important weight. As your head and your tears..." and "Before this existence you were always there waiting for me. You are, you are the realest thing I know." This song is just absolutely magical.

This album is definitely a must have.

Nelly Furtado is back! With a more mature sound, Nelly is out to give fans a sample of who Nelly Furtado really is. Nelly starts the album by declaring that she isn't a "One-Trick Pony" and moves right into vilifying the media w/lyrics "paint my face w/your magazines / make it look whiter than it seems / paint me over w/your dreams / shove away my ethnicity". "Explode" is a feverous, rhythmic tune that entices listeners w/its odd use of instruments while "Try" is a definite radio-friendly ballad that will last. "Fresh Off the Boat" will surely be Nelly's big hip-hop hit, as "Força" will probably be heard on many movie soundtracks... Overall, "Folklore" is a fun-filled album w/maturity yet it still has the loveable trip-hop, hip-hop, "folky", rock sound that makes Nelly Furtado a person to respect and love forever and ever (amen)!

One-Trick Pony: 9/10 ~ it's a bold song stating, "I am not a one-trick pony" and furthering it w/amazing backgrounds.

Powerless: 10/10 ~ It is one of the catchiest songs ever. I cannot get that song out of my head and I've listened to it over and over...

Explode: 10/10 ~ another catchy song w/deep lyrics. It also displays fireworks, a squeaky organ, rhythm guitar and many other live instruments to make a feverous song.

Try: 10/10 ~ It is basically a pop-rock song Nelly Furtado style.

Fresh Off the Boat: 10/10 ~ this song sounds like a "Whoa, Nelly!" track w/its simply catchy rhythms and deep lyrics.

Força: 9/10 ~ though, Nelly's nasal voice is present on this track more so, the song is amazing. You will definitely catch this song in many movies of 2004. It is a soundtrack song Nelly Furtado style and I LOVE IT!

The Grass Is Green: 9/10 ~ At this point, ppl may get bored with the album but Nelly doesn't let that happen easily. This, like other Nelly songs progresses to the point where you're singing along and you don't know why.

Picture Perfect: 9/10 ~ same as above

Saturdays: 7/10 ~ it is an impromptu song which is a little irritating at first but you grow to love and you may even start skrewing around as Nelly Furtado and Jarvis Church do.

Build You Up: 9/10 ~ I think it is a radio-friendly ballad. It progresses from slow to slow and rhythmic. It is an amazing song.

Island of Wonder: 10/10 ~ this song sums up the entire album w/its use of instruments to its scratches by DJ Lil'Jaz to its guest Caetano Veloso. It is hip-hop and Latin and a lil' bit of everything really.

Childhood Dreams: 9/10 ~ the song starts slow but progresses to another catchy beat as "Build You Up" does. It ends the album on a high note w/it's bright lyrics and w/the way the song seemingly soars through the sky.

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.