Nelly Furtado - Whoa, Nelly!

Lord knows Nelly Furtado doesn't need my support. After winning a Grammy and selling a whole hell of a lot of Whoa, Nelly!, she probably doesn't need anyone's support really. People do genuinely enjoy Nelly Furtado. Even people who make music thinks she is talented; she's worked with The Roots, Jurassic 5, Paul Oakenfold, and Missy Elliott, among others. Heck, she used to be a trip-hop band called Nelstar, and it was actually pretty good. Yes, Nelly Furtado is on her way and it seems nothing can really stop her ascent to stardom. If you haven't heard her album, maybe it's time you give it shot. The first track, "Hey Man", starts out with an uncomplicated strings loop accompanied by a very humble, yet appropriate beat and strummed chords from an acoustic guitar. While this sounds like the beginning to countless songs, something about the arrangement is undeniably different - then Nelly Furtado starts to sing. There is just something about Canadian vocalists, they always have very unique voices. I think Furtado's voice fits nicely between "pleasant at times" and "a bit nasally" - for two great examples, see "I Will Make You Cry" and "Scared Of You". It's true that some people can't stand her voice, but then again some people can't stand the way a lot of people sing; it's just a matter of opinion. The way I see it, Nelly Furtado's voice is perfect for her style of music and just made me like her that much more. The second track is her new single, "Shit On The Radio", and begins to set the pace for the rest of the album: simple but effective beats, tasteful acoustic guitar for flavor, supportive bass lines, great melodies, and Portuguese, Brazilian, and Cuban influences - all with a tinge of hip-hop/R&B flair. Nelly Furtado celebrates diversity, and it's easy to see that with range of styles this album covers. There's something about accessible music, more specifically the music made by Nelly Furtado. People shouldn't be scared of it just because it is on MTV or it is fun. When people who listen to different genres, who have differing tastes, can come together because of something as simple as music, it's a lovely thing. I give Whoa, Nelly! 4.2 manstyle points. It's a wonderful album and the brilliance displayed in the tracks "Well, Well" and "Legend" will keep me coming back for more, but I'd like to see just how much farther she can push it. [www.nellyfurtado.com]