Beth Sanchez of Beth's Cakes - OKIE Magazine

English-language album since 2006, blends her
personal ethnocentric take on pop music with the
mainstream production which elevated her to fame.
Consequently, this previously winning formula has
meager sales.
Furtado is known for
writing or co-writing her
own songs, the sole
exception being “Bajo Otra
Luz” from her successful
Spanish-language album
Mi Plan. In little more than
a decade, the Canadian
songbird from Victoria,
BC has explored various
factions of pop, including
adult contemporary,
electronica, R&B, and
world music.
Her debut album Woah,
mainstream, following up
with an acclaimed remix
of “Get Ur Freak On” with
Missy Elliott. Sophomore
her third album Loose,
produced by Timbaland,
more than compensated
for it with multiple charttopping
singles internationally. With her last English
that she failed to score another home run.
Both of the album’s lead singles, “Big Hoops (Bigger
the Better)” and “Parking Lot,” were produced by the
legendary Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins. “Big Hoops,”
Nations dancers, charted highest in the UK at No. 14;
it only reached the top thirty of the Canadian Hot 100
and failed to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. “Parking
media, has become her second single to fail to chart
on the Hot 100.
What gives? While maintaining her artistic integrity,
The Spirit Indestructible is at times as inaccessible as
Folklore though channeling the marketability of Loose.
On an unrelated note, this album has found its greatest
success within German-speaking Europe: it peaked at
No. 3 in Germany and Switzerland and No. 8 in Austria.
The title track, doubling as the opening track, is
a perfect example of Furtado’s brand. It begins in a
vaguely nostalgic, simple keyboard melody. Then
equivalent of an audio blockbuster.
Singles aside, the
majority of The Spirit
Indestructible languishes
in mellow territory, with
themes of nostalgia,
Nearly all of the tracks
could be used as
background music for
television dramas made
for young adults, but
remain mostly forgettable.
The deluxe edition
features extra tracks
which strengthen the
album. “Hold Up” goes
harder than anything
Furtado has done
before, while “Be OK”
featuring Dylan Murray
is the obvious choice
for what could be a
successful single on adult
contemporary radio. The
remainder of the bonus
tracks builds upon the
album, most of which could have easily remained on
the album proper.
The greatest weakness Furtado faces in the current
marketplace is that, like Morrissey, she has produced
more of the same with her sound while subtly updating
her image, most notably with an updated personal
logo. This is by no means a complaint; what she
does, she does well, with none of her contemporaries
coming near her organic talent.
shameless dance-pop is reaching its expiration date,
while folk music and quiet storm R&B patiently await
their comebacks as heralded by acts like Mumford &
Sons and The Weeknd. Nelly Furtado bridges the nonexistent
gaps of these trends, touching on the qualities
of all while never sounding disingenuous. This concept
would be refreshing were it not stale.
Taylor B, an Army Brat via Fort Sill, is still waiting for
“My Love Grows Deeper Pt. 2.”
OKIE MAGAZINE www.okiemagazine.com Page 38