Loose Reviews

• The cd to dance to

  
  By A3U5CZ3PV82JXD on 2006-06-21
  This is my first Nelly Furtado and I love it! I've followed her career but I've never bought her two previous cds. This cd is perfect for when you're just in the mood to dance and don't care what anyone thinks.
  1.Afraid-I love this song. It's a great song to start the cd off and I love the chorus. 5/5
  
  2.Maneater-I saw Nelly perform this on SNL and it was awesome. I really like the end of the song. I got the Target edition of "Loose" that has the Maneater music video on it and I can tell this song is going to do really well. It's an ode to those man-eaters out there. 5/5
  
  3.Promiscuous-it's the hit single that is everywhere. This song is so good and my favorite on the cd. 5/5
  
  4.Glow-I like this track but not as much as the first three tracks on the cd. I have a feeling this song is going to grow on me though. The sound is like the dance tempo on the first 3 song. 4/5
  
  5.Showtime-this is the first slower tempo song on the cd. It's pretty good song and good one to either wind down on a night out or to take a breather. 5/5
  
  6.No hay igual-this song picks up the tempo. It kind of reminds me of a Shakira type of song. But it's very good and it's in Spanish. 5/5
  
  7.Te Busque-the second slower tempo song on the disc. I like it a lot, especially the chorus. 5/5
  
  8.Say it right-Love, love it, love it. The beat is unbelievable. I know it's going to be one of my favorites. 5/5
  
  9.Do it-Another dance song. It's very cool and it kind of reminds me of a 80's song a bit. 5/5
  
  10. In God's hands-a very sweet ballad. The song is just great. 5/5
  
  11. Wait for you-this song has Middle Eastern sound to it. It's not one of my favorites so far on the cd but it's not bad. 4/5
  
  12.All good things(come to an end)- Oh gosh, I love this song! It's down tempo and I really love the lyrics. Nelly sounds really sweet. 5/5
  
  13. Te Busque(Spanish version)-this version is just as good as the English version. 5/5
  
  I am so glad I bought this cd. I know it's going to be in my cd player a lot. So if you're new to Nelly-like me- and like the song Promiscuous or a huge fan who has followed her for years this cd is a must.
  
  

• Tight!

  
  By A37PV5GMP2ILJC on 2006-06-20
  Nelly Furtado's collaboration with Timbaland and Danja has really paid off - her third studio album has something for anybody who's into Pop, Latin, Dance, R&B and Hip Hop, with three hot singles right off the bat in "Promiscuous", "Maneater" and "No Hay Igual".
  
  Spiced up by guest appearances by Attitude and Latin super-hottie Juanes, this album is packed with guaranteed hits and potential singles including the three above, plus "Afraid", "Glow", "Te Busque", "Say It Right", "Do It", "Wait For You" (great intro), and the beautiful ballads "In God's Hands" and "All Good Things (Come to an End)", which is one of the best songs on the album.
  
  At almost an hour long, Nelly really delivers the goods with this album, both as a singer and songwriter. For three more songs, check out the Japanese version, also sold on Amazon.
  
  
  Amanda Richards, June 20, 2006
  
  
  

• If you like her other stuff, CAUTION, this is nothing like it.

  
  By A1EFUMOURJFO8U on 2006-06-23
  I noticed that neither here nor at CD universe could I listen to samples of this CD. I'm pretty sure it's because it's SOOOOOO different. I managed to hear good samples at Barnes and Knobles and I could tell immediately I hated this CD. Too bad for me. Her first CDs were so unique, wonderfully melodic catchy songs, so refreshing. All I can imagine is her record company wanted to see something much different, thinking maybe sales would climb. I have no idea. But the artist on those first two CD's is nowhere to be found here. Not that this is bad. I have no idea. It's certainly nothing I care for though. Be cautious, that's all I'm saying. This is probably not what you think it is if you are a fan from her previous work.
  
  

• A once great artist buckles under industry pressure.

  
  By A2C5I1CZ7SC5DS on 2006-06-23
  When I first heard "Promiscuous", I was shocked. But after a few more spins, it became perfectly clear. This is Nelly's last gasp at mainstream success. "Folklore" was one of my top 5 albums of 2003. It was beautiful, complex and deep without being too hard to grasp. Which was a welcomed suprise, because I expected it to be what this is. Unfortunately, it was also a commercial flop. With tons of cash invested, industry bigwigs went into a state of panic. How do we try to make our money back? By forcing the hand of an amazing and unique artist to come up with something "catchy" and "fun" and "cool". Or they'll promptly drop her. And what's more "cool" than riding the Gwen Stefani quasi-hip hop bandwagon? Nothing, apparently. It's unfortunate because this is the antithesis of "Folklore". This is just callous and emotionless; generic and safe. This is simpleton music for simpleton people. There is no way I can believe that this record is something Nelly Furtado wanted to do.
  
  So, with that said, I forsee one of two things happening:
  
  A) This record blows up well beyond expectation, bringing Nelly Furtado to heights she's never been. In which case, you can kiss Nelly Furtado-the real artist from "Whoa, Nelly" and "Folklore"- goodbye.
  
  OR
  
  
  B) This record will tank so bad that the label will drop her, she'll sign with a good major-indie, and go back to writing the high quality, thoughtful and emotive music we all know she is capable of.
  
  
  We can only hope for option B.
  
  

• What a sell out!

  
  By A1ESCLVZJ1YIIK on 2006-06-23
  I loved Nelly Furtado's cd Folklore. But what I used to love about Nelly Furtado was that she prided herself in her music... not bumping and grinding with Justin Timberlake. Why does nearly every single famous female feel the need to suddenly become a sex image? She's a gorgeous girl and she doesn't need to sport a baby tee to prove it. For that reason alone, I can't see myself purchasing her cd despite her talent in music.
  
  
• BE WARNED, NOT FOR THE TRUE NELLY FANS!!!
  By A10NTWVFIXJTNY on 2006-06-23
  Have you ever bought a CD so good that you can't take it out of your CD player for about a month? Well, this is not that CD (for all you hardcore Nelly fans). I must've made a mistake, I thought I bought Nelly Furtado, not Nelly. Not only is the album a flop but the feeble attempt to perform these songs live have outstandingly failed, EVERY time. Please Mizz Nelly send me my money back.
  
  WHERE IS NELLY FURTADO AND WHAT HAVE YOU DONE WITH HER??!!!
  
  
• Dis(Loose)appointment
  By A3NZXEI5KQF52A on 2006-06-25
  Very disappointing CD, after two excellent and unique previous two albums. Let's hope that after the "Loose" fiasco Nelly will dump her current shallow co-producers and return to her original style and won't compromise again her artistic creativity to produce another boring mass market set.
  
  
• Absolute Garbage
  By A2X16XJ18F67JO on 2006-06-25
  This CD is a great example of what happens when good musicians meet record companies with tanking sales: they want mass appeal rather than quality. Nelly's first 2 CD's had a smooth sound to them - Folklore was definitely above average for a modern-day artist. Her first album sounded exceptional as well - it was music that had some thought behind it. When I read that Folklore was a disappointment as far as sales went, I knew we were in trouble - boy was I right! This CD has terrible lyrics, too much synthesizer, and too many pop beats - it sounds like all the other garbage floating around since 2000. I'm very disappointed and saddened to see a modern-day artist that had so much potential sell out. I can only hope that perhaps she will make an independent album with what she wants to produce, and not what some skill-less producer thinks will sound good on a dance floor.
  
  
• Nelly Sells Out
  By AV1P42D3BDS28 on 2006-07-08
  What once was a promising young singer downplaying her beauty while focusing on a unique music style has now turned into the latest artist to sell out for bigger sales. Whether it was Nelly's choice or her record label disappointed with sales of her second CD "Folklore", "Loose" is an obvious attempt to restart her career by signing on with producers and stars that can get her music on the radio. The songs on "Loose" could just as easily be sung by J-Lo, Janet Jackson or any other generic voice lost in the beat. And Nelly makes sure her beauty is in obvious view for all to see. Lots of fans raving about this CD admit they never bought her prior CDs. For those of us that did, "Loose" is a major disappointment and sell-out.
  
  
• Her worst album ever!!!!!
  By A2UJ6M7YMYCTW3 on 2006-07-04
  I was so excited to see that Nelly Furtado was coming out with something new that I went to the store and bought it the day it came out. I've tried hard to listen to it, but it's just awful. What happened to the Nelly I know and love? She sold out just like Mariah Carey. Sure, the music is good if your into r&b and hip hop, but for those of us who aren't mainstream, it sucks to see one of the good ones go. Nelly, what were you thinking? Oh yeah, money, money, money...
  
  
• Not what I expected
  By A2A72V7SM8UXF6 on 2006-06-25
  I've been a big fan of Nelly Furtado since her first album. It took me a bit to like her latest single, "Promiscuous". But the more and more I listen to it, I started to like Nelly's new direction and couldn't wait for the new album. I bought it the first day it was made available.
  
  After listening her album, I found out that "Promiscuous" is not representative of the rest of the album. Also equally disappointing is that her Portuguese roots are gone - she instead opted to sing in Spanish (is this the record company's doing?)
  
  None of the songs have the magic of "I'm like a bird." and her focus has shifted from Pop music of her earlier two albums to Hip-Hop.
  
  If you are a big fan of Hip-hop music, I would say buy this album - you'll probably enjoy it. However, if you were a big fan of Nelly Furtado's earlier work, save your money.
  
  
• a Corperate Broke attempt at Gwen Stefani
  By A9Q28YTLYREO7 on 2006-06-22
  sine Nelly Furtado's last album basically went Reynolds Wrap here in the states the Record Company was like we gotta get you some grooves,lets get Timberland. Timberland during the mid to late 90's hit his peak as a Beat-Maker,but never really added anything to himself beyond beats&he eventually fell out of Groove. Nelly Furtado is now forced to play catch up with Gwen Stefani in a attempt at a Accessible sound&style that while has a minute or two coolness,loses it's appeal rather sooner than later. vocally she is a lightweight. her best attempts at coming back are on places where Timberland can't be found.this is only her 3rd release&the record company already is pushing her to being a Gwen Stefani Clone. the irony is that Nelly is more comfortable in this style than what I heard on Gwen's Solo Album,but on the real neither album made much of a impression on me on a whole.
  
  
• Ugh...
  By AAUJI4B73V4U5 on 2006-06-26
  I have been a huge Nelly Furtado fan ever since the beginning. Nelly was an admirable individual until Promiscuous came out. I know every single word to all of the songs on her first two albums which I own and have purchased more than once due to overplaying them. I heard 30 seconds of Promiscuous and was really upset. I didnt buy it or the cd, and do not plan to. I think the new image Nelly is putting out is terrible. The role model for girls has disappeared. I am truly disapointed...
  
  
• Could of been better but what's done is done!
  By A362R3X4B2FKW6 on 2006-06-27
  I retracted my negative review due to the fact that I didn't give the cd more time to sink in. I still think Nelly could of sounded better if she had less music around her. I continue to love your voice, Nelly!
  
  
• Sing like a tart, make money
  By AKPYS9VSM3LNX on 2006-06-26
  Once upon a time in the not-so-distant past, there lived a young woman named Nelly Furtado who was earnest and tried to make honest music. She had success with one album, but the public soon lost interest. The young woman had a choice. She could maintain her integrity, continue to make honest music and make only a small amount of money. She could sell out, act like the other pop tarts and sing about sex to inane beats. She decided to sing like a tart. She had a big hit singing about sex. She lost her soul, but sold a lot of records that made a lot of money. The moral of this story is that it pays to be immoral. The moral of this story is that pop music is painfully boring and uses sex to make up for an absence of talent. Whoops. I thought that this was going to have a fairy tale kind of ending, something you might want to read to your kids at night. Sorry about that. Really sorry.
  
  
• Cut Loose From A Fresh Cloth
  By A3HTX1NOTTWERP on 2006-06-21
  Nelly Furtado's last album, 2003's sophomore effort, "Folklore," was an overall disappointment in terms of sales and public appreciation. Most critics gave the album a positive reception, and Nelly's biggest fans were converted into true idolisers. Her debut "Whoa, Nelly!," which appeared three years previously, had sold 5 million copies worldwide and spawned huge hit singles in "I'm Like A Bird" and "Turn Off The Light." Nelly was one of the biggest new stars of the new decade, so why did it go wrong in 2003? Second albums are always difficult affairs, but for Nelly, the music was definitely more mature: perhaps too mature. There weren't many songs on the album that could be considered single-material due to the experimental edge that drove the album.
  
  Experimentation, however, has always been at the forefront of Miss Furtado's music, and this is something that she takes further with her third and latest album, "Loose." To regain her lost fanbase and bring herself back to the world stage, Nelly recruited hip-hop legend Timbaland. Together the two worked on tracks (in a loose, free manner, where ideas were exchanged like a game of experimental ping-pong) that would form the bulk of this new album. When three songs were previewed to fans at the start of the year, many fans worried Nelly was selling out. I did too, and I wasn't sure what to expect from this new album, but in actual fact, she's definitely not sold out at all. She has retained that experimental edge by fusing these new hip-hop and R'n'B elements with acoustic instruments (drums are very present) which form this atmospheric, eerie and dare I say almost gothic sound. Of course this isn't present on every song, but every now and again, you can hear of what I just described.
  
  The album opens with "Afraid," a wonderful song that details the troubles that we go through in life, and how it's only natural to worry about what other people think of us. What I love about this song is the honestly. Most of those girl-power anthems tell us to take no BS from people and just to put ourselves out there, but that is HARD to do. Here, Nelly says it's okay to be afraid because we're only human. The music is quite melancholy, but ultimately uplifting, and the choir at the end is a great outro. "Maneater" continues the album brilliantly. The first single from the album in Europe, this song has become a massive UK No.1 (Nelly's first). The Timbaland sound here is very evident, especially in the bass of the song that sounds like a bee buzzing around in a shall we say intoxicated way? In other words, it's mad musical genius, and the chorus is like a powerhouse. You can feel it surging through you. Easily the most popular song in the UK right now, this will become a club classic for sure! "Promiscuous" is the album's first single in America, and the second in Europe. In many ways I find this to be more listenable in the long run than its predecessor. This is due to the back-and-forth flirtatious banter that Nelly and Timbaland work through the entire song. We all know what the song's about, and the video captures this perfectly. When I first heard "Glow," I was thinking what the hell is this? But over time, it does grow on you. This track is very dense and vocally layered, especially in the chorus and the crunchy beats are amazing. The last 35 seconds are so are really cool.
  
  "Showtime" again took a bit of time to grow on me, but it has now and I now think it's one of my favourite songs on the album. It's quite Gwen in style (reminds me of a better "Luxurious") because it has a chorus that sparkles in a very false way - you know, the way Top 40 tends to? However, despite the irrelevant lyrical content, it's very catchy and the last minute is very soothing. "No Hay Igual" is an incredible song where Nelly takes a stab at reggaeton, with explosive results. I'm not quite sure what the lyrics mean (I'm sure there's a translation out there somewhere), but the vocal arrangement is amazing. I love the pace of the chorus and how the words just roll off your tongue once you get to know them. I hope this song becomes a single, it's like a "Hollaback Girl" for 2006. "Te Busque" is a duet with Juanes, and rumoured to be a single. I personally wouldn't choose this as a single, but that's only because I think the vocals are too loud as the song is ending. Apart from this, it's a brilliant song with a sadness not seen in many Nelly songs. "Say It Right" is easily an album highlight and one of the best songs Nelly has ever done. This is where the eerie, gothic sound comes in that I mentioned. I love the arrangement of the drums (very tribal) and Timbaland's vocals in the background, and that atmospheric sound that feels like wind blowing through a cave. Love it! The chorus has a pace to it that makes you want to dance yet also sit back and think about life.
  
  "Do It" is an up-tempo number that has a fantastic bass. The synths sound rather strange but you get used to them, and soon the song becomes this spinning pin-wheel of sound and colour. Again, I wouldn't say it's one of my favourites but pretty much anything by Nelly is great. "In God's Hands" reminds me a lot of some of the ballads from Nelly's second album, very tranquil and pure, like looking out over a lake on a calm, warm day. The lyrics are very poignant, and this is where the album excels in being so much more than 'just a R'n'B record.' Nelly has a diversity that is unparalleled in the music world, and this is why she is so timeless. The vocals rise and fall in perfect harmony with the music, especially towards the end. "Wait For You" is another up-tempo song. Not a highlight, but still great nonetheless. I think it's about a minute too long, but it has a Spanish tinge to it that doesn't stray too much from her roots. The chorus is very memorable, and I often find myself walking around the house singing it. "All Good Things (Come To An End)" was originally a duet with Coldplay's Chris Martin, but his vocals were apparently scrapped when Coldplay's record company thought their fans would desert them! I'm kind of glad his vocals were taken off, because too many duets is a bad thing, and this song is very personal: two people singing on it would sound strange to me. Nelly controls this song beautifully with her voice, it's definitely in the right place on the album at the end, because there's that sense of completion.
  
  OVERALL GRADE: 10/10
  
  Nelly Furtado has surpassed all other new female talents from the start of this decade, in my opinion, to become a true serious force to be reckoned with. I'm sure this album will become a big success all over the world over the next year, and it deserves to. I said in my review of "Folklore" that Nelly could take 10 years to release her next album because it would be worth the wait. Well, it didn't quite take that long, but the results are still spectacular. I am a true Nelly fan, I really love her and her music, and anyone else who is similar can see she's not selling out: this 'new sound' has always been in her blood, it's part of who she is as a person and a musician. This is evident on older songs such as "Legend," "I Will Make You Cry," and especially "Fresh Off The Boat." I recommend this album completely. Again, Nelly will hail one of the year's best albums.
  
  
• Thank God There's iTunes and Other Digital Music Stores..
  By A1J0KX4SHXIQ66 on 2006-07-03
  ..so that you can buy only the track(s) that you like. The only song worth listening and stands out so high above the other promiscuous hip-hop noise in this album is "All Good Things (Come to An End), thanks to Chris Martin of Coldplay.
  
  We don't need another promiscuous latina-inspired singer a-la Shakira. One is too many already.
  
  
• Nelly becomes a sell-out!
  By AEWMP3JNOPMV3 on 2006-07-08
  Her first album was brilliant! Here comes a pretty and eccentric young lass with an unusual vocal talent, surprisingly profound lyrics that she wrote and some bizarre yet catchy and exotic music. I was delighted to find that her second album, though it wasn't as fresh and polished as her first, she was taking her unique style of music to another level. She incorporated new instrumental elements and the album overall came across soft, mature and bittersweet. Now, with her third album - she has taken two major steps backwards. Gone are her tradmark exotic sound samples, textures and creative beats. It seems she's sacrificed her originality for something more commercial. Commercial doesn't necessarily always mean 'cheap and conformist' - but in this case it's borderline. The only thing saving her is her voice, sense of humour and adventure and the fact that beneath this new-found sex-appeal she isn't completely one-dimensional like so many other poptarts who project an image of skankiness. I see this as Nelly's desperate attempt to win-over new fans and become popular because her last album was quite low-profile. Still, in the process, I think it's a shame she needs to dumb herself down to do so because her true loyal fans liked her already because of her intelligence and substance. There's definitely soul lacking in these tracks. The only good ones that showcase some true classic-Nelly talent are:
  
  Afraid.
  Say It Right.
  Tu Busque.
  All Good Things.
  
  
• A whole lotta something...so let loose!
  By AWVQR7YYTYJ1L on 2006-06-21
  The main hype around Nelly Furtado's third album is how she co-produced the majority of it with hip hop superstar Timbaland. Well by the sounds of it, she not only collaborated with Timba, but everyone from Gwen Stefani to Janet Jackson to Black Eyed Peas to Michelle Branch strike similar notes to Nelly - but she does it with a certain unique flair that makes this album worth it.
  
  Despite the major departure of the first r 'n' b flavoured single "Promiscuous" the album isn't quite as far from Nelly's folk, latin, and soul-tinged roots that were prevelant on her first album Whoa Nelly! As well, despite suffering a bit of a sophomore slump with Nelly's slightly bland album Folklore, she manages to pump this album up without threatening her former fans.
  
  Loose kicks off with "Afraid" - a laid-back but toe-tapping rap number with a fantastic ending. Prepare for "Maneater", the second Gwen-ish track, to blow up much like Promiscuous currently is. Another great club thumper is "Glow" which follows in the vein of the Black Eyed Peas latest album Monkey Business.
  
  In terms of pop/r'n'b crossovers, there are a couple thrown on here that are a bit more approachable for those who aren't totally into Nelly's new sound. "Say It Right" is similar to "Afraid" in its slightly more laid-back but still pumping rythym, that almost strikes a 1980's Madonna's chord. In the same breath Nelly transitions on to "Do It", another 80's type track that sounds like everyone from old school Mariah to Gwen Stefani of today.
  
  If you're ready to slow it down a bit, check out the sultry grooves on "Showtime" that really showcase a different, clear sound to Nelly's voice. "In God's Hands" and "Wait for You" (Chris Martin of Coldplay collaboration) are two other tunes that differ greatly from most of the album in terms of tempo and instrumentation, feature acoustic guitars & pianos that reflect on Nelly's earlier albums.
  
  Finally while we're talking about Nelly's past discs, you can't ignore the cultural influence her Portugese (?) heritage has had on her music - including rapping and singing in other languages, and using ethnic-influenced samples. No Hay Igual is a club shaker in the same style of Sean Paul, while Te Busque is done twice - once in english, once in spanish, both with a catchy spanish chorus sung with Juanes. Meanwhile All Good Things & Wait For You feature incredible ethnic samples, particularly the soaring Wait For You.
  
  Altogether, Nelly has upgraded her sound, style, and production on this cd. It's a change from her earlier music, yet she still incoporates the things that made her so popular in the past - great lyrics, catchy choruses, and unique samples. A definite buy!
  
  
• I expected this album to be much better....
  By AB3AGCKDAC4PW on 2006-06-30
  I expected this album to be much better than it really was. I attribute the rating of this album mostly to the production. It seems as if the songwriters and producers put as little work as possible into this one as was required to get a paycheck. With the exception of a couple songs, I will be much more careful about which whole albums I will buy again. I loved Nelly Furtado's first two albums, but this one just didn't do it. The soul is gone. The producers here are hoping that the sound of a couple analog synthesizers will put substance into this album and they are just dead wrong. The albums here are maturing backwards... listen to all the tracks before you buy.
  
  
• Don't Waste Your $$
  By A2ATAAE0AGALDR on 2006-09-25
  This is the worst CD I've heard in a long time.
  
  The music (if you can call it that) is extremely repetitive. Program a drum machine and repeat the same three chords for the entire song. Quite a formula. Must be nice to have a major label behind you.
  
  Nelly has a nice voice though. I'd advise her to dump her band and her song writer(s).
  
  
• Great Album But Not What You Might Expect From Nelly Furtado
  By A2BEU7GPGNIG44 on 2006-06-26
  This is a good CD but I am going to be honest. Forget everything you ever thought you knew about Nelly Furtado because this is really like a completely different artist. This is a very dance oriented album. Many of the songs make you think that they were taken out of the how to make a radio hit ala Black Eyed Peas, Pussycat Dolls, Gwen Stefani handbook. There are many good songs on this album and it's solid but be warned this is not the Nelly Furtado that you may think you know. Stand out cuts on the album include "In God's Hand," Say It Right," and "Promiscuous." "Maneater," trys so hard to be different I couldn't help but think of it as "Hollaback Girl" 2006. Another decent song is "Showtime," but it's lyrically unimpressive and very young and immature sounding. But overall, I love "Loose," and will bumping it for awhile but I do hope Nelly Furtado returns to her artsy side rather than this album which seems rather contrived and formulaic.
  
  
• Whoa, Nelly.
  By A3AL8GQ69QE7WN on 2006-08-04
  I am going to go against the grain, and the masses, by saying that this is not Furtado's best work. If you don't believe me, go and listen to "Whoa, Nelly!" (2000) and "Folklore" (2003). I know that Furtado wanted to do a dance-oriented album, but "Loose" fails in comparison to, say, Madonna's "Confessions On A Dancefloor". Lyrically, "Loose" isn't Furtado's best work either. Choosing an in demand producer like Timbaland actually made this project stale as a week old piece of bread. The beats are mechanical, programmed, calculated. By the time you get to the end of the disc you feel like you've heard this all before.
  
  The timing and marketing have been impeccable. I mean, this is the hottest selling album of the summer. Why? It's mindless dancefloor fun, but it's also summertime. Let's see this album get a release in the dead of winter and what the sales would be then.
  
  All of my critical judgements aside, there are always some merits to every Furtado album, and this one has several songs, the strongest being "Afraid", "Maneater", "Promiscuous", "Glow" and "No Hay Igual". "Say It Right" and "Do It" are the lesser dance tracks. Then there's the mid-tempo "Wait For You" with it's Middle-Eastern sitar cliche that's been done so many times. I didn't like any of the ballads like "Showtime", "Te Busque" or "In God's Hands" (which sounds like Jewel to me). "All Good Things (Come To An End)" is a decent track to end on, but the Spanish version of "Te Busque" was redundant and unnecessary.
  
  "Loose" is partially entertaining, but at Furtado's age, and with her background, I was expecting something more substantial than this. I felt "Loose" panders to the teenage crowd rather than utilizing Furtado's strengths and blending them with something more unique and meaningful. She could do a dance album with Erasure, Depeche Mode or Pet Shop Boys, or even a hip hop urban dance record with Snoop Dogg, Dr. Dre, P. Diddy, Jimmy Jam & Terry Lewis, Dallas Austin or Wyclef Jean.
  
  I guess with the poor sales of "Folklore" Furtado had to get back in the scene, and that she did. So, hopefully with this success she'll bounce back with some spectacular next.
  
  
• Zero Stars
  By A3RQUBX9OE40YL on 2006-09-23
  She sold out and took the yo girl route. Too bad. Just like Jenny from the block. It's garbage....
  
  
• This Is Weak
  By A1X93ES4DITTWK on 2006-06-21
  There are millions of pretty to average looking young girls out there who think they can sing, but in reality they can't. How did Nelly Furtado get so lucky? Even though "Loosed" was heavily produced by Timbaland, it's still lame. A weak, warbly voice being drowned by the heavy sounds of a beat machine. You can tell that Nelly is a Gwen Stefani fan because that's who she often attempts to copy when it comes to vocals and musical style. Nelly can't sing and she can't rap either. I saw her performing on the show "So You Think You Can Dance" last week and she, along with Timbaland, both looked like pieces of cardboard on stage. So add 'no stage presence' to the list. Supposedly Nelly can play a few instruments, but I heard very few instruments being played. Anyway, there's nothing special about this CD. This will be forgotten like a hot dog and macaroni & cheese dinner at the end of the month. Skip it!
  
  
• taking a stab at something a bit different, she still shines...
  By A7OZO3ER7F1PR on 2006-06-22
  Not typical to her previous alblums, Whoa Nelly! and Folklore, it takes on a more pop-R&B-hiphop, and while Nelly took a jump on such with the Missy Elliot "Get your freak on" remix, it still ends up quite different. And its awesome. While many will miss the typical soft dreamy/fantasy instrumental themes, they're still there in many forms, and it goes to show Nelly can shine through on a vast majority of music styles.
  
  In order, the CD starts off with more punk"ish"/electronica R&B, with "Promiscous", "Maneater", and the likes of a couple of others... extremely thumpy and jumpy. Around the 5th track, deeply into reggaetone, with more latin pop... dancy twist beatz. The remainder of the CD, from track 7 on through, turns back to the familiuar tunes that we have loved on the previous two alblums. While some would argue that the R&B, the latino-reggae pop, or the fantasy pop-alternative toned flashback nelly tracks dont belong together on the same CD, it really does a hell of a job transforming from each genre, and gives fans of each the trapdoor into falling into love with all of her music, despite which of her song genres would typically only appeal to a certain fan. The morphism and layout of the CD will please your ears no matter which track you so happen to land on.
  
  There are a couple tracks that show more of a sexual side to Nelly; while nothing too exposing as far as lyrics and the song goes, its still there, and quickly can project more of a wild, sexy and intimate woman more so than a sweet & innocent young lady. While many will miss that image, its not completely gone, but it is apparent that she has indeed matured into her later 20's with her child and moves further into life along with her music.
  
  Though you may mourn for more previous-styles you'd expect to hear from Nelly, this CD shurely will not disappoint, and expands onto a vast horizon as to what the future holds for the fans and newcomers. Nevertheless, straying too far from main genre we are used to may not be in the best interest, but I'd be willing to bet she uses a combination of old and new styles in future CD's...
  
  
• Nelly Furtado lets Loose
  By A1QEWOSV05RYEO on 2006-06-28
  There is nothing more exciting than seeing an artist make a 360 or having a complete makeover where their style is concerned. For LOOSE, that is what Ms. Furtado did. Who would've ever thought that Timbaland would be producing the bulk of Nelly Furtado's album or that Nelly Furtado would embrace more dance, hip-hop, oriented music as opposed to the folksy nature of FOLKLORE? That in itself makes LOOSE an interesting listening.
  
  As state prior, LOOSE is almost entirely produced by Timbaland and Timbaland as always never lets down bettering his already exceptional status as one of today's most creative producers. His beats and his backgrounds are as fresh as ever. Nelly Furtado's thin vocals sugarcoat Timbaland's productions very well. Her vocals aren't particularly exceptional in the sense of being robust, big, and full, but they are perfect for the type of album that LOOSE is, a dance-pop affair. Nelly Furtado fits in just fine with her limited-vocal contemporaries, Gwen Stefani, Janet Jackson, Madonna, and most modern Ciara. However, to say that Nelly Furtado doesn't have a nice voice would be a terrible lie because Nelly "works it out" on LOOSE.
  
  The album opens with loop-thrower "Afraid" featuring Attitude. The track is well produced, but it doesn't grab you as a true hit. What it does successfully do is introduce you to the sound Nelly will maintain for the most part throughout LOOSE. Where you may feel a lack of substance on Afraid, the hook is definitely catchy ("So afraid of what people might say..."). Where "Afraid" was a warm-up, "Maneater" instantly strikes you as a hit that you cross your fingers Furtado might release as a single! The production harps on the sound of 1980s with the catchiest, sickest synthesizer line you've heard for a while. It is nearly as good as the showstopping, show-stealing "Promiscuous" which features an exceptional guest spot by the main man himself, Timbaland and a pop-rapping Nelly Furtado. It has undeniably been the club-banger for the summer from the sexy vocals to the sexy play between Timbaland and Furtado. The best that LOOSE and Nelly has to offer.
  
  "Glow" features more whacky synth lines and "bubbly" beats by Timbaland. While this track isn't my very favorite, it is certainly catchy and you can't get it out of your head. It is definitely addictive and fun. For "Showtime", Nelly slows things down for the very first time with this urban ballad. "Showtime" is a very good track, though not as strong as say "Maneater" or "Promiscuous". Furtado jumps back on board "loosely" with the latin club-banger "No Hay Igual" which is yet another of the album's strongest tracks as well as one of the album's funnest, addictive tracks.
  
  "Te Busque" is another highlight of the album featuring Latin standout Juanes. Just as beautiful is the spanish version, which appears as a bonus track at the end of the album. Nelly Furtado sounds as brilliant as ever here. "Say It Right" is more filler than a true hit, but it isn't bad and fits the mood Furtado is trying to evoke throughout the album.
  
  Moving on to other standouts, "Do It" is a very vintage 80s sounding tune while "In God's Hands" is a mix between singer/songwriter Nelly and an urban sounding production. On "In God's Hands" we hear acoustic guitars for one of the first appearances on the entire album (they also appear on "Te Busque"). Timbaland stands out once again production wise on "Wait For You". The chorus catches your attention on "Wait For You", which ultimately places Furtado in an urban/ dance-pop production once again. "All Good Things (Come To End)" is singer-songwriter Nelly returning and is an exceptional ending to a very outstanding album.
  
  LOOSE isn't without it flaws. Some material tends to be "too dance-popish" and some tracks are less inspired than other. Also Nelly vocals sometimes face the same fate as Janet Jackson's vocals in which they fall beneath the production instead of rising above it. However, the beauty is that dance-pop is more a production showcase than a vocal master class and compared to other dance-pop/80s pop albums released, Nelly's is more consistent.
  
  Essentially, LOOSE is one of the biggest surprises of 2006 and is also among the top echolon of QUALITY albums. Very nice release. 4 stars.
  
  
• Loose - Nelly Furtado
  By A1VMYBN8GUTQ83 on 2006-08-25
  Download the 1st & maybe 3rd song. The rest are weak. :- (
  
  
• There's more to life than sex, Nelly
  By A14L96OSA751RT on 2006-08-29
  I love the music, but I'm sick of listening to pop music about sex. That's all artists sing about as if this is all life is about. Weak lyrics is a sign of a weak and insecure artist.
  
  
• i forgive you nelly....
  By A220KIPNWBIYI3 on 2006-06-20
  i just got this album and for some reason i doubled checked it if i was listening to the right one. the cd was labeled nelly not beonce. there must be a mistake. is this the same girl who did 'folklore' and 'whoa nelly'? i know she has a new producer but this is a total departure. you will not expect a person who loved 'folklore' to like this one. 'folklore' was profound and is the album that i would take to the grave. a work of art. 'loose' is nowhere near it. i want my artist back. but because she made 'folklore', i'll give her 3 stars and the benefit of the doubt that she'll come back to her roots.
  
  

• FutureSex / LoveSounds
• The Dutchess
• The Sweet Escape
• Back to Basics
• Timbaland Presents Shock Value