Folklore (Nelly Furtado Album)

''Folklore'' is the second studio album by Canadian singer-songwriter Nelly Furtado. It was released on November 5, 2003 through DreamWorks Records. While the album did not match the success of her previous album in such markets as the United States and Australia, it did however become a success in several European countries. ''Folklore'' spawned five singles: "Powerless (Say What You Want)", "Try", "Força", "Explode" and "The Grass Is Green". The album has sold 2 million copies worldwide.

Primarily a world and pop rock album, ''Folklore'' also incorporates ethnic, pop, folk, alternative pop and worldbeat elements.

Background

The album's title was influenced by Furtado's parents' immigration to Canada, "When I look at my old photo albums, I see pictures of their brand-new house, their shiny new car, their first experiences going to very North American-type places like Kmart. When you have that in your blood, you never really part with it it becomes your own personal folklore." Furtado attributed the mellowness of the album to the fact that she was pregnant during most of its recording. "Saturdays" features vocals by Jarvis Church and "Island of Wonder" features vocals by Caetano Veloso.

''Folklore'' includes the single "Força" (meaning "carry on" or "strength" in Portuguese), which was written as the official anthem of the UEFA Euro 2004. Furtado performed the song at the championship's final in Lisbon, in July 2004. Other singles included the ballad "Try" and "Powerless (Say What You Want)", in which she embraces her Portuguese heritage; the song deals with "the idea that you can still feel like a minority inside, even if you don't look like one on the outside". Additional singles were released in certain territories; "Explode" in Canada and Europe, and "The Grass Is Green" in Germany.

Critical reception

''Folklore'' received mixed reviews from critics. AllMusic's Stephen Thomas Erlewine stated that " ile there are some interesting musical moments on ''Folklore'' -- enough to make it worth a listen -- the dogged seriousness and didactic worldview become a bit overbearing not long before the album is a quarter of the way finished, particularly since the fusion of worldbeat and adult alternative pop often seems heavy-handed." ''Entertainment Weekly'' gave a positive review stating that "exultant music goes on its merry, multicultural way". While ''Rolling Stone'' gave a negative review, calling ''Folklore'' "slick, multicultural hodgepodge" but "without a single as good as 'I'm Like a Bird'." As she focused more on the songwriting, rather "than on frenetically switching genres five times in one song", BBC
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