Mi Plan

by

Nelly Furtado

Edit

I got this yesterday and I'm hooked. It's beautiful all over. There are some fillers here and there that are forgettable, but the good songs in this album wraps your heart around. "Como lluvia" with musical genius Juan Luis Guerra is breathtaking. "Silencio" with Josh Groban is equally enthralling. And of course "Manos al aire" is also a very good song. It's a great album. I haven't bought music in a long time, and I did this time because the people she collaborated with are of immense quality. For those who say that comment on her weak voice, I partially agree, but really all you need is someone who stays in keys and delivers an emotional connection through the songs. Her voice seems to sound a bit more nasal because it's an acoustically driven album instead of the big boom-pow of her previous productions. Overall, I think the Latin community will really like this. Bravo Nelly!

That Furtado has said that with some things she could more freely express herself in Spanish made me laugh a bit, because the Spanish of this album leaves a bit to be desired. Singing isn't her strong point, but for the sort of music she's made, it never had to be, and it has always been enjoyable - whether you preferred the more acoustic sounds of her earlier albums or the pop/dance rhythms of the more current. While I have generally liked most of what she puts out, I have to admit that as a Spanish speaker I feel a little embarrassed to listen to this album. It's not her accent but the fact that some lyrics are grammatically incorrect that bothers me. You would think that with as much money as Furtado has behind her, they would have brought more people into the studio to make sure that what she was going to be singing was flawless. That being said, I think that although this is her first 'Spanish' album, it's a Spanish album with an audience of non-native speakers who would be more forgiving of the errors.

Where the album excels is in its inclusion of guest artists who are amazing. The most notable - for me - is Buika who is just a phenomenal singer. Venegas & La Mala are two singers who are perfect for the style of music Furtado is making, and the chemistry among the singers is clear on the track.

Overall it's a decent album, but it's one that had it had more editing lyrically could have been fantastic for native and non-native speakers alike.