Nelly Furtado and Keane CD Reviews

Nelly Furtado's third album is called Loose.

Courtesy of Universal Music

Nelly Furtado is looking for a comeback and Keane is back with its second album. Get the 411 on both CDs here!

The title of Keane's latest album is a lyric from the song Crystal Ball.

Courtesy of Universal Music

Nelly Furtado - Loose

Nelly Furtado has been looking for a hit since I'm Like a Bird rocketed up the charts in 2000. Later efforts may have made ripples, but sure didn't make the same waves. Now Nelly is trying to prove she's no one trick pony with her third release, Loose. While we have to give her props for her funkier, South America-meets-R&B sound on songs like No Hay Igual and Maneater, we hate that she traded in her individuality to do it. Someone should tell Ms. Furtado that there's only room in this world for one J.Lo. Be yourself, girl!

Nelly Furtado - Loose Fun Facts

Nelly says she named the album Loose after the "spontaneous, creative decisions" she faced while creating it.

The album is mostly produced by Timbaland, who has produced tracks for Missy Elliott, Aaliyah, Ludacris and Brandy.

Nelly calls the sound of this album, ""modern, poppy, spooky music."

Nelly Furtado - Loose Hot Tracks

No Hay Igual; Maneater; Promiscuous

Nelly Furtado - Loose Rating:

Keane - Under the Iron Sea

We feel about as sorry for Keane as we do for Paris Hilton - which is to say, not at all. It seems fame hasn't been all it was cracked up to be since their Coldplay-lite sound brought the British trio acclaim way back in 2004. Too many of the lyrics on Under the Iron Sea focus on the ups and downs (mostly the downs) the band has faced over the past two years - the fights, the stress, the fickleness of fame ("I guess I'm the record you're tired of/ I guess we're just older now"). But enough whining, we're beginning to sound like this album! Technically the album is interesting and darker than their previous effort. Is it Any Wonder stands out from the crowd, as does Nothing My Way and Try Again. It borrows heavily from U2's sound and will appeal to fans of Coldplay and Radiohead. But come on boys, try a little graditude next time.