Thirteen

This bracing rocker, with its galloping ZZ Top groove and restless Tom Petty vibe, establishes the album's interlocked themes of "good luck/bad luck/no luck” (as Furtado puts it) on both the personal and political levels, while a phalanx of fretted instruments provides a thrillingly visceral reminder of Furtado's prowess as an ax wielder of the first order.

On 'Thirteen', this rapidly maturing artist fulfills the immense promise of his 2004 breakthrough 'These Chains', his initial foray into songwriting and singing. While Furtado's 2005 outing, the literally solo 'Bare Bones', pushed the technical envelope as he recorded his own one-man tour, the expansive 'Thirteen' reveals an artist with a great deal on his mind and a full arsenal of skills with which to express his thoughts and feelings in a captivating way.

" 'These Chains' was my first serious attempt at songwriting,” says Furtado, "so it was a trial by fire, with a bit of experimentation. This time I had the chance to go deeper.”