Icescape- Great points. I think I'm naturally a bit cynical when it comes to labels having worked at an indie a few years back and having friends at both indies and majors. It's a catch 22 -- Yes, it's good Nelly proved she can be a commercial success, but now she's re-upped the bar as far as album sales. Loose was a huge hit commercially, which made up for the lack of sales of Folklore. Loose will give her a bargaining chip with Geffen to go in and say "this is what I'm doing next" -- but it doesn't necessarily mean she'll get what she asks for (completely). But Geffen has one thing on their mind, money, which is why they have packaged Nelly/Loose the way they have. They're playing up her sexuality (which many artists do) and using that as the main selling point behind Loose. I wonder how long it will take (if it hasn't already happened) before Nelly just gets sick of being one-dimensional in her labels eyes, because she's proven to us she's definitely not just a sex object.
Oh, and I absolutely LOVE One Trick Pony. Part of me finds it contridictive of her current state -- meaning, "for you I will not dance, for you I will not prance" which is exactly what she is doing with Loose -- but at the same time I see it a bit tongue in cheek like Nelly sees Geffen's angle, she's working it, but in the end she's actually in control.
Maca - I NEVER get tired of hearing/talking about Folklore. I refer to it as one of the best albums many people have never heard. I actually had my friend (who hated Nelly's older stuff) listen to "Childhood Dreams" without telling her it was Nelly. By the end of the song she was crying and said it was one of the most beautiful songs she's ever heard. She was amazed when I told her it was Nelly.
About the carefree music trend -- curious what you think of Amy Winehouse or if you ever heard her stuff? Just picked up her album "back to black" and I'm really into it. She took a very 60's soul type of vibe, but put some pretty dark lyrics on it. I like how the lyrics play off the emotion of the music, but at the same time contradicts it. For instance, they used alot of big/brassy horns on it so you would think it's this happy song, but when you listen to the lyrics and her voice you hear the pain behind it all. It's interesting stuff. I'd be happy to send you some mp3s if you like.
Sunshine - I really hate the music industry. Well, it's a love/hate because I truly love music and how it makes me feel -- but I hate all the non-sense that goes along with labels. There's so many amazing artists out there that will never be heard (by a many) because a select few people control what's played or what's considered "good." It drives me crazy