Today, Nelly Furtado not only released her fifth studio album, The Spirit Indestructible, but the music video for the set’s third single, “Parking Lot,” as well.

Furtado describes the inspiration for “Parking Lot” as “good times in my hometown, sort of like my own take on ‘Summer Of ’69.’” From that comparison, I gather she hasn’t yet heard what fellow Canadian singer-songwriter Bryan Adams is really celebrating in that song. But Furtado and co-writer/producer Rodney “Darkchild” Jerkins have definitely been listening closely to M.I.A., and maybe Madonna’s “Some Girls” (check the distorted buzzing horns that kick off and linger underneath both songs).

While I loved The Spirit Indestructible‘s first single, “Big Hoops (Bigger The Better),” which really did deliver something new only to totally bonk out at radio, I’m stuck in neutral on “Parking Lot,” especially in its edited form. The album version features a coda with doo-wop background vocals that tops the four-plus minutes that come before.

I expected something more lively from the music video for “Parking Lot,” directed by Ray Kay (Britney Spears, Willow Smith). While there is some dancing, it never really takes off.  With so many cars around, some scenes of Furtado and friends doing some doughnuts could’ve been fun. As it is, it looks like they’ve been locked in a impound lot.

Anyone wanna join me in a campaign for making the sultry Nas-featuring “Something” the next single from The Spirit Indestructible? I’m also hoping that “Bucket List” gets called up to the big leagues.

Purchase Nelly Furtado – “Parking Lot” via iTunes, Amazon MP3.