N.E.R.D is the debut album of the all-star production tandem known as The Neptunes who have worked with stars like the Backstreet Boys, Jay-Z and so many more.
In Search Of… is “like a life soundtrack” as the group comprised of Pharrell, Chad and Shay relate their life experiences through a mosaic of hip-hop beats, hard electric guitar chords and many, different instruments.
N.E.R.D takes their music seriously and their efforts and musical genius can be seen scattered throughout the cd.
The first few songs blend a hard rock sound and challenging lyrics but it’s not until songs 5 and 6 that the beats and the smooth blend of instruments really seem to kick into gear.
In Search Of… combines deep, thought-provoking lyrics with a diverse, new sound that is definitely worth a listen.
By: Cousy
ALBUM: In Search Of
ARTIST: N.E.R.D.
LABEL: Virgin Records- 2001
RATING: 7.5 out of 10
NERD (No One Ever Really Dies) was a venture into uncharted territory for me. I am a fan of hip hop - that is, to say, that I enjoy the occasional stand out song heard on television, radio, or through friends. Never before, though, had I actually sat down with what could be consider a record of the genre and actually listened. Through borrowing the NERD disc (for a horrificly extended period of time, I might add - sorry Joe), I came to appreciate the music of this particular group a good deal.
The album serves up what I assumed it would from the outset - good beats and and clever, inventive lyrics. I didn't, however, expect for it to hook me. There are many elements in place here - some obvious rock influences, jazz, R&B, etc, etc - they all come together in a fairly glorious way. When I listen to the album from the start to the finish, a few things stood out to me. Okay, okay. ONE thing really stood out to me. A track called "Run To The Sun" - I listened to it on repeat for about three hours one night, not really knowing when it began and when it ended. The lyrics are fabulous, the beat is addictive, and the overall feel of the song is something I'd never heard before. Another fabulous tune from the album to check out as a bait to run out to a record store and buy it was "Bobby James" - a 6 minute adventure that serves as a great credit to how inventive the group is. None of the songs sound the same, although there were a few that did nothing for me ("Lapdance," the opening track of the album, I found to be a tad unpleasant).
If you're a fan of the hip-hop sound, pick the disc up. If you're a fan in passing (as I am) and someone generously offers to lend you the disc - take it, you will enjoy it. That's all there is to say about that.
- By: J. Alexander Vance
