N E R D In Search Of... CD

Aka No One Ever Really Dies. Parental Advisory



This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
N.E.R.D.: Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Shay.
Additional personnel includes: Kelis (vocals); Lee Harvey, Vita, Kelis, Pusha T, Malice (rap vocals).
Recorded at Master Sound, Virginia Beach, Virginia and The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
N.E.R.D.: Pharrell Williams, Shay, Chad Hugo.
Additional personnel: Kelis (vocals); Lee Harvey, Pusha T, Malice (rap vocals); Vita (background vocals); Spymob.
N.E.R.D. are nothing if they're not clever, and they brilliantly constructed a back-story to accompany their debut album, In Search Of... As every rock critic in the Western world has said in his review of the album, they originally released the record in Europe, then decided it was crap, withdrew it, re-recorded it with a live band, and then released it worldwide. Now this story is probably true -- as the first album by the band driven by the powerhouse production team the Neptunes (though these are not interchangeable terms, as they went to great lengths to make clear in the promo interviews), there was a lot riding on this record, so it had better be right -- but it certainly helped them get valuable press, elevating this record to a near-event level. So, is In Search Of... worth the hoopla? Well, pretty much. Musically, it's a lively affair, breaking free of the signature approximated-Prince beats, as they borrow heavily from classic soul, breakbeat aesthetics, and postmodern alt-culture, tying it together with live beats. It pretty much deliberately does everything that most modern rap does not do, and it's hard not to embrace it for that very fact. Alas, there are flaws, mainly in the raps, which are hardly as nimble as the music; actually, they're rather clumsy and embarrassing, especially since they attempt to cover "socially relevant" issues (i.e., politicians are equated with strippers). Choruses that croon that "She needs me/Because I'm the sh*t" are hard to stomach, no matter how supple the music is (or how ironic the delivery), but if you can ignore that, In Search Of... does provide genuine musical thrills. Although, be forewarned -- it's easy to overrate this record simply because it deviates from the norm at a time when nobody deviates from the norm or has deviated from the norm in years. With better lyrics and a little less smirking hipsterism, it could have been the record it was intended to be, but as it stands, it's still a pretty terrific listen and one of the most adventurous, intriguing hip-hop albums in a long, long time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine
Writing and producing team The Neptunes have worked with everyone from Jay Z to Britney Spears. N.E.R.D. emerges as their side-project and first stab at performing. Behind the mike, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo throw forth an interesting blend of several musical genres, creating a style all their own. N.E.R.D.'S sound is just as eclectic as The Neptune's clientele, fusing rock, hip-hop, electronica, and R&B. N.E.R.D. stands for No One Ever Really Dies, and refers to the infinite spirit and energy that exists in every living thing. This debut album, which features guest performances by Kelis and many others, definitely reflects that energy. The track list includes "Lapdance," "Things Are Getting Better," "Brain," "Provider," "Truth or Dare," "Tape You," "Run to the Sun," "Baby Doll," "Am I High," "Rock Star," "Bobby James," and "Stay Together."Rolling Stone (12/26/02, p.108) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2002"
Rolling Stone (8/2/01, p.63) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...The music is good....It's a crunch groove that's part Timbaland, part Afrika Bambaataa and part STAR TREK on Ecstasy..."
Spin (1/03, p.70) - Ranked #9 on Spin's list of 2002's "Albums of the Year"
Spin (4/02, pp.113-4) - 8 out of 10 - "...Ace genre-mashing...the addition of a band [to their previously electronic album] makes the record weirder, punching up the rock that was merely implicit on the previous version. That's 'rock' as in rap rock, alt-rock and Paisley Park psych rock and even country rock..."
Entertainment Weekly (12/20-27/02, p.126) - Ranked #4 on EW's list of 2002's "Albums of the Year"
Entertainment Weekly (3/15/02, pp.74-75) - "...The new, revamped album replaces their signature spartan-techno grooves with rock guitars, drums, pianos, and other oldfangled instruments....has a crackling vigor..." - Rating: A-
Q (8/01, p.136) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A striking escape from mere genre....A swaggering, rock-friendly counterpoint to the likes of Outkast. And no less essential, either."
Uncut (9/01, p.96) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...They're on some kind of early Seventies cosmic/social conscience trip....This year's STANKONIA..."
Alternative Press (3/02, p.86) - 7 out of 10 - "...Alluring....bearing a suprising similarity to modern metal..."
The Wire (1/02, p.40) - Ranked #20 in Wire's "50 Records of the Year 2001"
CMJ (3/11/02, p.4) - "...[The album] embodies an ubridled passion for music and for the aesthetics of pure sound....There's a bit of musical irony here, when happy, elementary grooves are undercut by a dirty, almost invasive, guitar licks..."
Vibe (3/02, p.172) - 3.5 discs out of 5 - "...A complete departure, but with aural candy this flavorful, who cares?"
Mojo (Publisher) (1/03, p.73) - Ranked #9 in Mojo's "Best Albums of 2002"
Mojo (Publisher) (April 2002, p.112) - "...Unique fusions of harmony-led AOR...Sly and Funkadelic, fragile singing and Eminemesque raps, conscious '70s soul, '80s synth-pop and Hendrix-esque rock..."
NME (Magazine) (12/29/01, p.59) - Ranked #40 in NME's 50 "Albums Of the Year 2001"
NME (Magazine) (8/18/01, p.47) - 8 out of 10 - "...Awash with fuzzy-warm highs, hazy cosmic visions and exquisite ripples in the fabric of R&B as we know it..."