Joel & Benji Madden are both members of the group Good Charlotte.
Additional personnel includes: Joel Madden, Benji Madden (vocals); Lenny Kravitz, Andrew Coleman (guitar); Ahmir "?uestlove" Thompson (drums).
While often boundary-expanding, the ubiquitous beats of the Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) are supremely radio-friendly. However, when Williams and Hugo are two-thirds of N.E.R.D. (alongside Shay), the genie is out of the bottle, and previously unimagined, genre-busting concoctions are unfurled. The second N.E.R.D. album is the product of gloriously schizophrenic genius, with acutely honed pop sensibilities. Leadoff single "She Wants to Move" features the most traditional Neptunes beat surrounded by a hyperactive rhythm section and never lets up. From there, the music wanders down a million paths, from Love-styled hippie balladry to Temptations/Sly funk-rock immediacy to dizzying Fishbone funk-punk.
N.E.R.D. also displays wry, observational lyricism. On "Wonderful Place," they forge a hallucinogenic landscape where "cartoons are turning into real life," weaving three or four stories into a parable about the troubled world. The more direct "Drill Sergeant" mixes in references to Orson Welles and Barnes & Noble into the chorus chant "I'm not going to war." Building upon the frenzied funk/rock/soul/punk/psychedelia of N.E.R.D.'s debut, FLY OR DIE should solidify the group as one of the most refreshing, intelligent, rising voices in pop music.
Recorded at Hovercraft Recording Studios, Virginia Beach, Virginia and The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California.
N.E.R.D.: Pharrell, Chad, Shay.
This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.Rolling Stone (4/15/04, p.147) - 3 stars out of 5 - "It's fascinating to hear these rap geniuses go undercover as a bar band you might hear rocking Journey covers in a bowling alley." Entertainment Weekly (4/2/04, p.62) - "FLY OR DIE is craftier and more multilayered than its predecessor....[A] set of clever, complex, studio-crafted pop--complete with musicianly, smooth-jazz licks--that doesn't owe allegiance to any one genre." - Rating: A- Uncut (p.91) - 5 stars out of 5 - "N*E*R*D can replicate machine hypersyncopation at the drop of a hi-hat. Prog-pop album of year." Uncut (p.74) - Ranked #18 in Uncut's "Best New Albums of 2004" - "[A]n object lesson in eclectic art-rock....[T]his prog-pop classic reveal further depths of detail with every repeated play." Mojo (Publisher) (p.106) - 4 stars out of 5 - "This is an enthusiastic hymn to the terminally uncool, an un-ironic celebration of nerd-culture....They make a party you want to be invited to."
One Needs a FULL STOCK OF BRAINS 4 THIS CD FLY OR DIE is for people who love sound and/or the true art of making music. This album is not directed at any one type of listening category such as "rap". Although Vin-D had to stop breathing to type his review, just as he doesn't walk when he has gum, He IS right about FLY or DIE not being a Rap CD - Its a Music album. I listen to mostly Rap, but I Really appreciate good music outside of the rap genre too. I also purchased this CD thinking it was a rap album by the Neptunes. I didn't find all the rap I imagined to be on it. What I did find was music done in a unique format, done with genius. I now Love these dudes NERD music, something here I can't find anywhere else. This music is something you didn't know you liked because never had an album like this before. Once you get over hearing the unexpected. You will be "less-mad" when U find ya-self in a traffic jam, and U have time to savor the full body of FLY or DIE....... With last 5 reviews below, exception of Vin-D, the I can echo their comment & truth. SO I had to throw my thoughts up.
NERD could end up one of the top 10 bands of all time.IF YOU LIKE GOOD MUSIC - BUY THIS CD. Submitted by New Black Panther (DC, USA) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo 1 of 1 found this helpful.
ost to my summer Had my doubts after hearing the first time the whole way thru,but given time i say it for what it really was.An absolutly unique sounding album with a wide range of different sounds and styles suited to every occasion.It became my guilty pleasure in the summer in which it was released,listening to it over and over every chance i was in the car alone! favourite tracks "wonderful place" and "drill sergeant". Need to get it back on circulation again,now i think of it! give this album a chance,you'l love the soulful jazzy funky vibe it brings throughout,PEACE HARRY OUT Submitted by haribo119 (Belfast,NI,UK) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
love it or hate it It a great cd refreshingly unique, and still quiet fresh. Its great to listen to, to chill out to for somethin different. The vocals complement the instruments, sound of the music well, a real mellow sound. OK pharrell doesn't have the best vocals, but his voice is perfect for the instruments to create the right fusion/vibe. Its so good it can be listened to frequently.Unfortunatley, many people think its garbage when really its probarly just ahead of its time. Good tracks include Drill Sergeant, The Way She Dance, and Jumpe. The CD as a whole is very catchy hooks and choruses. If you listen to it proberly you'll see. Holla Submitted by DMWas This Review Helpful? YesNo
Awesome to the max great album full of entertainment and fun on the ears great job lads. Submitted by tangodabomb (lowestoft suffolk england) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
What More Can I Say? For all ya'll haters out there get your mind right N.E.R.D. is one of the greatest bands of all time (in my book). Submitted by dopeboyfresh83 (Niagara Falls, New York) Was This Review Helpful? YesNo
One Needs a FULL STOCK OF BRAINS 4 THIS CD
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