Search - N.E.R.D. :: In Search of

GRADE: A+

Knyte | New York, NY | 04/15/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The Neptunes (fronted by Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams) have been arguably the hottest producers in urban/pop music lately for quite some time now, especially since hits by Kelis ("Caught Out There"), Mystikal ("Shake Ya ..."), and Jay-Z ("Give It To Me [I Just Wanna Love You]"). However, the Neptunes are NOT overnight sensations - they've paid their dues. Way back in 1994 as proteges of New Jack Swing founder Teddy Riley, they did production work with SWV on the "Right Here/Human Nature" remix, as well as SWV's "Use Your Heart" in 1996. Then in 1997, the Neptunes produced Mase's "Lookin At Me" from the Harlem World album, and Noreaga's "Superthug (What What)" months later in 1998. We can't forget O.D.B.'s "Got Your Money" in 1999 either...Now it's 2002, and after lacing Ray J ("Wait A Minute"), Britney Spears ("Slave 4 U"), Ludacris ("Southern Hospitality"), *NSync ("Girlfriend"), and Busta Rhymes/P.Diddy ("Pass The Courvoisier Pt.2") with tracks, the Neptunes/N.E.R.D. have finally done it on their own. They were prepared to come out last spring with a previous, more synth-heavy version of this album in the U.S. last year, but they scrapped that project for this refreshingly more acoustic version. As a Pop/R&B fan with a tendency to like just about anything with a great melody, please let me assure you that `In Search Of' delivers the "goods" to just about anyone with an open mind and an open ear. I'll attempt to elaborate:`In Search Of' opens up on a thunderous note with "Lapdance". Musically, the song thrashes about in a moshpit-inducing manner that is impossible to ignore, and it's great. "Things Are Getting Better" is easily one of the best songs on the album. In my humble opinion, the song sounds like an imaginary collaboration between a cocky, "Mama Said Knock You Out"-era LL Cool J (1990), and a "Sons Of Soul"-era Tony Toni Tone (1993). By the way, Pharrell Williams handles most of the lead vocals in this outfit, and I personally like his voice - it's different."Brain" is a slinky rock song about the joys of having a companion who is talented at "giving" the title of the song; this track should do well with the suburban high school set. "Provider" is an excellent foray into slow, brooding and bluesy guitar rock with an interesting story. For those who dug Everlast's "What It's Like", you'll probably dig this one. Then on "Truth Or Dare", we're taken on a gritty ride through an edgy scenario featuring seductive "rocker-chick" vocals by Kelis (think Pat Benatar or Deborah Harry). "Truth Or Dare" is one of the stronger cuts here. However, "Tape You" is one of my two absolute favorites on the album. It's about a guy who realizes that his girl "swings" both ways, so he decides to ask if he can videotape one of her "alterna-lifestyle" rendezvous. The sonic essence of "Tape You" can be described as playfully kinky, bold, and somewhat unapologetic. It's also on this song that we hear Pharrell virtually morph into Lenny Kravitz -- especially during the chorus (think "Black Velveteen" or "American Woman"). We continue the album with the ultra-plush and elegantly mellow "Run To The Sun"; it has a Jamiroquai style vibe to it. "Baby Doll" is my other favorite song on this album - it's a quirky, retro-sounding `60s beach-boardwalk' jam with vocals that are kinda reminiscent of Beck. They'd better get Spike Jonze to direct the video for "Baby Doll"(!). The next track "Am I High" is another memorable rocker with Lenny Kravitz aftershocks. "Rock Star" (to me) is the most uninteresting song on the album, but it's still pretty decent. "Bobby James" is an aural masterpiece of musical art and storytelling; it's a melancholy mid-tempo about the demise of a 17 year-old heroin addict. It almost has that same tragically comic vibe that Slick Rick's "A Children's Story" did. I'm really hoping to see "Bobby James" released as a single. After "Bobby James", were taken into a jazzy interlude before landing on "Stay Together", a playfully neurotic plea for the reconciliation of a relationship. "Stay Together" has a Beatle-esque vibe to it, musically speaking. Pharrell, Chad and (third wheel) Shay have finally managed to bridge the now disparate worlds of Pop/R&B and Alternative/Classic Rock into a blessed union of sound. As a music lover who appreciates all forms of music (but staunchly rooted in R&B), I cannot bestow enough praise on this album. I have a very good feeling this will be my favorite album of the year, and may even make my personal favorite album list of all time. It's especially exciting to see the Neptunes bringing rock music back to the "audience" it was "invented" by so long ago...Thanks for reading!Knyte."

Funky N.E.R.D.s

Alfonso A. | Imperial Beach, CA | 04/16/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"In Search of....is unquestionably a brilliant record. The Neptunes are known for lacing some of todays top artist with slammin' tracks. One would think they would offer us with the same kind of radio-friendly music with their LP under the name N*E*R*D. Unpredictably, they take a turn to the left and hit us with this fresh, innovative album. From the club-friendly beggining "Lapdance", you might find yourself dancing and not even listening to the lyrics. At first listen, it seems like Pharell Williams is talking about strip clubs when in actuality, he's schoolin' us on how politicians jerk us of our civilian rights. "Things Are Getting Better" sounds like Bootsy Collins mixed with Jamiroquai, that leaves us with a smile in our hearts. "Brain" may seem about a song about a guy who's diggin' a ladies mind when in fact the song is about oral sex. Williams and his partner Chad Hugo said in a interview that about 90% of this LP is metaphorical. And a close listen can confirm that right away. As a matter of fact, N*E*R*D's lyrics can be taken in a few ways, and that's what makes this offering worth you hard earned money. "Run to the Sun" is another cleverly written song that proves to us that not only are the Neptunes terrific producers, but astounding song writers also. The song is actually about Williams' grandmother who recently was diagnosed with leukemia, but at first listen, it just seems like your regular romantic love song, talking about having a little get away. Pharell says that this song is about how he wishes he could escape out of the earths orbit with his granny to escape all the troubles of everyday life. Talk about deep,thought-provoking . "Rock Star" is a straight out "poser" bashing anthem thats catchy as they come. Another cut that stands out is the depressing, "Bobby James". This song is about a young boy who gets bullied in school and contemplates suicide. Think blink-182's "Adams Song" mixed with Eminems stories about the recieving end of getting bullied. "In Search of...." is a new creative, breath of air being blowed into todays uncreative, fad-driven, forgetable music being put out. The Neptunes along with their friend Shay, may be in search of....creative music. Or in search of....a new form of music. Or, in search of innovative music. Whatever it is, N*E*R*D acheived whatever it was in search of and did it with a fresh perpective. This album is a must-have for any music fan of all aspects of music. ... There isn't one cut that's a filler. Every song has it's purpose on here. Not quite 5 stars but more like 4 and a half. But, since I can't give a four and a half, they always say to round up right? So Five it is!"

Amazon's reviewer has wax in her ears!

Joel Urbanowicz | East Lansing, MI USA | 03/14/2002

(5 out of 5 stars)

"The absolute nerve of the amazon reviewer to call this an unsuccessful experiment. "This" (meaning NERD's debut CD) is what every aspiring rap/rock band wants to sound like. There isn't a single song on the entire CD that is unlikeable. If anyone has been following The Neptunes as of late, you would know that the CD has been finished for at least 6 months, sort of. Originally, the disc had the feeling of the Neptunes previous work (Jay-Z, Mystikal, Britney Spears). All the tracks had a complex bass pattern played by a drum machine and lots of synthesizers. It sounded great (thanks Kazaa), but apparently the Neptunes thought otherwise. They scrapped the whole CD, and eventually came to the table with "In Search Of...". This disc is brimming with originality. Every track has live intruments. No drum machine, no synthesizers. The beats and rythmns that were originaly electronic now sound even tigher, nore intricate, and heavier than before. There is hip-hop (Lapdance, Truth or Dare). There is rock (Rock Star). There is funk (Am I High). I can honestly say that this is one of the few CDs that I can listen to all the way through. This CD will go into heavy rotation in my car, probably the best driving music that I own (right up there with Linkin Park). Kudos goes out to the Neptunes for giving this Lansing DJ something new and exciting to listen to this spring."