The new N.E.R.D. album

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Just gave the new N.E.R.D. a first listen - and it strikes me as somewhat lame. They still have some kind of edge in their lyrics (at once straightforward and weird) and general pushiness, but the sound is just so boooring! Actually, weren't they already (artistically, certainly not commercially) doomed the moment they gave in to this wack-ass authenticity idea of playing 'real' instruments (or letting tired ol' Spymob do it, anyway)? I mean, when they ditched the brilliant, original version of 'In Search Of' in favor of trying to be a 'rock band' and rerecording it with analogue gear?

In their press release, they say that it was "more honest" to play ol skool instruments. I think that is nonsense: The world won't remember Hugo/Williams as musicians, but as brilliant producers and auteurs. And if they feel that way, that's even fine with me. But insisting on releasing stuff made that way - why should we bother?

Inputs?

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 15 March 2004 22:12 (twenty-two years ago)

yea, nerd have always sucked.

― jkhj, Monday, 15 March 2004 22:17 (twenty-two years ago)

Calm it, lairy.

― Barima (Barima), Monday, 15 March 2004 22:22 (twenty-two years ago)

If this sounds anything like the re-recorded In Search Of, Jay, you'll be very on the money.

― Barima (Barima), Monday, 15 March 2004 22:23 (twenty-two years ago)

If this sounds anything like the re-recorded In Search Of

Or indeed the N*E*R*D track on "Clones".

― Nick H (Nick H), Monday, 15 March 2004 23:08 (twenty-two years ago)

Is the original version of "In Serch Of.." a rare thing now?

― Nik (Nik), Monday, 15 March 2004 23:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Very. It's on slsk but it's quite hard to search for.

― Nick H (Nick H), Monday, 15 March 2004 23:52 (twenty-two years ago)

No, i have it (copies of), but was wondering how much of a "lost masterpiece" status is had attained since its release.

I presume its deleted?

I blame Virgin America and the yahoos that didn't know how to market the NERD sound to America.

― Nik (Nik), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 00:02 (twenty-two years ago)

Didn't Pharrell and Chad pull it though?

― Nick H (Nick H), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 00:10 (twenty-two years ago)

They are yahoos.

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 00:11 (twenty-two years ago)

It really is proof that their tastes are um occassionally somewhat dodgy. Why anyone would consider the US version an improvement over the UK one is beyond me.

― Alex in SF (Alex in SF), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 00:13 (twenty-two years ago)

her arse is a spaceship I want to ride. L to the A to the M to the E. I can't comment any more because I could not get past that line, it's an embarrassment to the community

― Menelaus Darcy (Menelaus Darcy), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 00:48 (twenty-two years ago)

Miccio, sometimes people think something is crap for the simple reason that it IS crap. I don't care about that spaceship line. I'm not a huge Neptunes fan who was disappointed. I'm not reflexively knocking down the 'kings of the moment. I just don't think it's a good piece of music.

― oops (Oops), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:03 (twenty-two years ago)

man I totally resist posting on this thread and I STILL get shit on it.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:08 (twenty-two years ago)

boohoo, you love it, hence the endless expounding on a totally nothing "theory" on the other thread. not the first time, won't be the last.

― Ronan (Ronan), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:08 (twenty-two years ago)

oh I wasn't crying. I just get tired of putting haha's at the front of everything.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:10 (twenty-two years ago)

though the fact that people can't just say "Anthony, you're talking out of your ass" makes me think I really must have hit a nerve with that particular generalization.

(anyhow, this isn't a thread about me! it's about an album that I'm pretty curious to hear!)

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Ha ha I haven't heard that argument from dickheads ever, oh no!

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:18 (twenty-two years ago)

you guys are like the Furies

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:19 (twenty-two years ago)

i don't understand this place anymore.

― The Lady Ms Lurex (lucylurex), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:21 (twenty-two years ago)

not that i ever did.

― The Lady Ms Lurex (lucylurex), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:22 (twenty-two years ago)

It's about stuff and things.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:23 (twenty-two years ago)

How important do people see NERD's first album in getting mainstream critics in paying attention to the Neptune's production group?

I ask, because I'm trying to remember when the Neptune's changed from being an anonymous production team to what they are today.

Xpost x 5 (not that it mattered)

― Jedmond (Jedmond), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:24 (twenty-two years ago)

i think the live drums added energy to the original "in search of"

― Pablo Cruise (chaki), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 01:26 (twenty-two years ago)

I think it's fair to say that, while talented, their 15 minutes in the spotlight are just... about...

― scottontharox (scottkundla), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 07:16 (twenty-two years ago)

Listen here.

― JoB (JoB), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 07:53 (twenty-two years ago)

WTFU. It sounds good.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 07:56 (twenty-two years ago)

I have the original nerd album and I can rip it if anyone wants it and put it on my slsk, email me at choking_tara@hotmail.com.

― Mark HArris, Tuesday, 16 March 2004 09:46 (twenty-two years ago)

How wrong is it to like that 'Backseat Love' song?

― DJ Mencap (DJ Mencap), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 11:15 (twenty-two years ago)

i have orig version. fuckin yawnsville after 5th listen. just dont get it now. time for a reappraisal of their musical value methinks.
they are fine as producers of pop ..as they add some interesting elements to the mix .. but as NERD they seem to loose their focus .. or should i hear the second version of "In Search of .." ?

― mark e (mark e), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 11:18 (twenty-two years ago)

nono, the first is absolutely preferable. i have it if someone wants a cd-r, get in touch, and i'll try to send it one of these weeks. it's waaaaaaaay better than the second. no, not just way better, it's a different record with a different ethos. it strikes me as much more complex and verging on the ironic. that has all disappeared with the clumsy spymob live instrumentation.

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 12:24 (twenty-two years ago)

People hugely overemphasise the differences between the two versions of In Search Of.

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 12:34 (twenty-two years ago)

nah, I have tried to analyse it - I mean some songs I like have lines/ sentiments I find repulsive, or videos that are repugnant, but I still don't like what I hear from NERD (though they have improved other people's releases I think) I can't tell how popular they are as I have not read Pavement or the Face magazine to gauge how hard they were sucked off in the articles. Shame on me for not being down with the kids. Shame on me for being unable to resist a micro-bitch. This late entry occurs in the thread as Di told me I might have been confused with the mysterious and talented Mr. Miccio - but no, I am the ILM Dilettante M. Darcy.

― Menelaus Darcy (Menelaus Darcy), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 12:53 (twenty-two years ago)

both equally impenetrable though

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 12:59 (twenty-two years ago)

anyway, i have nil hope for this album, and if anything people don't emphasize the difference between the two versions of ...in search of enough.

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 13:00 (twenty-two years ago)

jess OTM

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 13:18 (twenty-two years ago)

People laughed when NERD compared politicians to strippers back on '01...but who's laughing now?

― Mark (MarkR), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 13:50 (twenty-two years ago)

justin timberlake

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 13:51 (twenty-two years ago)

I've never heard the first version of In Search Of..., but I still like five songs from the American version. Their new single, though, is about the worst thing I've heard so far this year.

― Phil Freeman (Phil Freeman), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 14:48 (twenty-two years ago)

So, to get back to the original subject of this thread : is the new NERD just shit ? Should I save the euros for something else ?

― AleXTC (AleXTC), Tuesday, 16 March 2004 15:16 (twenty-two years ago)

I think it's fair to say that, while talented, their 15 minutes in the spotlight are just... about...

You mean 7 years in the spotlight?

I think the second version of the album is far superior to the first, which was cool but sounds tame in comparison. And I'm hardly one to worship at the floor of "real" instrumentation - I hate guitars, normally. But the second version had a LOT more energy than the first. And is superior.
Also, I think "In Search of ..." was a great album. And come on, the entire thing is full of ridiculous lyrical conceits, so you yahoos get upset about "her ass is a spaceship"?! Come on, gimme a break. The lyrical conceits are what makes NERD's music so charming! That and its sonic awesomeness. "Tape You" = postmodern masterpiece.

― djdee2005, Tuesday, 16 March 2004 20:10 (twenty-two years ago)

This is a truly dreadful album. I mean seriously it is the worst thing I've heard in ages. Jesus it's SO FUCKING LAME.

― Ronan (Ronan), Thursday, 18 March 2004 21:09 (twenty-two years ago)

I love you, Ronan.

― @d@ml (nordicskilla), Thursday, 18 March 2004 21:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Apart from the single and a couple other tracks, I am loving it.

― Andy K (Andy K), Thursday, 18 March 2004 21:16 (twenty-two years ago)

There are some tracks on In Search Of... that are way better & far more ROWDAH on the second version ("Striptease" & "Rock Star" in partic) than on the OG version. They need to learn how to switch that shit up from one song to the next and not worry so much about conceptual homogenity.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Thursday, 18 March 2004 21:20 (twenty-two years ago)

Wow, biggest disappointment in ages. I liked She Wants To Move as a cool radio song, but it is by far the best song on Fly Or Die. I'm kind of enjoying first songs Don't Worry About It but after that it's just... pants! What's happened?

― JoB (JoB), Friday, 19 March 2004 00:46 (twenty-two years ago)

ugh if "she wants to move" is the best song i shudder to think

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:09 (twenty-two years ago)

i like she wants to move. i don't know their motives behind playing "real" instruments, if it was for some kind of "authenticity" then thats dumb. but i don't care. i want to move. it makes me move. end of story.

― The Lady Ms Lurex (lucylurex), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:21 (twenty-two years ago)

shall i lock the thread now?

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:22 (twenty-two years ago)

Hahahaha.

― Alex in NYC (vassifer), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:23 (twenty-two years ago)

dave matthews roolz u all suck and that's it!!

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:26 (twenty-two years ago)

If you had said John Mayer rather than Dave I'd agree.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:33 (twenty-two years ago)

john mayer is for fagz

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:33 (twenty-two years ago)

I will admit that even though she wanted to hear it (after hearing me rave about it) I couldn't let "Clarity" play on the radio when my friend was in the car. I felt too vulnerable.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:36 (twenty-two years ago)

i felt the same way about "southern hospitality" and my grandpa

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Friday, 19 March 2004 02:38 (twenty-two years ago)

heaven forbid anyone should listen to fag music

― Menelaus Darcy (Menelaus Darcy), Friday, 19 March 2004 03:24 (twenty-two years ago)

it's like firing large canonballs against a stadium

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Friday, 19 March 2004 03:28 (twenty-two years ago)

I like the second version of In Search Of... so much more than the first. "She Wants To Move" really dampened my interest in the new one, though.

― Colin Beckett (Colin Beckett), Friday, 19 March 2004 03:30 (twenty-two years ago)

i saw the video on a computer monitor through the window of an electronics store

― s1ocki (slutsky), Friday, 19 March 2004 04:42 (twenty-two years ago)

actually, it was a used computer store, and it kinda felt like the perfect viewing environment for that video

― s1ocki (slutsky), Friday, 19 March 2004 04:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I gave it one out of ten, I felt this may have been harsh but I listened again this afternoon and am confident it was the right decision. There's no rhythmic invention whatsoever except perhaps on She Wants To Move, it's all just thump thump thump, most of it sounds like Lenny Kravitz, I thought that before noticing he is actually on the record.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 15:36 (twenty-two years ago)

Obviously a lot of people were hoping for something amazing. I am very curious to see the reviews. NME gave it 8/10. Personally, I would give it 4/10.

― JoB (JoB), Friday, 19 March 2004 15:39 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah one was a bit harsh perhaps but I felt in the context of it being such a big release I needed to make it abundantly clear how rubbish it was.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 15:41 (twenty-two years ago)

lenny kravitz is on the record?!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Friday, 19 March 2004 15:55 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah he is credited with an appearance on the back, not sure on which track though.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 15:57 (twenty-two years ago)

By the end I was waiting for Carlos Santana, Nelly Furtado and Bono to show up.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 15:57 (twenty-two years ago)

my god, it's worse than i thought!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Friday, 19 March 2004 15:58 (twenty-two years ago)

paging rob thomas!

― s1ocki (slutsky), Friday, 19 March 2004 15:58 (twenty-two years ago)

Kravitz' appearance is such an event/blemish on the record that most people will only know about it by reading the credits.

― Andy K (Andy K), Friday, 19 March 2004 16:03 (twenty-two years ago)

think it's fair to say that, while talented, their 15 minutes in the spotlight are just... about...
You mean 7 years in the spotlight?

Yeah, the Neps were everywhere in, um, 1997...?

― Strachey, Friday, 19 March 2004 16:06 (twenty-two years ago)

I dunno Andy, as I said the entire thing made me think Lenny Kravitz and then I saw he was there! It was scary.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 16:07 (twenty-two years ago)

you willed it to be so.

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Friday, 19 March 2004 16:46 (twenty-two years ago)

LENNY, HOOVER MY ROOM, HOOVER. MY. ROOM.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 17:08 (twenty-two years ago)

If I say his name five times will he go away?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Friday, 19 March 2004 17:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah, the Neps were everywhere in, um, 1997...?

oh sorry whatever, 5 years. Regardless "15 minutes of fame" is a bit of a stupid thing to say when describing the Neptune's creative streak. In fact, its an absolutely ridiculous thing to say.

― djdee2005, Friday, 19 March 2004 18:14 (twenty-two years ago)

Goddammit! I am going to publicly admit that, while I have not heard the "original" version (which I am sure is quite good and all), I really fuckin' like the Spymobified version of In Search Of...

You can all completely disregard any future things I ever have to say about music now, if you haven't already.

― Nate in ST.P (natedetritus), Friday, 19 March 2004 18:29 (twenty-two years ago)

my verdict on tracks just played on 6 Music

utter trash, sounds like bad Lenny Kravitz singing over a weak back beat.

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:02 (twenty-two years ago)

ha it was bad Kravitz !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:03 (twenty-two years ago)

this album deserves a right roasting !

― DJ Martian (djmartian), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:05 (twenty-two years ago)

Okay, I feel a lot better about my love for the record now.

― Andy K (Andy K), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:34 (twenty-two years ago)

The first N.E.R.D. album was on my list of things to buy for a while but I never got around to it, then I read that it had been deleted and replaced with a rubbish rerecorded version so I gave up on the idea.

Is the hated Petridis right in his lukewarm review today that picks out 'No One Knows', 'The Way She Dances' and 'Drill Sargent' as the good tracks?

― N. (nickdastoor), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:41 (twenty-two years ago)

I thought "The Way She Dances" was complete rubbish because of the title and lyrics, all Ricky Martinesque and whoa that crazy girl is like THE DEVIL HIMSELF!

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:49 (twenty-two years ago)

criticising lyrics=i am a rockist. but I'm not.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:49 (twenty-two years ago)

(also Martian you'll ruin the hivemind consensus!! Ssh!)

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:49 (twenty-two years ago)

It's a Lenny Kravitz record as much as it's a Rotary Connection record or a Burt Bacharach record or a super-sized Todd Rundgren record.

"Wonderful Place" is the best track. The last half of it, about a family fishing trip that nearly ends with a baby drowning, made me tear up.

― Andy K (Andy K), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Andy you hurt me! Wonderful Place was the lowpoint for me!

I agree with Job that "The Way She Moves" is the best track, it hints at a bit of danger even if it never quite delivers.

― Ronan (Ronan), Friday, 19 March 2004 19:52 (twenty-two years ago)

It's okay, Ronan. I'm learning with each passing minute that I'm going to be in the minority on this one.

I'm anxious to hear what Pablo has to say about it.

Petridis kinda fouled up by attributing some vocals to Williams when they weren't done by Williams.

― Andy K (Andy K), Friday, 19 March 2004 20:00 (twenty-two years ago)

I am really liking this so far. The complaints people have levelled at the Neptunes are all things I find I have to look past anyway when listening to music of this sort (the slick mainstream sort) and so it's not unusual for me to quickly forget about "her ass is a spaceship" and get on with enjoying it. I find the pacing is excellent (almost respiratory) and the hooks are really good.

― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Saturday, 20 March 2004 00:49 (twenty-two years ago)

this prob means i get 0/10 for "rhythmic invention" but i still find this instant bitter offended hating on 'she wants to move' a bit odd, ok it's not like amaaazing but "oh isn't pharrell so smug and patronising now" what you just noticed all of a sudden yeah?! you thought he was your friend but "he decided he still loves you"... tut tut bad auteur, p williams knows exactly what he's inflicting and what authenticities he's fucking with cos i just heard the 'swtm' rmx with MOS DEF and Q-TIP hahaha wicked

― prima fassy (mwah), Saturday, 20 March 2004 09:29 (twenty-two years ago)

ps i'm not trying to say ur all plebs who dont understand the glorious masterplan, it's all prob average but i still find it quite funny

― prima fassy (mwah), Saturday, 20 March 2004 09:33 (twenty-two years ago)

it's just the latest rmx of "p williams: lord of the null lines" but everyone calls it foul play hur hur

― prima fassy (mwah), Saturday, 20 March 2004 09:39 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think it's necessarily smugness, it's just a crap record, my main problem isn't Pharrell so much as the crap beats. I might check out that remix though.

(in fact looking back I don't see anyone mentioning Pharrell's smugness or maybe even his name!)

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 20 March 2004 12:16 (twenty-two years ago)

yah well, elsewhere it has been noted. if no ones mentioning names then ignore me cos if ur forgetting it's pharrell then i dont see the point. in anything!

― prima fassy (mwah), Saturday, 20 March 2004 12:27 (twenty-two years ago)

I had to go back and check your first post to see if you used "p williams" cos you weren't sure how to spell Pharrell. I was a bit cautious spelling it myself but I think I'm through the worst of it.

As I said I just think it's really boring musically, I didn't want to talk about Pharrell, it's been done to death, I mean how long ago was Frontin'?

― Ronan (Ronan), Saturday, 20 March 2004 12:31 (twenty-two years ago)

haha i hate it because it sounds like the red hot chilli peppers. how many times on how many threads do i have to say this?

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 20 March 2004 13:54 (twenty-two years ago)

smug is as smug does though, i suppose.

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 20 March 2004 13:55 (twenty-two years ago)

can it be it was all so much simpler then

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Saturday, 20 March 2004 14:11 (twenty-two years ago)

Sometimes it feels as if the bullies have been winning in hiphop ever since. As Dre 3000 of Outkast said to Spin in March: ‘I don’t think black people like change too tough. I think black people like comfort, more than anything. You get them people who be like," You’re trying to do this for the white people," or, "The nigga must be gay" or some shit-all that. Black people aren’t into change, period."

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Saturday, 20 March 2004 14:35 (twenty-two years ago)

oh digression that reminds me has the ekkehard ehlers rmx of californication come out yet??! (he'll be better than fennesz mayyn)

― prima fassy (mwah), Saturday, 20 March 2004 16:10 (twenty-two years ago)

surely you jest? that would be either the best or the worst thing ever.

― fields of salmon (fieldsofsalmon), Saturday, 20 March 2004 21:15 (twenty-two years ago)

dear boy, it's even on warners

― prima fassy (mwah), Sunday, 21 March 2004 01:29 (twenty-two years ago)

haha i hate it because it sounds like the red hot chilli peppers.

Even Petridish managed to spot this comparison in his review a couple of days ago...

I thought "She Wants To Move" was fucking dreadful, but after a cursory listen to the tracks on offer at the website I really do see how it might be the best one.

― The Lex (The Lex), Sunday, 21 March 2004 09:43 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't think that "She Wants To Move" is awful even, just really mediocre by their standards and mostly in ways that could have been easily avoided (like, the anti-linearity of "Her name - she's sexy!" etc. is just annoying rather than intriguing).

It's not like N.E.R.D. (or The Neptunes generally) haven't done heaps of tunes before that could have served the same schmindie-crossover purpose while still being, like, y'know, really good ("Young, Fresh & New" springs to mind here). And it's not like schmindie-crossover and mediocrity are inextricably linked. Although they have been quite frequently lately.

― Tim Finney (Tim Finney), Sunday, 21 March 2004 12:27 (twenty-two years ago)

I downloaded 'Drill Sergeant'. Good grief - The Neptunes go Boo Radleys!

― N. (nickdastoor), Sunday, 21 March 2004 12:53 (twenty-two years ago)

Imagine a glamorous cocktail party co-hosted by a black Randy Newman, a post-hip hop Jimi Hendrix and an intellectual Whitesnake, and you're still only in the passport queue Fly or Die takes off from.

Confused? You should be. But also relieved that such idiosyncratic talents as N*E*R*D are prepared to cross genres and bring a fresh impetus to rock music.

― JoB (JoB), Monday, 22 March 2004 16:15 (twenty-two years ago)

Is it just Ronan and me, then?

― JoB (JoB), Monday, 22 March 2004 16:16 (twenty-two years ago)

The remix of "She Wants to Move" w/ De La Soul, Mos Def, Common, and Q-Tip is fire.

― djdee2005, Monday, 22 March 2004 17:18 (twenty-two years ago)

"She Wants To Move" didn't impress me much, so I haven't been curious enough to check out the rest of the album.

― El Diablo Robotico (Nicole), Monday, 22 March 2004 17:25 (twenty-two years ago)

You're kidding about that rap remix, no?

― JoB (JoB), Monday, 22 March 2004 17:27 (twenty-two years ago)

"it’s the sound of the penny finally dropping for those who have chosen to live in caves or under rocks for the last few years"

that's what I said in my review and I stand by that, NERD make a crap rock record=loads of half assed conservative old hacks suddenly use Fly Or Die as a chance to talk about what they should have been talking about ages ago, and why not, it's an album in a language they can understand!

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:09 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm confused about all the talk about rockist hacks suddenly jumping on the Neptunes bandwagon with Fly Or Die...granted, I haven't seen a lot of the press on it yet, but I don't get the impression it's getting substantially more attention than the first N*E*R*D album or than their productions in general the last couple years.

― Al (sitcom), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:14 (twenty-two years ago)

It could be just Ireland then!

I've read two features on them in the last week.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:21 (twenty-two years ago)

If there's one thing worse then a critic playing catch-up, it's gotta be the "I liked them three years ago, now they suck. You missed it, nyah" stance.

I really don't hear any indie crossover appeal to "She Want to Move." It's closer to rap-rock Linkin Park territory.

― bnw (bnw), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:24 (twenty-two years ago)

This sorta annoys me because I feel like NERD get unfairly shit on for using "real" instruments rather than electronic ones, as if electronic ones are INHERENTLY superior and using "real" instruments is now automatically regressive backward rockist worship of old music.(use of quotes obviously signifying that "real" = guitar bass drums, no quality judgement intended). I'm HARDLY someone that is gonna prefer "real" instruments to electronics/samples/whatever, but I don't think that NERD's music sucks because of that! Nor do I think that's a fair point to criticize them on. You can criticize them if their songs aren't catchy, if their shit is wack, but by being ANTI-rockist you're being just as controlled by the medium rather than the music itself!
NERD's new album may very well suck. But it won't be because they used guitars instead of synths, it'll be because the songs just aren't as good.

― djdee2005, Monday, 22 March 2004 19:25 (twenty-two years ago)

You're kidding about that rap remix, no?

No. There is a remix. With De La, Common, Mos Def, and Q-Tip.

― djdee2005, Monday, 22 March 2004 19:29 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah my point though isn't re:the instruments solely, or the critical reception. My initial gripe is that it's a crap record and it's boring and it doesn't do anything new with the instruments and indeed compared to other tracks they've done it's all very conservative.

I never said anything about the real instruments thing, in fairness!

I don't think the Neptunes are over either, I'm totally open to them making more good records, as I say from the starting point of me not liking Fly Or Die I've come to the rest of my conclusions.

I'm not just saying it's shit because of the timing or the expected critical reception, it's a rubbish record and this for me is compounded by the fact that it's the right kind of rubbish record to appeal to people who were too lazy to praise the Neptunes before.

If you don't think some critics won't praise an act until certain things fall into place then you're being naive.

Yeah I don't think I'm guilty of what you accuse me of djdee.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:40 (twenty-two years ago)

Yeah ok I see what you were saying. You're right re: people catching a late pass on the Neptunes; I think my point is important though.

― djdee2005, Monday, 22 March 2004 19:42 (twenty-two years ago)

I've no problem with instruments or whatever, it's just a boring record, a crap mor rock record. One which in a country like the one I live in, can easily be sold to the doubters and the ones who wouldn't like a JT record by default.

I mean surely post-Timberlake this moment in time is a truly desperate one for any self respecting critic to start bigging up the Neptunes! Especially when they big up the back catalogue aswell. When Like I Love You came out that would have been fair enough, I'm not being that strict.

(I agree your point is important, I mean to be honest guitars etc are used in so much of all music anyway that the whole real/fake thing is odd, loads of dance has guitars in it now anyway)

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:43 (twenty-two years ago)

to be fair, I definitely know people who became a lot more interested in the Neptunes after hearing them do something with 'real' instruments, and got excited about "Like I Love You" mainly because of its reverbed-out 'live'-sounding drums.

― Al (sitcom), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:45 (twenty-two years ago)

HEY!
I started this thread, and I have been listening to this record for a week now. I have changed my mind about it.

It is actually pretty good! If you listen, it becomes clear that this is not rock. It is the Neps fooling around with rock, just as they've been fooling around with hip-hop, disco and jazz, even. Only this time, it happens to be r'n'r that they've run through the NeptunesTM machinery.

If you listen closely, you'll hear that they only play a few bars of instruments, loop them and manipulate them to the exact same extent as they do all their other stuff. Not that this is automatically 'better' or more 'inventive' than actually playing the tunes from start to finish using ol skool instruments, but it just tells you something about the status of raaawk in this recording: It is a means to an end, just like all the other musical styles they've taken inspiration from.

So, this is not a N*E*R*D record. This is just another Neptunes record. And it is pretty good. Luv the shouting chorus on 'Thrasher'. Luv the Led Zep-mimicking on 'Don't Worry About It'. Luv the allusions to theatrical Queen rock. Luv the Boo Radleys-like 'Drill Sergeant'. It's all completely post-modern, with all the probs (sic!)and cons that bears with it. It displays a lot of love for rock. But isn't rock. That's the whole beauty of it.

Shame about the Lenny bit, though.

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:53 (twenty-two years ago)

I would say having Lenny on your record is as good a definition of something that isn't rock as any, though.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 22 March 2004 19:54 (twenty-two years ago)

I don't credit them with the intelligence of fooling around with it.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 22 March 2004 20:07 (twenty-two years ago)

from http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&uid=UIDSUB020403011012341266&sql=A24jteaw64xh7

Unlike In Search Of..., originally made primarily on N.E.R.D.'s various machines and then re-configured with assistance from funk-rock band Spymob, Fly or Die is kept almost entirely in-house. The ridiculous cover, along with first single "She Wants to Move" — and its accompanying video, including a literal translation of the line "Her ass is a spaceship I want to ride" — thankfully provide little indication of the album's true make-up. And the moments where the Star Trak hand sign gets flipped to a set of devil horns are mercifully fleeting, though "Backseat Love" is undoubtedly problematic — it plays Dumberer to "She Wants to Move"'s Dumber. ("Lapdance" was Dumb.) The rest of the album isn't just noteworthy for subject matter that skips through child-parent relationship sketches, ecological reveries, and protest songs; the bright, bold Neptunes glaze that normally coats their chart-aimed singles of all stripes is applied to material that will leave many people baffled. The album sees the group rummaging through parts of their record collection that don't normally bubble to the surface in their production work. Most disarming of all is "Wonderful Place," a seven-minute trip divided into halves. The first shows a chipper Pharrell striding through a sunny meadow, marvelling at the natural wonders of the planet in spite of its troubles; with a horn-punched chorus ("My soul's in my smile/Don't frown, just get up get up") and other subtle splashes of Baroque-pop elements, it owes equally to Burt Bacharach and the Left Banke. This dissolves into a fading whistle, only to give rise to a dramatic, synthetically orchestral and acoustic-folk tale about a near-fatal family fishing trip. Any parent of the past, present or near future will be stirred, especially once Pharrell goes falsetto to emphasize the relief of the nearly-drowned baby being rescued by his mother. Instead of pausing for effect, the album goose-steps into "Drill Sergeant," yet another two-parter. Half power-pop bounce and half tumbling, doomsday pummel, the song pulls no punches with anti-war sentiments that target the government and media; and when a teeth-clenched Pharrell talks about his fear of blowing up, you know he's not talking about fame. Despite the heavy subject matter in a third of the songs, the album nonetheless carries a lighthearted, fun-loving lilt. At face value, Fly or Die is a rather straightforward rock record. To N.E.R.D.'s credit, no one else could've made this particular rock record. Ideas come by the bushel, hooks arrive when least expected, embedded jokes get discovered like easter eggs. Nobody can tie all of these things together and make them glow quite like this. Apart from a ploy to get some rotation at your local mall's Hot Topic (Good Charlotte's Madden brothers make an appearance), they didn't appear to make this record for anyone but themselves. So while Fly or Die is one of the most creative and ambitious moments of the Neptunes' career, it might also be their least understood. — Andy Kellman

― djdee2005, Monday, 22 March 2004 20:07 (twenty-two years ago)

thread killa!

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 22 March 2004 20:20 (twenty-two years ago)

This album's gonna be more fun to write about than listen to, I'm guessing.

― Barima (Barima), Monday, 22 March 2004 20:28 (twenty-two years ago)

Bah, there's nothing to understand.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 22 March 2004 20:29 (twenty-two years ago)

It doesn't come out of leftfield to me really, it's been clear for ages that the Neptunes have some real stinker material in them! I mean just read the stuff Pharrell says in interviews.

― Ronan (Ronan), Monday, 22 March 2004 20:30 (twenty-two years ago)

the neps fire a lot of blanks, i mean, A LOT, but this album is actually rather enjoyable. i felt the same way as you to begin with, ronan, but try to give it another chance!

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 22 March 2004 20:31 (twenty-two years ago)

I donno about the rest of the album, but "Wonderful Place" is excellent.

― djdee2005, Monday, 22 March 2004 20:48 (twenty-two years ago)

I had a feeling this might be just kneejerk anti-guitar bias on this thread but fuck me this is mediocre. It's nothing to do with the instrumentation (and I maintain that the presence of live guitars and drums on the first record didn't make that much difference really) but the SONGS are dreadful. If it was a good rock record I'd forgive them but Christ...

― Matt DC (Matt DC), Monday, 22 March 2004 23:30 (twenty-two years ago)

Well, I bought the album yesterday, and the first half is rubbish apart from 'She Wants To Move'.. a bit. It started to get more interesting, but by that point dinner was ready.

― Buffalo Stan (Buffalo Stan), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 15:49 (twenty-two years ago)

The little bit of their performance of "She Wants To Move" on Letterman last night that I caught after Prince's Leno freakout made me fully realize how much I crave a Pharrell-less Chad Hugo project.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 15:57 (twenty-two years ago)

Hmm. His ego has surely landed.

― Buffalo Stan (Buffalo Stan), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 15:59 (twenty-two years ago)

I found it somewhat frustrating that this man (Pharrell) whose music I have pretty recently been strongly enamoured with spent the majority of the "performance" not really doing much along the lines of singing nor playing an instrument but instead basically just staring at a lady's titties. On national TV.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 16:10 (twenty-two years ago)

Now that I think about it though, were it ODB in Pharrell's place, I would've loved it.

― nickalicious (nickalicious), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 16:14 (twenty-two years ago)

I'm starting to get really annoyed at all the press (and posts) about N*E*R*D that invariably refer to "funk-rock band Spymob" or "tired ol' Spymob", from people who clearly have never heard Spymob's own material (aside from maybe that sub-par song on the Clones comp).

― Al (sitcom), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 16:51 (twenty-two years ago)

Sorry, Al.

― Andy K (Andy K), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 17:00 (twenty-two years ago)

i have heard ben folds five's, sorry, spymob's own material, and i have heard them live (urgh). and i reserve the right to call them "tired ol' spymob", thank you very much!

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Tuesday, 23 March 2004 18:10 (twenty-two years ago)

I need to listen to it for at least another month to know for sure, but as of right now, I have no idea if this album is good or not.

The same thing happened with "Me Against The Music," which I've recently decided is like a 3 out of 10, so there's a good chance Fly or Die is not gonna sit well with me.

BTW, the second version of In Search Of is my favorite record of 2002.

― billstevejim, Tuesday, 23 March 2004 18:16 (twenty-two years ago)

so what does the Good Charlotte collabo sound like? I was looking on the back of the album and was shocked to see the Madden Bros. were the only guests listed on the album (missed their mention in the AMG review, oddly enough). I'm surprised this hasn't really come up already.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Wednesday, 24 March 2004 22:42 (twenty-two years ago)

This album is great. It even made me like She Wants to Move, although it probably shouldn't have been the single. One thing I love about the Neptunes is that they're total classic rockers.

― bugged out, Sunday, 28 March 2004 20:40 (twenty-one years ago)

Having finally heard 'She Wants To Move' over the weekend, I think it's perfect material for a DFA mix at least. On its own, it's mondo average Pharrell cheese. I watched an MTV show from one of their London gigs last night and the older tracks done live sounded k-better than the new single (which was also done live and still sounded ordinary).

― Barima (Barima), Monday, 29 March 2004 13:49 (twenty-one years ago)

i ended up giving it a "3". i fear i may have overrated it.

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Monday, 29 March 2004 13:58 (twenty-one years ago)

out of how many?

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 29 March 2004 14:35 (twenty-one years ago)

100, knowing Dr Strongo.

― Barima (Barima), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:04 (twenty-one years ago)

I thought it was out of 2!

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:05 (twenty-one years ago)

out of five would be fair

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:18 (twenty-one years ago)

the rating system for the magazine goes 1-10, fools

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:25 (twenty-one years ago)

10 Alf dolls?

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:33 (twenty-one years ago)

10 knuckle shuffle

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:39 (twenty-one years ago)

Followed by a friendly game of Uno, I hope.

― David R. (popshots75`), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:43 (twenty-one years ago)

you sunk my battleship

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:50 (twenty-one years ago)

I could see the Neptunes filming a video on an oversized Stratego set, and then doing strange things to the Spy.

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Monday, 29 March 2004 15:52 (twenty-one years ago)

that's not fair. 6 out of ten would be fair.

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Monday, 29 March 2004 17:14 (twenty-one years ago)

awww, won't anybody tell me what the Madden Bros. track sounds like?

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Monday, 29 March 2004 22:11 (twenty-one years ago)

haha i dont base my taste on "fairness" dude

― strongo hulkington (dubplatestyle), Monday, 29 March 2004 22:13 (twenty-one years ago)

do you base it on unfairness?

― ..., Monday, 29 March 2004 23:12 (twenty-one years ago)

maybe because the fucking album's been delayed for a YEAR AND A HALF?

― Matos W.K. (M Matos), Monday, 29 March 2004 23:52 (twenty-one years ago)

I have reached the point where I would love to see Pharrell sink slowly into the ocean.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Monday, 29 March 2004 23:59 (twenty-one years ago)

good point, Matos. I'm just sayin'! I don't expect people to have heard their record, but they seem to be making inaccurate assumptions about what they sound like based on N.E.R.D. but apparently their album is finally dropping, without much fanfare, next week: Spymob

― Al (sitcom), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:05 (twenty-one years ago)

Hopefully whales will be eating his eyes as he goes under.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:05 (twenty-one years ago)

SEXY!

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:08 (twenty-one years ago)

Why whales, why not seals or trilobites?

― Ned Raggett (Ned), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:09 (twenty-one years ago)

they're HOT!

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:10 (twenty-one years ago)

Then Poseidon will rise up and stick a gigantic fuck-off trident in Pharrell's ear while a thousand children dance on the shoreline and sing "FUCK OFF YOU FUCKING OVEREXPOSED FUCKFACE/NOT EVEN "Beautiful" CAN SAVE YOU NOW".

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:11 (twenty-one years ago)

When his body washes up on the shore, vacationing families will take turns pounding on the skull with mallets until the candy comes out.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:11 (twenty-one years ago)

In the last Blender, Pharrell admitted that he used to do the robot down the hallway every day in high school. Knowing that has made me much more tolerant of his absurdity.

Stop frontin', Perry.

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:11 (twenty-one years ago)

ARGH MDK

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:12 (twenty-one years ago)

(I think I should leave work now.)

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:13 (twenty-one years ago)

My Death Knell? My Deepest Kondolences?

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:15 (twenty-one years ago)

How much do you want to bet that Pharrell is resting his chin on his hand in his Senior Yearbook photo?

― Anthony Miccio (Anthony Miccio), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:16 (twenty-one years ago)

MurderDeathKill

I'm going to make a gabber song called "Asshat" that will have a video featuring Pharrell dancing around a tree with a parasol and a panda.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:18 (twenty-one years ago)

Actually, maybe I'll just superimpose Pharrell's head on Barney's body.

― VengaDan Perry (Dan Perry), Tuesday, 30 March 2004 00:19 (twenty-one years ago)

I really, really like this album.

― o. nate (onate), Friday, 2 April 2004 19:29 (twenty-one years ago)

Here's what I wrote about it on my blog:

I didn't expect to like this album as much as I do. On a whim, I gave it a spin at the listening station at Tower, and a few minutes later I was in line to buy it. Since then, I haven't gone a day without listening to it.

On paper, it doesn't sound like the kind of thing that would be my cup of tea: funk metal anyone? I enjoyed the odd Fishbone song, but I was never a true fan - certainly, I never bought any of their albums. Same with Faith No More. And I've always loathed the Red Hot Chili Peppers.

Yet for some reason, when I spin Fly or Die, I just can't stop listening to the damn thing. For one thing, it has massive hooks. I mean humongous. Hooks you could park a couple of Hummers in. Choruses that you have to actively restrain yourself from singing along with. Melodies so infectious that Richard Clarke has a task force to study them.

Furthermore, these guys know something about songcraft. In the 60's they would have been the kingpins of the Brill Building (move over Bacharach and Sedaka). These songs are as tightly constructed as a Swiss timepiece. Verse, chorus, bridge - whatever all those other sections are called - they've got em all. And each section is so inventive that in the hands of a lesser songwriting intellect, it would be a whole song. I can easily imagine Stereolab, for example, spinning a 70+ minute CD out of the melodic material in just one of the songs on Fly or Die.

Some may quibble about the merits of Pharrell's voice. It's true that he wouldn't have a shot on American Idol. But in my book, that's a plus. Give me the earnest amateur over the trained professional any day of the week. If sappy histrionics and larynx gynmnastics are your thing, don't bother with N.E.R.D. But if you think that attitude and personality count for more than octave range, then keep reading, because Pharrell has got the stuff that matters in the vocal department.

And the lyrics! Ohmigod, the lyrics are great. By turns, comical, lustful, political, pointed, thoughtful, empathetic, or just plain weird - they lead your brain on logocentric journeys while your ears bob amongst the soundwaves. The song about the baby that falls in the ocean has got to be the strangest maternal ode ever committed to wax. "I was waiting for YOOOUUUU!" I get chills just thinking about it.

Anyway, I fear my enthusiasm may be getting the better of me. But really, if you like and care about music, you owe it to yourself to go listen to this record. If you're like me, it will kick your ass!

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 13:26 (twenty-one years ago)

that's what i said! this album gets the better of you in a not-totally-overwhelming kind of way. they're just playing around, remember.

― Jay Kid (Jay K), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 13:39 (twenty-one years ago)

That may be true, but their "playing around" is about 100x as focussed as most bands' serious effort.

― o. nate (onate), Wednesday, 7 April 2004 15:29 (twenty-one years ago)

one month passes...

Finally heard this...somewhat surprised that the band The Negro Problem (working similar territory, in a way) don't seem to appear in any reviews. Didn't like it at first, then listened to it in reverse order and liked it a lot. The guitars aren't so hot, but that's not what I'm paying attention to.

― dlp9001, Wednesday, 2 June 2004 01:36 (twenty-one years ago)

six months pass...

do people just hate nerd because they think they should be back where they belong and not using real instruments? cos i think the band on ISO gave the songs energy and punch where before they were robotic and stiff and overtly reliant on typical neptunes module sounds.

the new fly or die is lyrically repulsive but musically i quite like parts of it. a lot of is trashy (in a bad way) FM retro rock though, and pharrell is the worst singer ever.

― titchyschneider (titchyschneider), Thursday, 2 December 2004 20:44 (twenty-one years ago)

lyrically repulsive

wtf? I like the lyrics.

― o. nate (onate), Thursday, 2 December 2004 20:56 (twenty-one years ago)

tity is OTM about everythang but the lyrics, which are spectaculr.

"bigger than fish size."

― djdee2005 (djdee2005), Thursday, 2 December 2004 20:58 (twenty-one years ago)

but he sings that line in i love the way she moves. he reduces pretty chords and a good melody to superficial bullshit about a girl 'witha fat ass and turquoise fin'. pharrell sucks monkey balls. i hate that sleazoid, self-obsessed, greasy, oily, trenchcoat, fraudulent fuxor! esp after he makes greatness like drop it like its hot but then sings all over the same album (snoop's). hes totally self-serving, but worst of all, denies it.

also in the first single from fly or die, he only wants the girl in the lyric to stop seeing the other guy so he can get his sweaty palms all over her.

― titchyschneider (titchyschneider), Thursday, 2 December 2004 21:01 (twenty-one years ago)

"tity is OTM about everythang but the lyrics, which are spectaculr"

yeah.... spectacularly corny!

much as i hate the kneejerk black rocker comparisons which have little foundation in anything other than melanin, pharrell can often be as terrible and corny a lyricist as lenny can.

― titchyschneider (titchyschneider), Thursday, 2 December 2004 21:03 (twenty-one years ago)

three months pass...

Chad Hugo has said that there won't be any more albums from NERD.

― James Mitchell (James Mitchell), Saturday, 19 March 2005 18:37 (twenty-one years ago)

SMART

― charleston charge (chaki), Sunday, 20 March 2005 05:10 (twenty-one years ago)

five years pass...

Isn't Nothing out today?

― Fastnbulbous, Tuesday, 7 September 2010 13:16 (fifteen years ago)

one month passes...

i may just be tired and tippin but this is dope as what

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2c_cStac_gQ

― The Reverend, Monday, 1 November 2010 06:56 (fifteen years ago)

You're right.

― Johnny Fever, Monday, 1 November 2010 07:10 (fifteen years ago)

i like 'perfect defeat'

― j. sargent & lil k3v (deej), Monday, 1 November 2010 07:21 (fifteen years ago)

i'd like to add
"hypnotize u" and "i've seen the light/inside of clouds"

esp. the latter

― surfboard dudes get wiped out, totally, Monday, 1 November 2010 13:33 (fifteen years ago)

haven't heard the album, but maybe i should? that joint just came on the radio last night

― The Reverend, Monday, 1 November 2010 17:29 (fifteen years ago)

its wack but has moments

― deej, Tuesday, 2 November 2010 01:47 (fifteen years ago)

this album is dope. really like it

― surfboard dudes get wiped out, totally, Tuesday, 2 November 2010 21:35 (fifteen years ago)

I need a 10 minute extended version of "Hypnotize U" like, NOW.

― i am not a display name (The Brainwasher), Tuesday, 2 November 2010 21:36 (fifteen years ago)

certain songs just need to be 10 minutes long, you know?

― i am not a display name (The Brainwasher), Tuesday, 2 November 2010 21:38 (fifteen years ago)

The new NERD album is good? What a turn-up, I will listen.

― A brownish area with points (chap), Tuesday, 2 November 2010 22:15 (fifteen years ago)

Probably the best N.E.R.D. album since In Search Of... Pharrell toned it WAY down for this one.

― Evan R, Tuesday, 2 November 2010 22:38 (fifteen years ago)

Hypnotize U is amazing. Listened on headphones in bed and second half didn't seem as strong, but I was pretty into a book I'm finishing so will need to give it more listens. Definitely more enjoyable than the last two.

― Fastnbulbous, Wednesday, 3 November 2010 04:06 (fifteen years ago)

Hypnotize U is amazing.

Yes. Rather enjoying the whole album in fact.

― A brownish area with points (chap), Wednesday, 3 November 2010 13:47 (fifteen years ago)

It's all sounding surprisingly sophisticated and grown-up.

― A brownish area with points (chap), Wednesday, 3 November 2010 13:49 (fifteen years ago)

this album fucking rules.

pharrell is def. on some weirdo, i've been alone for way too long in my room on wikipedia getting stoned thing right now

it's like he just wants to bone every single girl he he's and he's really excited about it but also isn't it crazy that we evolved from fish!?!?

― surfboard dudes get wiped out, totally, Thursday, 4 November 2010 20:29 (fifteen years ago)

he's = sees

― surfboard dudes get wiped out, totally, Thursday, 4 November 2010 20:30 (fifteen years ago)

it's also very earnest and unpretentious. like, they said to each other,

you know what fuck it I love Black Eyed Peas! let's do that and not give a shit what anyone thinks

― surfboard dudes get wiped out, totally, Thursday, 4 November 2010 20:31 (fifteen years ago)

also they jsut tossed this into the middle of it!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tKC3AiQkmuY&feature=player_embedded

― surfboard dudes get wiped out, totally, Thursday, 4 November 2010 20:34 (fifteen years ago)

It's all sounding surprisingly sophisticated and grown-up.

Having said that, there are quite a lot of songs about vaginas.

This may be top 10 of the year material for me, which I really wouldn't have guessed.

― A brownish area with points (chap), Friday, 5 November 2010 14:49 (fifteen years ago)

ok, i'm going to peep this

― kkkvagz (The Reverend), Friday, 5 November 2010 19:39 (fifteen years ago)

I am amazed that Pharrell's falsetto (which I still hate) is not ruining "Hypnotize U" for me

― DJP, Friday, 5 November 2010 20:07 (fifteen years ago)

also lol at the video:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YM-41D89rdc

― DJP, Friday, 5 November 2010 20:09 (fifteen years ago)

His little falsetto kind of sounds like Adam Sandler's!

― 17th Century Catholic Spain (Abbbottt), Friday, 5 November 2010 22:31 (fifteen years ago)

The standard edition of this record (tracks 1-10) is tight as hell. I thought "Hot-n-Fun" was real boring at first but as a closer it is a motherfucker. Don't really know how that reversal happened.

― Brad Nelson (BradNelson), Saturday, 6 November 2010 17:03 (fifteen years ago)

Though I wish "Sacred Temple" were part of the album proper.

― Brad Nelson (BradNelson), Saturday, 6 November 2010 17:11 (fifteen years ago)

Really liking this album a lot, though parts of it make me think of a Tracy Morgan sketch. The bubble bath bit in Perfect Defect kills me...

― dlp9001, Tuesday, 9 November 2010 03:57 (fifteen years ago)

"hypnotize u" is magnificent, kinda hilarious. he looks like adam sandler at least as much as he sounds like him. "nothing on you" is pretty great too. anyone read the review/crucifixion in pitchfork yesterday? where "hypnotize u" = "mortifyingly stupid?" fuckheads.

― naked human hands and a foam rubber head (contenderizer), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 05:19 (fifteen years ago)

hated the last one and that p4k review kinda comforted me in my preconceived idea about this album, but the apparent consensus here is pretty intriguing.

― licorice oratorio (baaderonixx), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 08:37 (fifteen years ago)

this is dope.

― sister soulja boy (The Reverend), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 10:13 (fifteen years ago)

lol at the part where pharrell is chanting something that sounds like "i'm keith sweat! i'm keith sweat"

― sister soulja boy (The Reverend), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 10:14 (fifteen years ago)

i think it's "i came to sweat"

― sister soulja boy (The Reverend), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 10:14 (fifteen years ago)

Love the horn breaks on Help Me.

― A brownish area with points (chap), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 13:56 (fifteen years ago)

Roklan2000
1 day ago

is it me or does pharrell look like the offspring of the other two guys?

― sister soulja boy (The Reverend), Tuesday, 9 November 2010 22:40 (fifteen years ago)

hahahaha

― J0rdan S., Tuesday, 9 November 2010 22:42 (fifteen years ago)

Rawkan2000

― J0rdan S., Tuesday, 9 November 2010 22:42 (fifteen years ago)

two months pass...

"perfect defect" is so so good

― flutes & fucking mexican death horns (The Reverend), Saturday, 15 January 2011 04:44 (fifteen years ago)

― Zsa Zsa Gay Bar (jaymc), Saturday, 15 January 2011 06:14 (fifteen years ago)

I mean, I know, right!

― Zsa Zsa Gay Bar (jaymc), Saturday, 15 January 2011 06:14 (fifteen years ago)

sandwiched on my best-of-01 mix between "yamaha" and "baby can't stop" tbh.

― Zsa Zsa Gay Bar (jaymc), Saturday, 15 January 2011 06:18 (fifteen years ago)

*best-of-10

― Zsa Zsa Gay Bar (jaymc), Saturday, 15 January 2011 06:19 (fifteen years ago)

This album makes me realize I have been missing dope basslines in my life for a while.

― flutes & fucking mexican death horns (The Reverend), Saturday, 15 January 2011 21:07 (fifteen years ago)

deej otm :)

― *gets the power* (deej), Saturday, 15 January 2011 21:09 (fifteen years ago)

six years pass...

i like the new track with Future

― (•̪●) (carne asada), Friday, 1 December 2017 15:58 (eight years ago)

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