NBrid

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Written by: BoneStormer

Artist: N.E.R.D.
Album Title: In Search Of...
Date of Release: March 12, 2002 (US version)
Parental Advisory: Explicit Lyrics


"I said I was a N.E.R.D., but I ain't a Punk." Feels odd to write about a "hip-hop" album here on NBrid where often it seems anything that's not punk is looked down upon. There are more then a few here that feel rap sucks just because it rhymes with "crap". Well, if you ask me there is a reason why "punk" rhymes with "junk"... Ok, I like punk, I'm just not as closed minded as some around here.

In order to open a few minds, let's check out the long delayed release from N.E.R.D. - In Search Of... (ISO)

N.E.R.D. is comprised of the infamous producing duo of Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams, aka The Neptunes, along with Shae. What have they done? Pick a song from any almost any radio station and you'll have found one. Some of their credits include Mystikal, Noreaga, Busta Rhymes, Jay-Z, their much acclaimed work on Kelis's debut album Kaleidoscope (and who appears on ISO), No Doubt... They also sadly have the likes of the Backstreet Boys and Britney Spears to their credit, but we'll try and pretend they don't. Listening to In Search Of for 10 seconds and you'll quickly forget this.

ISO was supposed to come out last year, but it was only released overseas. It seems N.E.R.D. was unhappy with the results and wanted to re-record certain tracks with live instruments. Was it worth the wait? In short, yes and no. Before you start thinking that this album 'sucks' (which couldn't be further from the truth), the reason is because after having listened to both versions, I just don't think there was a huge improvement. I never would have guessed this because normally I love hip-hop groups that implement live instruments, like for example The Roots. At times it's not even all that different. Some songs I like much better now (for example, Stay Together), but for some I still prefer the original version. Rock Star had probably the biggest change, yet each version still has something to offer. That all said, and it took some time, but the new version of this album did grow on me to where I now definitely like it more. But then again, you can't go wrong with either version really.

"I'm a dirty dog... I'm an outlaw, quick on the draw, something you never seen before, and I dare the mother fucker to come in my face." ISO opens with the hard-hitting, in yo' face Lapdance. Right away you realize this ain't no stinkin' Britney Spears crap-o-thon. Oh no (get it?). It is "something you never [heard] before." In fact, it is more then just a "rap" or hip-hop album, it has a rough "rock" edge. Certainly a buzz worthy track. After this it dives into Things Are Getting Better. All I can say is the opening beat is tight as hell. Often known for their syncopated rhythms on other albums, they top them all here. Another one of my favorites is Truth or Dare. One of the "darker" sounding tracks on the album, it screams don't [mess] with us! (But not nearly as much as another song I'll get to later.) I should note that this track features Kelis and Pusha T (now of Clipse fame).

I also find myself really liking Stay Together. It has this march-like snare drum beat throughout. A nice happy tune to help offset the more evil tracks and give this disc more variety. I even really like the psychedelic Bobby James and its overlaid acoustic guitars, or the slower Run to the Sun. Not everything is so great though. Stay away from Brains. It starts off as a seemingly pretty cool track, but when it gets to the chorus: Ouch. "Do I really even love you, or do I really love your bbbbrrrraaaaiiinnnsss. Bbbbbbrrrrraaaiiiinnnnnssss." With "brains" said in the most zombie-esque way as possible. I know we all love to eat delicious brains now and then, but this is rediculous. How ever great the beats are on this disc, some of the lyrics are well, odd. Some are great, some are hilarious, but there are a few lines that you just have to wonder, WTF?

Take what is possibly the best track on the CD (or any other in fact): Rock Star. This song in short is "bad ass". Ever feel the need to fight? Turn this up and you'll get all the more pissed off. Nothing worse then posers, well for them, "IT'S ALMOST OVER NOW!" Great beats, tough lyrics, but then, "Better call your boys cause I'm coming... Guess you haven't heard we swallow guys." In the context of the song it's obvious what they mean, but I think you can see the problem. Still, there are a ton of great lines from this one song: "Fucking posers... it's almost over now!" "You can't be me, I'm a rock star. I'm rhyming on the top of a cop car." "It's too damn late to apologize!"

I have to give a shout-out to torkWORLD for getting me hooked on this album, especially on to Rock Star. Tork listens to a lot of crap (coughnsynccough), but this is at the opposite end of the music spectrum. In both terms of how it sounds and it terms of quality (for the slow minded out there, NSYNC SUCKS!!!). If you like hip-hop, or are open minded to many genres of music, get this album! It itself comprises a number of different genres and sounds. When Trent Reznor does a remix of Lapdance for their website, even the goths might like it. In fact, it's misleading to even call this a "rap" album, but it's certainly not Rock or even R&B. Let's hope we get another N.E.R.D. album someday inbetween their Neptune ventures. For now, just enjoy In Search Of.


"Noone Ever Really dies, do you believe that? Well if not, for you, IT'S ALMOST OVER NOW!"


Rating: 4.5 (out of 5)