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30 of 31 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
GRADE: A+, April 15, 2002
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.
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by N.E.R.D. 
