Customer Reviews

In Search of

5 star:		(109)
4 star:		(40)
3 star:		(10)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(10)

 

 

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.

What can one say about super producers the Neptunes that already hasn't been said. They are nearly untouchable when it comes to beats, thats why everyone wants them.I would first like to mention that if your a neptunes fan then the import album is for you. The beats are awesome and it's a complete hip hop album that people will enjoy. The U.S. version is different not in a good or bad way. It just sounds like to different groups. With the U.S album, they sound like a group with a fresh new sound that combines rock riffs with hip-hop lyrics and make it work. They sould like artists to watch out for. Either way both albums are awesome and a must have.If your looking for something fresh and different pick up the U.S. version. But if your into the Neptunes sound, spend a little extra and buy the import. You won't be dissapointed.

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!

Bob Dylan had Blonde on Blonde and Stevie Wonder had Songs in the Key of Life. N.E.R.D has In Search Of...

Like other reviewers have said and I must repeat it again, "Every track on this album is worth listening to." Many artists have 3 Songs that are worth listening to over and over but with this album you will find yourself listening from start to finish with out the need to skip tracks.

Look. This album blows both of Kanye's albums out of the water and it's refreshing to see a team of musicians who let their music do the talking. On the other hand you have a Talented (he is talented) Clown named Kanye West who has to rely on telling everybody how good he thinks he is by trying to steal other Producer's beats (read the Scratch Magazine interview where Kanye brags about how he tried to steal Dr. Dre's beats) out of the studio and by crying when he doesn't win at the AMA's.

Whether you're a hard-core hip hop fan or just someone who appreciates a perfect album without fillers and Alvin and the Chipmunks vocals, you will love this album without a doubt. Hurry. The stores are still open so you better rush out and buy this needle of an album in that haystack of mediocre garbage that's out there. 5 STARS ALL THE WAY!!!!

Like a lot of Neptunes fans, I've been chomping at the bit waiting for this album to come out. They've been responsible for so much great music over the last few years. Even my friends who don't like rap smile when Pharrell sings "I'm a hustler baby" on Jay Z's "I Just Wanna Love Ya." It is also quite obvious, however, that they've been spreading themselves too thin in terms of their production for other people. Sometimes you get the feeling that when a big name artist comes calling they are quite comfortable with dusting off an unused beat and cashing the check (compare the Neptunes-by-numbers production on the admittedly good Fabolous song "Holla Back" to their inspired work on Mystikal's "Bouncin' Back"). When the original non-live instrument version of this album come out in Europe a few months back I got my hands on a copy of it. I loved it but was a little underwhelmed. The songs were uniformly strong but the Neptunes seemed to be using the same template that has defined their sound for years. Obviously feeling the same way, they went back to the drawing board. The new version is all live instruments and stronger vocal lines. While "Lap Dance" and "Truth Or Dare" are just as great as they were the first time, more laid back tracks like "Bobby James" and "Am I High" now really shine. Moreover, while I would have rated the original a four star effort, the vast improvement of "Baby Doll" (which had struck me a filler on the first version) now makes this album damn near perfect. They also wisely removed the stupid skits and the unnecessary orgasmic moaning from "Tape You." The new version of "In Search Of..." surpasses my very high expectations. I highly recommend this album. Its not really hip hop at all. Its much closer to what Beck was trying to go for on "Midnight Vultures" but was only partially successful in achieving. Think Steely Dan with a Prince fixation. I know comparisons are pretty much always flawed but that's the best I can do. Get this album. You'll thank me.

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.

N.E.R.D. AKA The Neptunes drop their debut album In Search Of. After putting in work on countless projects and collaborating with the likes of Britney Spears, Mystikal, Ludacris, SWV, Noreaga, Kelis, Krayzie Bone, Beenie Man, Foxy Brown, Usher, Jay-Z, Busta Rhymez , Ray-J, Phillys Most Wanted, Fabolous etc. etc. it was due time for their album. If you are up on their singles you will be very surprised at the sound of the album. It is nothing like what you hear on the radio, and depending on your tastes that could be either good or bad. Me being an open-minded music lover, I find this album to be somewhat entertaining. The live instrumentation really does the songs justice and the cd quality is excellent; the beats are crystal clear and easy to hear. The instruments give the beats extra dimension and layers which makes them some great beats to listen to at anytime.

Their music is very different; a mix between Rock, Hip Hop, country, Funk, and the Blues, the Neptunes craft an excellent piece of work. For all the many people who are just about sick and tired of the generic Neptunes beat, this cd is for you. They show their versatility as producers and make each track distinct. Although Im not too fond of Pharell Williams singing or rhyming, they can almost be completely forgotten while engulfed in the beat. But as another reviewer has already mentioned the lyrics do have deeper meaning if you listen to them consciously and will undoubtedly be satisfied with the types of revelations the cd has to offer.

The standout songs include the single LapDance released about two years ago which features Vita, Things are Getting Better- which can only be described as funky, Truth Or Dare feat. Kelis, Tape You- a smooth sex song, Brain- every man can relate to, Am I High, Run To The Sun, Am I High, heck all the songs are tight. The only problem I have is that there is a little too much Rock influence, but that is only a problem for me because I dont like Rock. I also especially like how the beat changes when the chorus comes on. This just gives the album the extra punch that is needed in todays industry. The bottom line is that Constantly changing and layered beats provide entertaining listens. This cd is excellent from beginning to end. While not much on the first couple of listens, keep it in the cd player. Perseverance is the key to the cd and once you catch the vibe and the groove you will definitely like it. While not as good as Kelis Kaleidoscope, this Neptunes project is well worth the money that you spend on it. I recommend it.

The Neptunes are two of the most solid producers to have their beats heard since 2000 and totally deserved the title of `Producers Of The Year - 2003'. Everyone's heard the heat they lace, on tracks from Jay-Z, Mystikal, Justin Timberlake, Clipse and even Britney Spears. As we look back at Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams history before hitting really big, we find one of their side hustles, the rock/rap band - with guest Shae - called N*E*R*D aka No One Ever Really Dies. In 2001 the band dropped their debut `In Search Of...' from Virgin Records America, Inc., backed with the singles `Lapdance', `Provider' and `Rock Star'.

One of the biggest pluses to the album is the typical Neptunes feel you get to the album - all the material is written by Pharrell and Chad, all instruments are arranged by them but are played by Star Trak affliates Spymob. With this feel, you get the Star Trak feel, made from guest appearences by Clipse's Pusha T and Malice, Lee Harvery, Kelis and Spymob. But despite these advantages delievered by the super producers, the album has one major flaw. It takes ages to get into. You can play the singles to death and hate the rest of the album very easily, and it's almost impossible to listen to straight through. Almost impossible. 2001 was a long time ago as far as the game is concerned, and in a drout in 2004 N*E*R*D was the rebound group and `In Search Of...' the rebound album. It was banging! It took three years to get into but it was well worth the wait - it's bound to recieve major play time in the CD player of anyone who had the sence to by it.

`Lapdance' featuring Lee Harvery and Muder Inc.'s Vita - the first single - was easy to listen to first time, every other time and is an awesome open to the album. The Neptune's have never been famous for clean or classy lyrics and this song is a good example of that. It's also pure fire, though, for three minutes. `Things Are Getting Better' is an `easy-to-listen-to' style track and can be enjoyed after so many listens. A bit off when you first buy the album but it's a solid second track. `Provider', to, - another of the singles - is addictive. Pure heat from start to almost the finish. `Rock Star (Nevins Classic Club Blaster)' was something the album could've survived without and really ruins what was an amazing album. A word of advice - turn it off after track twelve and save seven or eight minutes of your life.

Other hot joints are `Run To The Sun', `Am I High' featuring Malice, `Stay Toghether' and `Bobby James'. On first listen, `Bobby James' is possibly one of the few tracks worth listening to. The only if you're not counting singles. The album is hot and a solid listen from start to finish, but you really have to work at it and get into it. Also, don't pick this up expecting to hear the same type of beats you would hear on any other Neptunes backed track. N*E*R*D and Spymob manage to go through rock to hip hop to soul to funk and back with utter listening pleasure, through a short hour. This is because the majority of the beats are rock. Good rock with a mjor hip hop feel and something even a real hardcore rap fan can bounce to.

In conclusion, N*E*R*D drop a hot debut album in the form of `In Search Of...', which is well worth a listen and will remain a regular play in your CD collection. If you're looking for newer N*E*R*D material, check their 2004 follow up `Fly Or Die'. If you're looking for more typical Pharrell and Chad material, check their 2003 compilation `The Neptunes Presents ... Clones'. `In Search Of...' could never alone satisfy you're N*E*R*D search - it's too hot once you get into it. There's a reason Pharrel and Chad are on top - `In Search Of...' is an amazing example of this.

I don't even know where to begin in reviewing this album. I have listened to it countless times already, and I've never grown tired of it. I will definitely admit that when a friend of mine first lent it to me, I was not instantly hooked as many people say they were. But I let it play a few times, and in less than a day I couldn't stop listening to it.

I started liking N.E.R.D. after developing a strong love for bands like Jamiroquai and AIR--bands that have always proven themselves to be fearless, and unafraid to experiment with new and different sounds regardless of what the reaction of their listeners might be; ultimately that is what I have grown to appreciate N.E.R.D. for the most. Sure, their lyrics aren't always as profound as the world's greatest poets, but that is the point. As they say themselves on their website (www.n-e-r-d.com), this is an expression of their lives and their personal experiences as translated through music. Whether they felt like lashing out on the government, professing their love to a girl, being bold and daring at a club, recovering from a hangover, or watching two girls make out--it's all in here.

The best advice I could give to anyone reading this, besides emploring you to buy this CD without hesitation, is to give it several CAREFUL listens before you ask yourself what you think. With each spin, you will hear things you didn't hear before: syncopated bells carefully placed at certain points in a song, subtle improvised piano playing in the background, thick bass playing that bubbles up intermittently throughout certain tracks, spacy sound effects that speak in response to the vocals, and countless other details. The more your ears adapt to the innovative, carefully orchestrated Neptune sounds, the more the CD will become your own. After really experiencing this album for all that it is, N.E.R.D. has become one of my favorite bands of all time.

Specific tracks to look out for: "Things Are Getting Better," "Run to the Sun," "Baby Doll, "Am I High," as well as the most popular single, "Lapdance."

If you like this album, look out for their sophomore project, Fly or Die, due out in stores on March 23, 2004. Their first single off of this album titled "She Wants to Move" is already out.

"In Search Of..." is simply an ill album. There is simply no other way to put it. Pharrell and Chad Hugo never cease to amaze you with those amazing guitar riffs, heart-thumping baselines and giddy, geeky lyrics. The album boasts several single-worthy tracks and those obscure, but nevertheless, talented guest appearances by artists such as Lee Harvey & Vita (on "Lapdance"), Kelis & Pusha-T of the Clipse ("Truth or Dare"), and on the stellar questioning track, "Am I High," Malice of the Clipse. N.E.R.D.'s debut, "In Search Of..." is certainly a treat for all those hardcore Neptune fans.

Lapdance (featuring Lee Harvey & Vita) - 5/5
Things Are Getting Better - 4/5
Brain - 5/5
Provider - 3/5
Truth or Dare (featuring Kelis & Pusha-T) - 4/5
Tape You - 5/5 (ONE OF MY FAVORITES!)
Run To The Sun - 4/5
Baby Doll - 4/5
Am I High (featuring Malice) - 5/5
Rock Star - 5/5
Bobby James - 4/5
Stay Together - 4/5