Ashley then asked me to talk about NERD, and what I think of their overall sound. First a little background. Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo and Shay Haley are the members and they make a very different blend of hip hop and rock and pop and funk and everything under creation. These dudes are serious about their music. Everyone at this stage should recognize Pharrell as the super producer he is - but he also can lay down a tune when called upon as well. NERD stands for No one Ever Really Dies - not sure where they got that from - but that's what they came up with. This album dropped in 2002 and has seen gold status success. It was the first album by NERD - but not the last. Their fourth studio recording is due out in November of this year. They were originally signed with Virgin records - but left following their 2nd studio record. The Neptunes started their own label Star Trak to which their current releases come out. Star Trak's biggest acts today are Clipse and these guys. Robin Thicke is in there too - his albums are solid sellers. Anyways - I love NERD. I love the Neptunes, I love Pharrell and I love Clipse. Basically anything Pharrell touches is gold to me. This was one of my favorite college albums - just because it was so different. I still toss 'Rock Star' on a lot to pump me up. There are 100 different versions of that track out there - and they're all great. These guys are always making different sorts of music and it comes out so fresh and so fun. I can't wait until the new ones drops - as I'm sure it'll equate to me listening to something for a good long time. You NEED to check these guys out today. It's very worth your while - no matter what music you enjoy. Thanks again Ashley!!
TRACK LISTING:
1. Lapdance
2. Things Are Getting Better
3. Brain
4. Provider
5. Truth or Dare
6. Tape You
7. Run to the Sun
8. Baby Doll
9. Am I High
10. Rock Star
11. Bobby James
12. Stay Together
Listen To Samples
Top 3 Tracks:
1. Rock Star
2. Stay Together
3. Lapdance
FINAL RATING:
4 out of 5 stars
No problem at all.
ReplyDeleteI'm pretty much in the same regards. Pharrell could make a song about the telephone and it would still come out fresh. 'In Search Of' was also my first taste of NERD and I've been on board ever since. Some mainstream music became boring to me around late 07' early 08', and that's when NERD's sound hit me the hardest. All that they created yeas before then suddenly sounded brand new, refreshing and still does. I loved going to their site, playing the skateboard game, and then listening to the tracks, really help me to unwind after school.
I could be thinking of Fly Or Die, but what did you like that sort of hidden track 'Finding My Way'?
I think bands like theirs are perfect. Each item produced is so different, I fully expect each record to be another experiment. By having zero expectations in terms of sound, every album sounds new and creative. I love that. Never visited their web page, I'll have to do that sometime.
ReplyDeleteNot sure I can come up with that off the top of my head. I'll check out that hidden track sometime soon.
Thanks for the comment. Hadn't heard from you in a few days, was worried I lost ya!
not at all lost. I'd been thinking about this blog on my down time. I personally feel its THE if not ONE OF THE most relevant blogs I've read in a while now.
ReplyDeletePost so many reviews, opinions, and suggestions each month, consistently at that. I would say 'how do you do it?' but if your anything like me I have an idea :)
I never in a million years thought it would turn into this. When I started back in February, I thought it'd last a couple months max.
ReplyDeleteSome days it's hard just because I'm busy or whatever, but knowing there are a variety of people that read - it makes it all worth while.
i think this is the review i most agree with you on in... probably since kedollarsignha or the blue album. i used to have this kicked NIN-like (perhaps it actually was NIN) remix of lapdance. until my HP died.
ReplyDeletealso, when you're 'stealing' the car of a certain former sub shop coworker with another friend at 5 am to drive across steven's point to mc d's to get some hashbrowns because sub shop coworker is... well she's napping from the night that hasn't quite ended yet... this album is the best soundtrack.
that's supposed to say 'kick ass NIN-like' but i fail at typing today.
ReplyDeleteand also, the neptunes could produce the sound of a marble in a tin can and it would sound amazing and fresh.
Great album, great artist. It seems we now have three people in agreement that whatever they do - it's amazing. I don't think that'll change anytime soon.
ReplyDeleteI look at producers like Swizz Beatz and everything he does is exactly the same. Not with Pharrell though - pure gold.