N*E*R*D Album: “In Search Of... [Clean]”

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.

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!!!!

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.

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.

"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