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.

Intresting
The Neptune's are easily one of the most prestigous production teams in the history of hip hop. They produced platinum smash after platinum smash for artists like: Noreaga, Jay-Z, Angie Martinez, Mystical, Backstreet Boys, Britney Spears, Limp Bizkit and numerous other high profile acts. An album from the trio was something that was expected to follow up their success as producers. The album is actually a major suprise, because suprisingly its not that bad.

The album's stand out songs are "Things are Getting Better", and "Bobby James", the latter of the two being the album's best track with highly mature lyrics and realistic problems. "Stay Together" is also very mature, and other amazing songs include the singles "Lapdance" & "Rock Star", as well as "Run to the Sun", "BabyDoll", "Provider" & "Am I High". Its very futuristic, unique and original which gives the album one star on its own.

Overall this is a very solid effort and SO MUCH MORE then I ever expected from these young men, and after listening I feel pretty bad for doubting them. Anyway this is a great first effort and for those who appreciate unique music should definetly pick this one up because its full of original music with live instruments. Just like most "nerds" they are at the top of their class.

Amazing
You guys this CD is seriously good. They just know what to do. Every song on this CD is so creative and different. Pick this up if you want to hear something that is different, I promise you won't be disappointed.
Lapdance - 5/5 - really awesome, was my favorite for a while i like the beat
Things Are Getting Better - 4/5 - cute
Brain - 5/5 - one of my favorites on this CD, love the lyrics and its something different
Provider - 3/5 - haven't listened to this one that much its alright
Truth or Dare - 4.5/5 - pretty good I like kelis's voice in this it sounds good
Tape You - 5/5 - One of my favorites, LOVE this beat! i love this song so much its so awesome and i LOOOVE the words!
Run To The Sun - 3.5/5 - haven't listened to it that much, its a little slower than the other songs but its still a nice beat
Baby Doll - 4/5 - Just started listening to this one recently, i love the lyrics
Am I High - 3/5 - haven't listened to this one that much either, but i still like it
Rock star - 5/5 - LOVE this song, really fast dancey beat, nice
Bobby James - 3/5 - Haven't listened to this one that much but yea good
Stay Together - 3.5/5 - i like this song
All in all i love this CD, one of the best CD's I have ever heard and I am NOT just saying that. Nerd is competely original and creative unlike anything I have ever heard.. pick up this album you won't regret it

NERD's 2nd Album Fly or Die
On March 23th 2004...NERD's 2nd album "Fly or Die " hits stores...go to www.n-e-r-d.com to listen to their future hit "She Wants to Move"

Pharrell, stop singing.
If you enjoy an overwhelming ego ranting about how hot he is and how many girls he bangs and etc., then you'll enjoy this. You'll also appreciate it if you have no sense of quality music whatsoever. You 5-star reviewers must be smokin' something.
The electro-powered grooves of the writing-production team the Neptunes have abetted fine-to-great tracks by everyone from Jay-Z and Ol' Dirty Bastard to Britney Spears. On their debut as performers, they display an irresistible knack for hooky tracks rooted in the eclectic listening habits they developed while growing up in the multiracial Virginia Beach, Virginia, neighborhoods they still call home. Fusing album rock and rap more forcefully and convincingly than Kid Rock or Durst-style aggro bands (the latter of whom they seem to lampoon on "Rock Star"), N.E.R.D. whip up a creamy yet slammin' mix. Main men Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo coax apropos guest shots from Kelis (the get-your-freak-on "Truth or Dare," the sexiest thing here aside from the ménage-a-wow plea "Tape You") and a handful of up-and-coming members. The live instrumentation that replaces the machine-tooled tracks of an earlier import version of In Search Of retains the tunes' syncopation while rendering it palatable for less eclectic rock fans. While not a commercial blockbuster on the order of many of their clients' discs, this venture is nonetheless one of 2002's standout releases. --Rickey Wright
Terrific debut from electronic/hip hop group N.E.R.D. (which stands for No One Ever Really Dies and is a side project for The Neptunes) whose single 'Lapdance' feat. Lee Harvey, Vita & Kelis. 2001.
Special Limited Edition is Completely Different Than the Us Version. This Version Includes the Electronic Instruments that were Eschewed in Favour of a Live Band and Live Musicians for the USA Edition. The Alter Ego of the Hottest Producers in Pop Today,the Neptunes, N.e.r.d. Specialize in Fusing Pop, R&b, Hip Hop and Funk Into a Blend that Sounds Completely Freshto the Ear and Irresistable to the Heart. Add a Genuine Sense of Humour to it all and You have the Makings of an Enduring Pop Classic.