In Search Of...

by N.E.R.D

Overview

N.E.R.D. are nothing if they're not clever, and they brilliantly constructed a back-story to accompany their debut album, In Search Of... As every rock critic in the Western world has said in his review of the album, they originally released the record in Europe, then decided it was crap, withdrew it, re-recorded it with a live band, and then released it worldwide. Now this story is probably true -- as the first album by the band driven by the powerhouse production team the Neptunes (though these are not interchangeable terms, as they went to great lengths to make clear in the promo interviews), there was a lot riding on this record, so it had better be right -- but it certainly helped them get valuable press, elevating this record to a near-event level. So, is In Search Of... worth the hoopla? Well, pretty much. Musically, it's a lively affair, breaking free of the signature approximated-Prince beats, as they borrow heavily from classic soul, breakbeat aesthetics, and postmodern alt-culture, tying it together with live beats. It pretty much deliberately does everything that most modern rap does not do, and it's hard not to embrace it for that very fact. Alas, there are flaws, mainly in the raps, which are hardly as nimble as the music; actually, they're rather clumsy and embarrassing, especially since they attempt to cover "socially relevant" issues (i.e., politicians are equated with strippers). Choruses that croon that "She needs me/Because I'm the sh*t" are hard to stomach, no matter how supple the music is (or how ironic the delivery), but if you can ignore that, In Search Of... does provide genuine musical thrills. Although, be forewarned -- it's easy to overrate this record simply because it deviates from the norm at a time when nobody deviates from the norm or has deviated from the norm in years. With better lyrics and a little less smirking hipsterism, it could have been the record it was intended to be, but as it stands, it's still a pretty terrific listen and one of the most adventurous, intriguing hip-hop albums in a long, long time. ~ Stephen Thomas Erlewine

Product Details

Release Date:	04/29/2014
Label:	Universal
UPC:	0602537792825
Rank:	14482

Tracks

Disc 1

1. Lapdance
2. Things Are Getting Better
3. Brain
4. Run to the Sun
5. Provider
6. Truth or Dare
7. Tape You

Disc 2

8. Run to the Sun
9. Baby Doll
10. Am I High
11. Rock Star
12. Bobby James
13. Stay Together

Album Credits

Performance Credits

N.E.R.D   Primary Artist
Pusha T   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Kelis   Primary Artist,Guest Artist,Vocals,Featured Artist
Malice   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Vita   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Lee Harvey   Primary Artist,Featured Artist
Spymob   Guest Artist,Vocals (Background)
Chad Hugo   Multi Instruments
Tammy Lucas   Vocals,Vocals (Background)
John Ostby   Piano,Vocals
Pharrell Williams   Vocals,Multi Instruments
Eric Fawcett   Drums,Vocals
Brent Paschke   Guitar
Terrar   Vocals
Shay Haley   Vocals

Technical Credits

The Neptunes   Producer
Serban Ghenea   Mixing
Chad Hugo   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Executive Producer
Pharrell Williams   Arranger,Composer,Producer,Executive Producer
Brian Garten   Engineer
Spymob   Instrumentation
Gene Thornton   Composer
Rob Walker   Executive Producer
Jimmy Douglass   Mixing
Terry Richardson   Photography
Herb Powers   Mastering
Patrick Moxey   A&R
Justin Clark   Design,Art Direction
Andrew Coleman   Engineer
Keith Wood   A&R
Terrence Thornton   Composer