In Search Of...

This is not the original recording of the album. This is infact the version recorded with Spymob doing live instrumentation. The original version of the album wasn't released in America, but in Europe. It featured more of the synth-heavy sound that the Neptunes were known for. That version of the album was set to come out in the states back in 2001, but was pushed back and re-recorded. That re-recorded version is what is available here. So to those of you ordering this, do not be fulled into thinking you're finding the original verion for a good price, cause it's not that. The original version is rare nowadays, there is a listing for it on amazon though. The two copies available go for no less than $56...unfortunately.

The three guys in N.E.R.D. are the future of mankind, and "In Search Of..." is the future of music, where rawk meets rap meets muzak meets Fisher Price and it's alllll good. N.E.R.D. makes the billion dollar babies on VH-1 (Usher, etc.) look and sound as boring as they really are. This album flips fusion downside up. Tacky orchestrals straight outta James Bond get hysterically pumped ("Truth or Dare"), tinkly FM lite becomes a pornographer's romantic come on ("Tape You"), and "Rock Star" is garage metal stomp like the big hair boyz wished they could do it. Endlessly listenable awesome record...crushworthy...

I played this CD through several times a day for about two months when I first bought it. Virtually every song is great, especially Lapdance, Brain, Truth or Dare, Am I High and Rock Star. Hard driving hybrid of rap and punk, but hugely danceable, very funky. Lyrics are angry but quite intelligent. As a middleclass white guy pushing 40, I could totally relate to most of what they were talking about, unlike the other stuff that typifies most rap. Even preaches against drugs in a couple of songs, mom and dad will be happy to note. Highly recommended.

For the less aware. THIS is one of the greatest modern hip hop/funk/r&b albums EVER PRODUCED!! Listen, and ride...

Wish I had bought this sooner than I did, but really great, crafted beats and sounds with mostly guest rappers. Something for audio nerds, meets the standard set by the Bomb Squad.

This album along with "Fly or Die" are so awesome and underrated. It's a shame that Pharrell only got attention after doing music for a kid's movie and being a judge on TV.

Good album but was listed as a gatefold and a gatefold was NOT received

Definitely a classic and something you can listen all the way through without skipping a song. I'm not going to review this like an album critic, but it is definitely full of catchy music and it will never go old.