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N.E.R.D., 'Seeing Sounds'

The Neptunes’ electro-funk band is back—and playing real instruments!

By Scott Thill

Special to Metromix
June 9, 2008

Critic's Rating:

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Backstory: Acclaimed pop production duo the Neptunes conceived of the side project N.E.R.D. around the turn of the century, when their dance tracks for artists like Britney, Busta and more were ruling top 40 radio. After their 2002 N.E.R.D. debut "In Search Of…" and 2003 follow-up "Fly or Die" garnered popular and critical crossover, members Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams and Shay Haley were inspired to learn non-electronic instruments like drums and guitar, laying the foundation for this third effort.

Why you should care: Dance music is mostly stupid fun, which is the point, and N.E.R.D. has the most fun of anyone. Maybe it's because the Neptunes’ self-worth is in the neighborhood of $150 million, or because they traffic in 21st century electro-funk, but they attract partiers like flies. And yeah, N.E.R.D. is allegedly more of a rock outfit, but not really. From the crunked-up cocaine anthem "Everyone Nose" to the pop-industrial grind of "Spaz," Hugo, Williams and Haley are all about the clubs rather than the stadiums.

Verdict: As a stack of dance tracks, N.E.R.D.'s third is another sexualized notch on the Neptunes' belt. The horny opener "Time for Some Action" matches a breathless vocal with an addictive thumper of a backbeat, and the creepy "Windows" has a sense of humor that hasn't been seen since Moloko's "Killa Bunnies." Similarly, the anti-hater satire "Antimatter" features one of the most hilarious backing tracks in dance music history, even though its narrative of harassed playboys gets tired after a few listens. But, dude, it's N.E.R.D. For all the band’s lofty talk of souls and synesthesia, they're out to get laid and get paid. Mission accomplished.

X-Factor: Cross-promotion alert! Converse is conveniently releasing an N.E.R.D.-produced track on the same day as “Seeing Sounds,” a collab with the Strokes’ Julian Casablancas and Santogold called “My Drive Thru.” Hm…which to buy, new kicks or the new N.E.R.D. album?

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