Seeing Sounds

So...this is my first time doing a note. It is also my first time reviewing an album.


Introduction
I know a lot of people have been anticipating N*E*R*D's third studio release as I have. I hope you enjoy the review. If it helps you make a decision or simply brightens your day, let me know, and I'll keep the reviews coming.

If you aren't familiar with N*E*R*D or just haven't been playing a lot of attention to their ever-so-unchanging feel-good formula, basically their songs all consist of the following:
1. Verse
2. Chorus
3. Verse
4. Chorus
5. Verse
6. Bridge
7. Chorus

"Time for Some Action!"
This first track incorporates an intro and a great starting track. It starts with Pharrell telling a quirky story about seeing sounds in the same vein as Busta Rhymes did on that old track "Gimme Some More" when he talked about 'bumping his f--king head' as a shorty. After the intro, the actual song is pretty nice. Not too deep...just a way to start you off and introduce you to the 'concept' of seeing sounds. THEY WANT YOU TO MOVE RIGHT FROM THE GET-GO!

"Everybody Nose"
If you have been living under some rock, and you haven't heard 'Everybody Nose', then you are in for a treat. This was the first song to leak from this album, and it is basically a party hit. I mean, it's no surprise that this has become a red, plastic cup anthem, but if you haven't already noticed, it is a song dedicated to cocaine addiction. Not that any of the artist involved do coke themselves. They just have a strange fetish for females that do. ACHOO!
*Amy Winehouse Style

"Windows"
Here is where this album gets impressive. I understand this song may not be your perfect reflection of N*E*R*D's earlier work, y'know. It isnt very heavily based on...well BASS...and it isn't very croony or soulful, but that is sorta the beauty of it. It shows so well the musical influence of this album and the versatility of this band who has flown under the radar despite its frontman being one of the biggest stars in modern music. Oh well... Anyways... this isn't my favorite N*E*R*D track by far...but if Pharrell & N*E*R*D don't remind you of Prince & the Revolution on this one...you must be the one doing drugs!

"Anti Matter"
So...this track is a bit different. You see, i understand that there needed to be a change of pace, but I don't have very much to say about this track. I don't really know what it means. It has good parts...but mostly the annoying redundant chorus. Simply isn't my thing. Props to old friend Missy for making the appearance. BUT WAIT!!!! The bridge saved this song in my opinion. The bridge is dope! So if you pop the cd in and initially don't like the track, watch for the bridge, brother!
*Those of you that have Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder cover your ears, because you may be compelled to break some sh-t!

"Spaz"
You've heard this song.... You probably didn't want to. You probably were sitting at home watching some stupid show that people these days watch (doesn't matter what show...trust me...any and every show applies). Your regularly scheduled program was interrupted for commercials. You were greeted by a brand new Microsoft Zune commercial that played this odd piece of music in the background. You know what happened after that? IT CAME ON AGAIN! Yep...its that song. Don't cry...it'll be over in 3 minutes and 51 seconds. The sad part is, this is a great song...but the reality is, it was ruined by that commercial. You've probably never heard the full song before. You probably didn't even know who sings it, but you hear it in your sleep, don't you? Yeah...you do.

"Yeah You!"
This song is silky smoooooth. This one is for the "In Search of...' era N*E*R*D fans. Even Chad had a little fun on this one playing the sax. Pharrell just keeps proving how good of a song writer he is. His vocals are super-solid on this joint, too.

"Sooner or Later..."
This song is the stand out of this album. This song has the potential to be a number one hit in my mind. This song earns the guys from the other galaxy's pure rock stripes. This song is very much like the piano driven rock ballads we all know. (see Jet's "Look What You've Done" or John Lennon's entire catalog. Yep, I said it, "John LENNON". Pharrell told you he was the black John Lennon.) This is the song of the summer. Hopefully, it will be a proper single.
*Incredible guitar solo. EPIC! One gripe...this should've been the last song on the album.

"Happy"
This song reminds me of a lot of the early 90's, grunge-inspired pop bands. Not too hardcore, but still hard-edged. It is hard to pinpoint one band, because the 90's had so many one hit wonders that would fit. Would it be bold to say the Smashing Pumpkins? I don't know. You decide. The song is dope. Reminds me of the Adventures of Pete & Pete theme song for some reason. Remember that show? Eh...who am I kidding....probably not.

"Kill Joy"
This track is somewhat fast paced. It has a really nice groove. Party stuff. If you are bold enough to dance to it, then please do. I'm sure it would be dope to see live. In fact, I think this is the song Pharrell threw that kid off the stage to. Yep! That's the one.

"Love Bomb"
The album is starting to wrap up. This song starts nice and soft. With the lil' Corrine Bailey Rae guitar crooning...then it it explodes into a feel-good declaration for life's emancipation...then goes back down...(see "War in Me" by KENNA). Love Bomb goes hard!

"You Know What"
At first, I though P was gonna sing "Let Me Love You" by Mario...HAHA! This song is nice, smooth, buttery. This song isn't the most impressive on the album, but it helps bring the mood down towards the end of the disk. It has a bit of a Michael Jackson "Off the Wall" feel to it. It will definately make your head nod.

"Laugh About It"
*GIRLS ON THE FLOOR*....It's the last dance. This track sums up the album nice...nothing too much or overbearing. Just hang loose, have fun and Laugh About It!

Overall
This may just be N*E*R*D's best album. Don't get me wrong, In Search Of... is a classic, and a lot of the tracks on Fly or Die? go hard, but those two albums (three if you count both versions of In Search Of...) were the trial runs for N*E*R*D. You have to understand what this band was formed to do. N*E*R*D was supposed to showcase Pharrell and Chad's musical ability outside of their hip hop and pop contributions. This album their first pure rock album. The sound is less electronically inspired, therefore if you closed you eyes you could not only see sounds, but not see the Neptunes and some other guy that no one cares about. You will see a legitimate rock band...that happens to consist of the Neptunes...and that other guy.

Bottom Line: 8.75/10

Peace and Love People,
Jay B.