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20 of 26 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
Fly or Die. Fly or Die? Definitely Fly., 28 Mar 2004
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"N.E.R.D stands for No One Ever Really Dies. N.E.R.D is not The Neptunes. N.E.R.D is the offspring of the Neptunes id, a fly-or-die, thrash-around."
Pharrell Williams - one third of the group called N.E.R.D.A short excerpt from a conversation with a friend:
Me: Who's that guy that features on Justin Timberlake's track Senorita?
My friend: Pharrell Williams
Me: Is he a solo artist?
My friend: Not really, he is a member of a couple of groups, one called The Neptunes and the other N.E.R.D
Me: Who are The Neptunes?
My friend: Chad Hugo and Pharrell Williams - they were old high school friends.
Me: Who are nerd?
My Friend: Not nerd. N, E, R, D. N.E.R.D are Chad Hugo, Pharrell Williams and Shay Thornton - another of their high school friends.
Me: Oh...(while scratching my head) As I mentioned above, I first heard of Pharrell Williams when he featured on a track with Justin Timberlake. I was impressed by both Pharrell's vocals and the fact that he had produced not only a few of Mr JT's tracks but also tracks and albums for other artists (including a young lady called Britney Spears!) under the guise of a group called the Neptunes consisting of him and his long-time friend Chad Hugo. I am always curious what the producers of other peoples music have to say with their own music (e.g. like Kenny Edmonds aka Babyface - the producer of soul) but I still wavered as to whether this warranted me forking-out hard cash for their album. But, on hearing their first single from the album, 'She Wants To Move'... I hesitated no longer. Amazon. Add To Basket. Proceed To Checkout. Confirm. Your order has been dispatched. As soon as the album, 'Fly or Die', arrived through the post I placed it straight into my CD player. The first thing I noticed were the guitars. The sounds of the guitars on this album are amazing. Listening to some of the tracks, you could be forgiven for thinking you are listening to the riffs of the guitar-great, Jimi Hendrix. But, guess what? Your instincts would be right...sort of... because guess who appears on Track 11- 'The Way She Dances'? Lenny Kravitz, an unashamedly self-confessed Jimi Hendrix-influenced artist if ever there was one! However, the instruments are not the only things that impressed me on this album. Pharrell's vocals (my initial introduction to N.E.R.D) did not disappoint - they were...sorry...ARE... superb! After having listened to the album once, I was bowled over. I just played it again straight away. One track that stood out for me in particular was the addictively catchy 'Drill Sergeant' (track 8). Very catchy (as in 'Blur's Song 2'-catchy)! But, I am sure that if you play the other songs long enough they will soon be playing in your head just as much. A word to the wise, when Track 12 finishes... wait. In fact, wait for exactly 4minutes 16seconds into the song... yes, folks... a hidden track. And, what a track, in fact anthem is more accurate a description. Absolutely fantastic. When I listen to any of the tracks afterwards I definitely feel a lot more upbeat and optimistic which on closer inspection of the album is not surprising what with the first track called 'Don't Worry About It', another track (track 7) called 'Wonderful Place', and with lyrics such as: 'Stuff (...or a word to that effect!) happens. Just blow it off'. This is definitely an album that does not want you to waste time worrying about life! The tracks on this album are not unlike the tracks The Neptunes produce - cool, catchy, and clever tunes that are sure to brighten up any day...
Highly Recommended. Duration: 54minutes 57seconds
Number: 12 Tracks (11 and 1 hidden)
PS Check out the website (www.n-e-r-d.com). Pharrel Williams' ethos behind the band in the biography section is nothing short of inspiring. You'll get a lot more info about the band and their music than I can cram in here!
Whatever album you decide to buy. I hope it is the right one for you.
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