N.E.R.D.
In Search Of...

The N.E.R.D. are one of the most beautiful and innovative realities of the first decade of the 2000s, a time when there were very few musical novelties. The group led by Pharrell Williams (one of the best producers currently available) along with the equally talented Chad Hugo and Spymob are making their recording debut here. Their best album will probably be the second one, but in this one (less Funk and more electronic compared to the subsequent "Fly or Die") the quality is undeniable:

This album is a mix of Hip-Hop, Electronic, Funk, and Black Music.

Most likely this album is not for Rock purists (also because we are not talking about rock here), but if you listen to it without prejudice (perhaps forgetting that the singer is that dandy playboy Pharrell), then you might also appreciate it.

The lead singles of the album are truly very good: starting with "Lapdance" which criticizes the political world that has become like a stripper looking for money, to the powerful "Rock star", and to the sad and beautiful story of "Provider".

But the album doesn't only thrive on these three moments, in fact, the dull moments are few.

Indeed, the various "Truth or dare" featuring Kelis (Pharrell's ex!), "Baby doll" and "Am I high" (possibly the most beautiful track on the album along with "Provider") entertain and convince, while the story of little "Bobby James" is truly touching and musically very valid (with the musical variation in the finale) and "Stay Together", with a compelling and very funky rhythm, is the worthy conclusion of this work.

I repeat, I'm not a fan of the genre (I can barely listen to Prince, to make myself understood) and I fall into the aforementioned category of "rock purists", but listening to this album does no harm, and there's nothing to be ashamed of considering what has been offered in the last 10 years.
Listen to it along with the subsequent one.

No one Ever Really Dies, far from Losers.