Performer Notes
- This is an Enhanced CD, which contains both regular audio tracks and multimedia computer files.
- N.E.R.D.: Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, Shay.
- Additional personnel includes: Kelis (vocals); Lee Harvey, Vita, Kelis, Pusha T, Malice (rap vocals).
- Recorded at Master Sound, Virginia Beach, Virginia and The Record Plant, Los Angeles, California.
- Personnel: John Ostby (vocals, piano); Eric Fawcett (vocals, drums); Tammy Lucas (vocals, background vocals); Terrar, Kelis, Shay Haley, Pharrell Williams (vocals); Brent Paschke (guitar); Spymob (background vocals).
- Audio Mixers: Jimmy Douglass; Serban Ghenea.
- Recording information: Mastersound Recording Studios, Virginia Beach, VA; Record Plant, Los Angeles, CA.
- Photographer: Terry Richardson.
- Arrangers: Pharrell Williams; Chad Hugo.
- Writing and producing team The Neptunes have worked with everyone from Jay Z to Britney Spears. N.E.R.D. emerges as their side-project and first stab at performing. Behind the mike, Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo throw forth an interesting blend of several musical genres, creating a style all their own. N.E.R.D.'S sound is just as eclectic as The Neptune's clientele, fusing rock, hip-hop, electronica, and R&B. N.E.R.D. stands for No One Ever Really Dies, and refers to the infinite spirit and energy that exists in every living thing. This debut album, which features guest performances by Kelis and many others, definitely reflects that energy. The track list includes "Lapdance," "Things Are Getting Better," "Brain," "Provider," "Truth or Dare," "Tape You," "Run to the Sun," "Baby Doll," "Am I High," "Rock Star," "Bobby James," and "Stay Together."
Professional Reviews
Rolling Stone (12/26/02, p.108) - Included in Rolling Stone's "50 Best Albums of 2002"
Rolling Stone (8/2/01, p.63) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...The music is good....It's a crunch groove that's part Timbaland, part Afrika Bambaataa and part STAR TREK on Ecstasy..."
Spin (1/03, p.70) - Ranked #9 on Spin's list of 2002's "Albums of the Year"
Spin (4/02, pp.113-4) - 8 out of 10 - "...Ace genre-mashing...the addition of a band [to their previously electronic album] makes the record weirder, punching up the rock that was merely implicit on the previous version. That's 'rock' as in rap rock, alt-rock and Paisley Park psych rock and even country rock..."
Entertainment Weekly (12/20-27/02, p.126) - Ranked #4 on EW's list of 2002's "Albums of the Year"
Entertainment Weekly (3/15/02, pp.74-75) - "...The new, revamped album replaces their signature spartan-techno grooves with rock guitars, drums, pianos, and other oldfangled instruments....has a crackling vigor..." - Rating: A-
Q (8/01, p.136) - 4 stars out of 5 - "...A striking escape from mere genre....A swaggering, rock-friendly counterpoint to the likes of Outkast. And no less essential, either."
Uncut (9/01, p.96) - 5 stars out of 5 - "...They're on some kind of early Seventies cosmic/social conscience trip....This year's STANKONIA..."
Alternative Press (3/02, p.86) - 7 out of 10 - "...Alluring....bearing a suprising similarity to modern metal..."
The Wire (1/02, p.40) - Ranked #20 in Wire's "50 Records of the Year 2001"
CMJ (3/11/02, p.4) - "...[The album] embodies an ubridled passion for music and for the aesthetics of pure sound....There's a bit of musical irony here, when happy, elementary grooves are undercut by a dirty, almost invasive, guitar licks..."
Vibe (3/02, p.172) - 3.5 discs out of 5 - "...A complete departure, but with aural candy this flavorful, who cares?"
Mojo (Publisher) (1/03, p.73) - Ranked #9 in Mojo's "Best Albums of 2002"
Mojo (Publisher) (April 2002, p.112) - "...Unique fusions of harmony-led AOR...Sly and Funkadelic, fragile singing and Eminemesque raps, conscious '70s soul, '80s synth-pop and Hendrix-esque rock..."
NME (Magazine) (12/29/01, p.59) - Ranked #40 in NME's 50 "Albums Of the Year 2001"
NME (Magazine) (8/18/01, p.47) - 8 out of 10 - "...Awash with fuzzy-warm highs, hazy cosmic visions and exquisite ripples in the fabric of R&B as we know it..."
