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Amazon Review

This album feels like an elaborate inside joke, or a poor attempt to document the mayhem The Neptunes have experienced since their rise from suburban skateboarding kids to R&B staples. Its apparent goal is a Lenny Kravitz-meets-Faith No More experimental sound that could have been great if it had panned out. But the Neptunes' distinctive style is consciously diluted in favor of garage-band arrangements and a pre-programmed, familiar hip-hop backbone.

Despite having crafted a career full of exciting sounds, Pharrell's vocals on Jay-Z's "I Just Wanna Love U" aren't powerful enough to carry the album. However, N.E.R.D.'s chosen themes—smuggling drugs, being accompanied by strippers, fake club flings, feeling like everyone is a total loser, etc.—might appeal to anyone with a penchant for pop stars and their status. The Jamiroquai-esque "Things Are Getting Better" and the album's most exciting track, "Rock Star," impressively deepen the style. Unfortunately, "Rock Star" sounds too similar to the Beastie Boys' classic "So What'cha Want" and lacks impact. The Neptunes may have gained experience as global superstars, but they're still nerds. (Rebecca Levine, Amazon.com)

Media Reviews and More

This is a low-priced reissue of the first album by N.E.R.D., a hip-hop unit formed by the production team The Neptunes and Sheldon Haley. (C)RS