Seeing Sounds

OK now I'm going to keep this short and sweet. For all those buyers out there who are about to cheese it on down to i-tunes because of the rave reviews this album has been getting.

If you're the type who enjoyed CDs like "The clones" and " kelis was here" that had more of a smooth hip hop feel, this may not be for you.

Whereas if you liked the more rock and roll experimental stuff scattered throughout N*E*R*D's other albums, you will probably like this one.

For me, I gave it a 3 out of 5 because with all the other stuff out right now " seeing sounds" just didn't bring it like I expected. I fell in love with the Neptune's amazing beats.....not Pharrell's mediocre singing voice, and unfortunately that is most of what this album delivers. : /

Did I say that this was awesome? Interestingly, this CD contains a track titled "Love Bomb" which shares a title, but nothing else, of an obscure album by the Tubes, circa 1985, which had a bit of the same vibe as this collection.

N.E.R.D. finally makes it back into the deck with this one! If you are a N.E.R.D. fan...BUY IMMEDIATELY!!! The musical talent on this album is unbelieveable!!! The instruments and creativity is unmatched! They really switched the style up a little, but the beats are crazy and interesting and keep you on the edge of your seats with amazing original rock guitars, perfectly laid on top of bangin' hip hop beats! A definate must buy! ENJOY FANS! And welcome back N*E*R*D*!!!
-Star Trak V

This ain't objective in the least. I am a hardcore Neptunes fan and generally give all their stuff high reviews (See: Kelis' 1st and 2nd cds, both Clipse cds, Pharrell's solo cd, Chad's work with Kenna and of course, the first two N*E*R*D cds)

Seeing Sounds is, again, great stuff. While it can't be summed up in just a few lines, I can tell you it's more of typically laid-back grooves given a tough backbeat with a cocktail of sarcasm-and-decadence-lyrics on the side. Not as great as In Search Of or as hard-rocking as Fly Or Die but this is a better-than-solid third effort.

Everybody Nose: Probably the most "hateable" track. The chorus sounds like bad Miami bass rap from the early 90s mixed with drums n bass. But then P brings in a killer keyboard riff and the whole thing suddenly makes sense.

Love Bomb, Windows, Sooner or Later: Pharell and Chad embrace their inner Beatles again.

Time For Some Action: bass-heavy opener. The closest to hip-hop this cd gets.

Anti-Matter, Spaz: Savage fuzzed-out guitar anchors this drums n' bass lite track.

Yeah You: similar to Frontin'. On this and You Know What, Pharell is Michael Jackson and Quincy Jones combined!

Happy: An 80s hard/soft rock/soul track that could have been a collabo between Journey and the Eurthymics.

Kill Joy: They rip off themselves beatboxing "She Wants to Move" and copping the underlying rhythm for this track. But it was so good the first time, you won't mind hearing it again.

I loved it at first listen.

Opening cut "Time for some action" has a minute long movie-like narration by Pharell sounding like he's going to make some profound statement, before turning into a funky club banger, in which he assures "This is not love/it's lust". At least he is honest!

And with that, Pharell, Chad Hugo, and Shay Haley, better known as N*E*R*D return with their third album. Unlike it's mostly Rocky predecessor "Fly or die", this is a mish mash of styles; Funk, Dance, and Rock, sometimes interlacing all in one song.

Similar to the opening cut is the bouncy "Everyone nose...". "Windows" sounds like "Around the world in a day" era Prince, a clap-filled pop/rock song with Pharell even throwing in some Prince-style squeals. "Anti matter" has a buzzing riff with rapped verses and drum & bass in parts, followed by the similar "Spaz".

"Yeah you" is one of my favourites, groovy R&B, as is the Chic-sounding "You know what" complete with scratchy guitars and remniscent of the song "She's not me" Pharell did on Madonna's new CD. Both will definately get a club jumping.

"Happy" is a sunny rocker which wouldn't sound out of place on "Fly or die", "kill joy" (with a rap about Little red riding hood and Prince-like harmonies) is a Funk laced upbeat song with a James Brown feel, while closing cut "Laugh about it" pairs chunky beats with driving guitars.

Slowing things down are the piano ballad "Sooner or later" with lovely harmonies (remember "Maybe" from "Fly or die"?), and "Love bomb" (piano and guitars, eerie flourishes and chunky beats in the chorus).

So there you have it, their most musically adventurous album yet. A fun album with a little something for everyone.