Reviews (page 4 of 6)
I liked the second song they did with Kravitz more than the first. The idea of putting the hidden track after some songs as opposed to the end is an interesting idea. Bit of a surprise there. Some of the sampling got a little repetitive. I’m glad they were playing their instruments on it, to give it some authenticity. I liked the rhyme scheme for “Jump”. I listened to it a second time, enjoyed it more the second time around. Some of the tracks sounded a little goofy like “Backseat Love”. But, other songs worked a little bit more. It was a mixed bag for me, but I didn’t HATE it. Top tracks: “Don’t Worry About It,” “Jump,” “Thrasher”
I remember She Wants to Move from back in the day - didn't know who these guys were but their sound was different. That is a solid song. Nice funky feel, a different rap rock style - rap funk rock - with some energetic vocals and fun but silly and not overly deep lyrics. That is how the album starts too, feels like a modern twist on old funk. And I liked it. Don't Worry About It and the title track were a nice way to kick things off. But the album is always teetering on the edge of worthy rap funk rock and juvenile pop punk. Insert Jump with the Madden brothers (Good Charlotte) here. Sort of fun but also sort of eye rolling - how many times can you say dad? Daddy issues, I get the point already. More eye rolls for the not subtle lyrics on Backseat Love. But a great beat. And so it goes - back and forth between some great funky, rock, and hip hop beats and some head scratching what is that? One or two songs for me, one or two songs for nobody. The latter half of the album wasn't nearly as good as the first half. Drill Sergeant / Preservation (more the latter) and Thrasher were solid. Maybe and The Way She Dances were up and down. Close to a 3.5 for me but needed more consistency to be a 4.
No longer in the 1001, rightly so. It wasn't bad, but it just wasn't all that special. On the plus side, we just had Justin Timberlake's awful album, which was mostly written by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo (2/3's of N.E.R.D.), and this was better than that, at least, particularly when it rocked out more. A lot of it is just a bit of dumb fun (the lyrics particularly add the "dumb" part). Favorite tracks: Don't Worry About It, Drill Sergeant/Preservation (a little cheesy and long, but kept catching my attention), Thrasher, Maybe.
Didn’t care for the first half, as it played on all of the cliches of that era’s Rock. The second half was solid. Not incredible, but it was really cool to see this kind of unique album.
Another album that was removed from the book. 2.5 / 5
Rating: 5.5/10 Great production but I do not like this vocally. I commend them for the versatility of genres on here.
Pretty good
No idea what to expect having no knowledge of the band. A quirky kind of offering. Hard to get into but almost something of everything.
Nice
i was a bit surprised by this one. obviously i am aware of pharrell and his production and was kind of expecting more of a rap style album. this is what i would say is more of a funk-pop album? it's kind of fun and, obviously, the neptunes' production is pretty much always great. i felt like the songs on here were a little lacking, though. there was not a lot that really kept me hooked.
Less hip hop than I expected out of NERD? Maybe I was just stereotyping Pharrell. This was a fun time, but maybe a relic of its time. It tried to do a lot, but nothing stood out. 3*
“Her ass is a spaceship I want to ride” I had a good laugh with that one.
I didnt like it as much as I though I would. Still dont like the 2000s. It was interesting, but I don't think I'll revisit. Didn't leave a big impression on me
So Pharrell Williams is in this group, interesting. I've never heard of N.E.R.D. There's kind of an immature feeling to it, and it’s less edgy than it feels like it could be. And I was hoping for more bop. And what's with three hidden tracks, lol. That seems a tad much, and isn't the point of a hidden track to be at the very end of a CD that surprises you when you think the album is over? I do want to shout out Thrasher though, that did have edge AND bop AND Lenny, yum. Overall not terrible, but not really my jam.
Interesting, liked the mix of styles and influences. 3/5
This album is a lot of fun and is very vibe-heavy in a good way. Something you can listen to and jam with both as your main focus or while doing something else. That said, one factor I put weight on that I question for this album is its repeatability. I'm not sure it's something I'd want to listen to in full with frequency, whereas I could see myself revisiting individual songs more often. It also lacks some range/depth that can really hammer home the impact of certain tracks (and what I think really helps make an album "great"), opting for the aforementioned vibes instead. Even with these qualms, it's a very solid album. Overall: 3.4/5
I was not previously familiar with the artist or album, but this was a pretty good listen. I see the genre is listed as rap rock, but it definitely leans more on the rock than the rap to my ears. I would listen to this again.
I can see why people love this, pretty meh for me. I never actively disliked it, some of the songs were just missing some oomph for me. Cool to learn more about Pharrell even tho I'm not a huge fan, I feel like I should've heard of these guys before Rating: 3.2
Lyrically not so great, but in terms of a mash of musical styles coming together to create something unique, it's worthwhile I suppose!
#540. I couldn't really find much on this album I really think is all that interesting, but at the same time it's not bad or anything. 3/5: acceptable.
It's an OK album, but pretty forgettable.
Ligesom med The Roots er jeg ikke sikker på, at det er det her album, jeg ville have taget med, men altså man kan ikke snakke om popmusik i den her æra uden at have Neptunes med i snakken
Not bad! Obv love the production but not all of it did it for me
Idk it was okay. Really want to give it 2.5
"Her ass is a spaceship I want to ride." Awesome. 3.75
I love Pharrell but not sure about some of the colllabs on this album
She likes to move is a banger from I used to watch MTV all the time, but the other tracks are pretty mediocre.
It was okay. Beats were good, but the lyrics and rhymes were just alright. Also lacks a lot of real standout songs. 2.5/5 Probably won’t listen again
Very good, more rocky than I was expecting. Will listen to again
I liked this quite a lot, although I think it could have afforded to be ten minutes shorter. Strong three.
Kind of average - Beastie Boys did it way better
An interesting album. Some cool grooves and arrangements.
3- Stars (7/15)
'Well god forbid / Something goes wrong / You call / The police'; 'Shit happens, hey, just blow it off, whooo'; 'You must think you're Orson Wells / And this is 1954.' Pharrell really is a genius, and there are a plethora of artists who'd never have come around if weren't for this mishmash of rock, rap, and funk: Anderson .Paak, The Internet, Tyler, to name a few. But the genre is inventive, and influential, while the album leaves me wanting more. There's no song here I'm in love w/ - not even 'Thrasher,' which boasts the get-you-going chorus 'Fuck him up!' Is it lacking perspective to say that I wish this album was 'braver'? It feels like an irrational demand, but it's all I can come up w/ - if not 'braver,' at least less trivial, more bound to realize.
Sounding ok, still nothing to add to favs
Was expecting a rap album but despite Pharrel William's pedigree as a producer this is straight pop-rock without a rhyme to be seen. Hendrix and George Michael influences permeate. Its fascinating to see how identifiable the Neptunes production is despite the change of genre. Don't Worry About It is blues number with a monotone bassline, stripped back percussion with occasional organs and psych rock guitars orbiting. The middle section smooths out with the addition of a chorus before going back to the stripped out style at the end. Fly or Die is basically pop-rock with some vaguely soulful elements. Jump continues the pop themes with a syncopated and anxious drum track. Backseat Love brings back the Hendrix influences with bluesy guitars, bass and hammonds. She Wants to Move is like an anxious Faith, combining acoustic guitars with rolling toms. Breakout is an indie pop number with almost pop-punk lyrics. Wonderful Place lounges into a crescendo in the chorus with a synth line to imitate the horns. The album takes a sampler's approach to influences. Drill Sergeant almost sounds like a Beatles track. Preservation has brief moments of Faith No More. Thrasher is one of the few tracks with a hip hop beat, combining honky-tonk piano with raw electric guitar playing the same chord. The Way She Dances is the standout with some nice diminished chord breakdowns. The back half of the album starts to recycle themes and ideas and its not exactly boundary pushing in the first place. That being said the production achieves a lot with a limited palette and the fact that they learned their instruments for the album speaks a lot to their raw talent.
Interesting
interesting stuff
Honestly, didn't expect to find nerd rap. It's alright
I know you’re not supposed to judge a book by its cover, but seeing this album doesn’t exactly make me think I will be listening to a masterpiece. Also reading that Pharrell Williams is in this group doesn’t really give me high expectations. At times, the album certainly exceeded those expectations. Some songs are incredibly catchy and there are some nice jazzy moments in it. There were also songs, however, that I just couldn’t bring myself to like (Fly or Die, She Wants To Move). The features by Lenny Kravitz didn’t do much for me either. Favourite songs: Don’t Worry About It, Breakout, Wonderful Place, Maybe
Found a new love for NERD although there was some parts of this album I was a bit BORED favs Don’t worry about it Jump Backseat love She wants to move The way she dances
Weird one. Music was pretty good but the lyrics were all pretty vapid. Didn't mind listening to it, wouldn't change it if it came on, but I also wouldn't play it on purpose.
Didn’t go quite hard enough.
Okay I mean. I liked it and then it got weird and then I liked it again. The songs with the features were the best.
not bad as I thought
I like the genre bending, but I’m not sure I liked any of the songs. The jazzy tones bore me and the lyrics were shallow for the most part.
Truly: Phine
Disappointing after loving the singles
This album kind of settles into a groove somewhere in the middle, it took me a couple tracks to really get into it.
Not what I was expecting, enjoyed more than I thought I would…
It’s good and I love that Pharrell gets some love from this list. He’s one of the most exciting songwriters working right now. The rock-rap thing was established by the Aughts; this is a great example of it. I just liked N.E.R.D.’s first album more.
Started off great with Don’t Wooty about it and Fly or Die but got to the low point mid album with sophomoric Backseat Love and She Wants to Move. Luckily it ended ok so overall a 3
я на 100% забыла что они существовали. они норм но не мой жанр
It’s funny because I’m really familiar with the vocals on this album from hearing all the remixes over the years, but I’ve only listened to the original tracks a handful of times. Overall, this is a fun, enjoyable album if you’re looking for something light, easy, and surface level. It’s upbeat, playful, and full of unpredictable shifts, crossing over lots of genres and keeping things danceable throughout.
No strong feelings about this, some fun songs but didn't leave much of an impression on me. The mix of rock and hip-hop is cool though.
Hearing such a young Pharrell make waves across the industry is interesting. Album screams 2004 and though is not to my taste, it is a sample wonderland. Many of my favorite moments are the "hidden tracks," which are inaccessible due to format without the surrounding track they are hidden inside of. 2.5/5
Fine, I guess.
I had to listen to this album twice because i forgot i listened to it. And for once it's not my fault. This is THE POP MUSIC album. The poppest, safe, easy to sell with edges that look like perfect orb, perfectly medicore. I gained nothing and I'm 2 hours closer to my death.
Kind of all over the place. Not terrible but not really my style.
This was ok, not my favorite but did grow on me as it went
Pharrell’s Boner Jams ‘04.
Blatant cash grab riding the 00s rap rock wave, but the ride is not unpleasant.
Surprisingly fun rap rock album by Pharrell and those other guys - at least until we’re halfway in, at which point N.E.R.D. seem to lose focus and produce one boring middle of the road song after another. Still going to be kind to Fly Or Die due to the blast that is the first half.
hmm. this one was hard. I like some tunes, like Fly or Die and Drill Sergant and a few othes, overall, it's just not really my style I gues.
After getting the Neptunes in small doses throughout the list, here they finally have their own album! Often fun and funky, has a kind of bar band atmosphere that wears thin by the end. I bet I’d enjoy this album more in the summer! December 23, 2024
I mean, its not great. But its not terrible, either - Its pretty decent. 3/5
Unexpectedly better than I thought it would be
If you want to be reductive, N*E*R*D was the jumping-off point for Pharrell Williams' career after The Neptunes failed to materialize much success. If you want to be cool, N*E*R*D was the goofy intersection of R&B and rock music after both genres proliferated in an industry that effectively siloed the two. Fly Or Die is an unconventional representation of youth culture in a post-9/11 America: upbeat, restless, and desperate for hope. Is it the most musically coherent album? Far from it. Much of Fly Or Die feels more like messing around than actually executing a complete artistic vision to the fullest extent, but there's certainly some merit to the music these guys made. I can't hate too much.
First off nerd is just a rubbish name for a group and making it into an acronym of no one ever dies makes it worse. I kinda just thought Pharrell popped out of the ground with doing happy. You can tell it’s him through the voice which is cool, but he’s almost too smooth for the heavier cuts on this. For the poppier moments the album actually has quite a nice sound. The suggested artists on Spotify for this group is interesting to me as there’s things that are quite good like a tribe called quest then the abhorrent annoyance that is missy elliot! I honestly felt that the first three tracks were good then then it dips for two songs (including the albums biggest track) breakout then picks it up a bit then the whole thing of multiple songs on one track doesn’t work as there’s no medley or anything so while the songs are actually good here that pissed me off, it kinda goes into a sea of mediocrity but maybe is an absolutely amazing song. 3/5 in total though
This album was really a let-down after that amazing first album by N.E.R.D. I mean, this really isn't bad, but they played if safe, never reached the heights they can achieve.
Algjör þristur. Ekkert slæmt við þetta, en múvar mig ekki á sama hátt og margar aðrar plötur frá þessu tímabili. Þetta eru flottir strákar og miklir tónlistamenn. Pharrell og frændi hans Timbaland eru flottir pródúserar. Gaman að fá smá Lenny Kravitz.
Aldrei heyrt þetta. Pharell er ágætur. Sum lög fín, önnur ekki eins skemmtileg.
I remember this fondly and was glad to revisit it. I enjoyed this first time around about 5 years ago, and was mortified to discover it was actually 20. The birth of Pharrell as a super producer seems like a valid entry to this list and the quality of arrangement, production and feel are all top notch. There isnt much in the way of rapping and song writing but its still fun
This is a fun album, but it’s not perfect. I am tired and am too lazy to write an actual review.
At one point, I think that I liked this album, but on a re-listen, I'm not so sure. Not a big fan of Pharrell's voice.
This was fun
Pretty solid. Unsurprising that Pharrell is goated.
Fine, funny in parts, but overall pretty boring.
I was looking forward to this since I like some of the newer N.E.R.D, but this is not the best. There's something about some songs that just sound off. Overall, not bad, but not as good as I was expecting.
This was strange 2.5 stars
Kinda weird, but not terrible?
Nice enough
I heard breakout randomly whilst working out 2 years and probably listened to it over 100 times that year. first time listening to any of the other songs but they were all right. liked Lemon and Jump the most aside from Breakout
I never really got into NERD's first album, so I never really knew they had additional albums. I'm phamiliar with Pharrell, but I couldn't tell you any song that I like of his. He is regarded as a great producer/performer. So far, the title track is alright. I was going to say this has a slight Lenny Kravitz vibe, then I see that he makes an appearance, lol. Drill Sergeant is is groovy, then it turns into a Flash Gordon tune. Strange and interesting. I enjoyed this album. I give it a 3.4
I know some of the N.E.R.D. singles and the Pharrell solo tunes, but I haven't heard a full album. This feels a bit like either Jamiroquai plus distorted guitars, or TV On The Radio plus jazz keys. Upbeat and catchy with groove and momentum, it's easy to enjoy and fun even if it stays a bit shallow and on the surface. The first half is musical junk food. You gorge on the confections and get a sugar rush, but ultimately, you realize the empty calories don't offer much real sustenance. The second half expands on the sound and direction and takes a bit more chances, though they are a bit too calculated and cautious to fully embrace much deviation from the formula. "Drill Sergeant", "Thrasher", and "Maybe" are highlights here.
Bouncy, pitchy, goofy pop rock. The songs are kind of hit-or-miss, but I can appreciate this. It’s pretty fun, and Pharrell knows how to write a hook. Best song: Wonderful Place
76% Best: Don't Worry About It; She Wants To Move; Drill Sergeant/Preservation; Maybe; The Way She Dances Must-Hear? Not quite
I thought this was newer than it was. Anyway, it was pretty decent. I thought it was accessible rap for people like me who don’t really like rap. Kinda reminded me of OutKast but less eccentric. Not something I’d return to but I didn’t mind it.
Much better than I thought this would be. Some banging tunes.
I wasn’t expecting to like this album. Fell into the classic “ don’t judge a record by its cover” but I enjoyed it. Will I listen to it again… maybe!
I'm not sure it deserves to be on the list, but I didn't hate any part of this album. Pretty standard pop/rock with some hip-hop influences. It was completely fine.
Mixed feelings about this. Varied, interesting styles, and not as "gangsta" as the cover might suggest . A bit misogynistic especially in the opening track which set the wrong tone for me, but it picked up. Bit of an Outkast vibe but generally quite listenable, though I'm unlikely to seek it out again.
Album is aight. Kinda sounded like pharrel
This was pretty good. Had never heard of this group before. Overall a solid album.
Another I thought I’d like more than I did. Pharrell is one of those behind the scenes guys whose music he does or writes for other artists (e.g., Senorita by Justin Timberlake) I usually enjoy. This had some interesting stuff, but only merits a 3.
This was ok
See why it's here. It's inventive and no doubt has been a huge influence on many artists but weirdly I've heard those same artists do it a bit more consistently across an album. Saying that the album really picks up on the second half. Maybe is a great track, The Way She Dances too. Couldn't shake the word patchy from my brain as I listened. I love The Neptunes stuff and the first N*E*R*D* record but this one left me a bit flat and cold. However there is stuff here I would revisit though so going to give it a 3* in the hope I change my mind over time? Think I expected more from such boundary pushing producers.
I pretty consistently enjoy these albums more when I listen with headphones as opposed to just from my phone speakers, and it's extra noticable when I end up splitting an album half speakers/half headphones... Which is what happened with this one. I enjoyed the second half (headphones) much more than I was enjoying the first half (speakers). This was better than I was expecting based on the album art and wiki summary! It's an interesting mix on genres, and doesn't sound super 2004 like I was expecting. The two Lenny Kravitz collabs were the best tracks on the album, but the other songs weren't bad. Some of the lyrics definitely had me 🤔😂 though. Pleasantly surprised but not blown away.
Liked it more than I thought. First half of the album is strong but it does drop off in the latter half. Still, I'll probably revisit this one in the future.
Surprisingly fun Black Eyes Peas-ish album.
Alrigjt
Not bad. Didn't expect to like this album.
I don't like this album as much as "In Search Of...", but it has a fair share of good tracks. There's a couple of notably weak ones, too, mind.
2.8
My first impression of this was pretty good. I'm not a fan of hip-hop and the rock parts were simplistic to say the least, but the singing was good and the sound felt fresh, even though the concept has been attempted many times before. But really, as cool as it sounds to learn instruments just for one album, we can hear that you really can't do very much with it. This album could have been way better with experienced session musicians and not limiting instruments to being played as simply as possible. Songwriting also seemed to taper off on the second half.
Yllätyin positiivisesti ja nasta kun mukana on oiket soittimet. Reilu kolmonen tälle!
Decent, had some nice songs, there were misses too though
Catchy but i found myself wishing i was listening to something else
Love Pharrell but always thought he wasn’t great on the vocals. Just preference. Obviously production off the charts. ⭐️⭐️⭐️
Not typically my type of music, but generally infectious.
all over the place. the rap songs were very bad but the funk/soul stuff was pretty good. sounded childish gambino ish at times
The album is listened as hip hop but I felt that rock suited this project much more. It’s got a blend of genres and I see the masterful production behind each track. I did not feel particularly energized by the tracks even though that was clearly the objective of the project.
Easy to listen to but no real standouts.
I like the vibes and NERD generally but this album fell a little flat to me. I couldn’t help wonder throughout, “when’s that Happy song gonna come on?” lol 3.5/5
Yo... this guy kinda sounds like Pharrell Williams. Although the first couple of songs didn't get me, the rest were enjoyable. Just as is the rest of Pharrell's projects. 3.5/5.
Certainly different. mix of a lot of things and that makes it good. Fun and inventive.
- Irgendwie ganz cool. Habe noch nie von denen gehört. - Klingt ab und zu als hätten sie sich manchmal sehr von RATM inspirieren lassen. In anderen Songs geht der Flair wieder komplett verloren. - Das Durchhören hat Spaß gemacht, bestimmte Songs sind aber nicht hängen geblieben 3,5/5
Jájá, hreint ekki slæmt. Gæti alveg hlustað aftur.
A weird one. Tries a lot of stuff, mostly trying to blend pop with a ton of other genres, to various successes. I remember "She Wants To Move" being on MTV a toooon back in the day. It's still probably my favorite song on here, but mostly because I didn't find many tracks I truly "loved", mostly just some I appreciated. Call it a 2.5. Favorite tracks: "She Wants To Move", "Thrasher"
N.E.R.D heeft een aantal hele gave nummers, maar ik heb nooit de behoefte gevoeld om een album van ze aan te schaffen of, zoals dat vooral ging in die tijd, te downloaden. Daarom vraag ik me vooraf een beetje af in hoeverre ze in deze lijst thuis horen. En ik vraag me af of "In Search Of..." geen beter album is voor in deze lijst. Dat is het debuutalbum nota bene. Maargoed, we gaan Vlieg of Sterf luisteren van Niemand Ooit Echt Sterft. En dan blijkt dit album toch best aardig te bevallen. Het album klinkt alsof het z'n tijd een aardig stukje vooruit is door onder andere de Thundercat-achtige baslijntjes. Niet alle tracks zijn even geslaagd (Jump), maar al met al toch wel een lekker album. Heeft wel een klein beetje het Outkast syndroom, dat het allemaal wat lang doorgaat en dat het soms wel heel creatief maar niet per se fijn is. Tussen de 3 en de 4. Ik hou het op een 3. Doe mij toch maar gewoon Rockstar, Lapdance en She Wants to Move in een playlist-rotatie.
Not a Pharrell fan but this is better than his solo stuff
Pleasant listening - super light, rap-influenced hip-hop and pop, a bit of R'nB. The album cover accurately represents the college boy sound within. Bet this was a big hit in the frat houses.
pharrell williams what are you doing here!!! estuvo bueno 7.5/10
还阔以
Loves the single from this. The rest of the album is fine, not sure it needed to be in this list though.
Possibly a worse cover than Casanova by The Divine Comedy. 2004. Another one where I say "Why is this on the list?" Also, more hip hop? I suppose it's popular. Pharrel Williams is in this band, and that guy has become more successful than all but 3 other people IN THE HISTORY OF THE PLANET. At a previous job, we would have an all-hands meeting with some teams under a director, whose meeting this was. After the song "Happy" came out, this director (a 60 year old woman) would play that song at the beginning of every all hands, while everyone came in to the meeting room. Every meeting. What a nightmare. A real Office Space moment. So, between that and this album cover, today's listening is already tainted. But, we press on, don't we. A lot of people don't like Yes or Pere Ubu, either. Uh, this guy (Pharrell) is a good singer. Like really good. Songs are legitimately clever for the most part, interesting and have a bit of variety. And they rock, I am loathe to admit. Or maybe it's low key parody? Why not both? Pleasantly surprised. Couple mainstream reviews calling it prog-pop? Not bad.
A great effort went into writing and producing this album. Points for vocal harmonies on several tracks. Good job by the rhythm section. Still a bit limited with tracks sounding like copypasta.
This was really good ! 3*
Some sounds are marvelous fusions of other genres. I found this not bad, but I don't think I would like a steady diet. 12 tracks were a bit much
It's always fun to hear what Pharrell comes up with. If memory serves, this album was released shortly before he became particularly well known, but he was already well established within the music industry. 'Fly or Die' doesn't have the perfectly crafted earworm pop of some of his later work, like 'Happy' but it clearly displays some of his evolution as a writer, performer and composer. Particularly noteworthy is that the group learned to play the instruments for this album, something admirable but not strictly necessary within a genre that liberally uses samples and guest appearances. It's a good album but truthfully it's just a taste of what Pharrell would accomplish later in his career. Side note, the DFA remix of 'She Wants to Move' is fantastic.
Like an older soul album. Funky, great
I liked most of the songs on this album...just didn't love any of them. This wasn't a bad album, it's def an important one to give a try, especially for fans of Pharrell/The Neptunes. I just don't think i'll find myself relistening to the vast majority of this project.
The first track is a banger. Thereafter, other songs are good but, not best like the opening track!
3 star
Classic
Never heard of them, but I kinda like it. Pharrell Williams is pretty creative, and I did not know this was his project, and with Lenny kravitz on a couple of songs? Not bad. I'm not sure I'll remember this, but it's good to have options. Had to listen to it again before writing this, so ...
Þetta er alveg áhlustanlegt.
It’s alright. Pharrell is a pop music machine. I like parts of some of the songs, but that’s it for me. Just too Cali-pop. 3/5
Yeah ok this is actually pretty good, worth its place on the list.
Ну такое, середнячок одноразовый
Flew and due.
i mean if those are the choices ...
I was expecting worse. The instrumentation is nice for the most part. It's not very rap heavy. I'm just always on the fence about whether I like Pharrell Williams' voice. At least there's not a lot of falsetto.
Just fly enough to not have to die, congrats!
Swagalicious
Fly Or Die is good in places, less so in others, the front half of the album is much better than the second half and it feels like they were short of ideas the more they added to the album. It kinda felt like a continuation of what Prince was doing 15-20 years earlier but without the quality of evolution you'd like or want from that sort of thing. It's a 3 but I didn't enjoy it as much as I maybe hoped to.
It's fun, this, production is good, flows and works nicely. Not quite sure what it's trying to be really though, it's a nice, smooth listen but doesn't quite go anywhere. Occasionally turns towards something you can dance to, sometimes goes a bit more rocky, doesn't do either particularly memorably. Think it scrapes a low 3.
N.E.R.D. and the Neptune's as well as In Search Of are generally excellent. In comparison this album just feels average. Not bad just not anything special
Fun album. Sort of hip - pop.
Ok so I like the cover art. The cracked egg is clever. Full star for that. ⭐ Not sure what direction these guys were headed with this album, seems to lack a true identity,. At least now I know Pharrell Williams was in a band called Nerd!
Today's album is rap rock or funk rock maybe. My first thought was: This singer sounds a lot like Pharell Williams. Turns out it IS Pharell! Definately an odd melding of genres. Makes sense since Pharell is big into bending the borders between musical genres. This album is interesting for sure! Favourite songs: Fly or Die, The Way She Dances, Don't Worry About It, Backseat Love, She Wants to Move, Thrasher, Maybe Least favourite songs: Wonderful Place 3/5
Not bad
Good enough
01) Don't Worry About It - 7,5 02) Fly Or Die - 7,0 03) Jump - 7,0 04) Backseat Love - 7,0 05) She Wants To Move - 9,0 06) Breakout - 7,5 07) Wonderful Place/Waiting for You - 7,5 08) Drill Sergeant/Preservation - 7,0 09) Thrasher - 7,5 10) Maybe - 7,5 11) The Way She Dances - 7,0 12) Chariot of Fire/Find My Way - 7,0 TOTAL: 7,38 (74/100) Current ranking: 130/232 The problem with this album (but not only this one) is that after a while all the songs start to sound the same. I remember that at that time "She Wants To Move" sounded very fresh, new and different. Now I don't have that feeling anymore, it sounds very '00 just like the rest of the album. Not a bad album, but nothing I'll remember later. Except maybe the previously mentioned "She Wants To Move" which goes on my "1001 albums" playlist.
I’m not generally a fan of Pharrell Williams on his own; in fact, he can be a bit annoying. This album is better than expected, but I’m not sure why it needs to be on the list.
This was way different than I was expecting. I liked it
Funk and rock and a few other things. Worth another listen.
Sonically this album reminded me a lot of Goldlink just with less edge. There's a lot to like her but not really a lot to love imo. It's a fun album but it isn't very gripping.
This is a well-curated selection of hooks, rhythm patterns, guitar bite and clever shifts that didn’t produce an earworm for me over a playthrough. During the first song, I joked to myself that N.E.R.D. remind me of my beloved Jon Spencer Blues Explosion, but without the snarl or Method-madness. This joke stuck, with a dollop of Beck added. Yet I’m not sure it delivers any tunes, just lots of good segments. It’s a wine-tasting menu rather than a meal; good fun, but leaves you hungry and queasy if you overindulge. Lyrics are often yuck, but I laughed when I heard Pharrell Williams stage-whisper “chocolate flower”.
daphne does not like it 2 sexy for me! /for us aber fun
2.5 stars. This was OK, felt a bit repetitive at times but more creative than bland rap-rock. Good layering at times and consistent beats that made it more authentic and less derived. Standout was "She Wants To Move".
Fun rock album but there’s definitely more fun and interesting albums coming out in this time period.
Absolut hörbar. Sehr rockig. Nice!
Er is iets met die Pharell. Hij is muzikaal veelzijdig en onmiskenbaar creatief. Er is weinig op de muzikaliteit van die man af te dingen. En toch zijn er maar weinig dingen van hem waar ik blij van wordt. Ook NERD heeft mij nooit veel gedaan. Ondanks dat ze best creatieve dingen uithalen, die best werken, zoals de aritmisch voelende, maar toch passende achtergrond bij de hit. Wellicht komen dat soort dingen, omdat ze niet beperkt waren door kennis van de instrumenten. Ze speelden geen van allen een instrument en zijn dat maar gaan leren, zodat ze hun album ook ten gehore konden brengen. Voordat ik de 1001 kende dacht ik dat een rockband die geen instrument kan bespelen iets bijzonders was. Maar het is al iets te vaak voorgekomen. Toch is dat hier geen echte beperking. Maar ja, het is gelukkig ook geen live-registratie.
Decent, but i wasn’t too into it. 3.4
Pretty good stuff overall
Big band hip hop
Cool stuff.
like a 5,75 out of 10 surprising to see the 'happy' guy on this
This was way better than I was expecting it to be. A couple of tracks I'd probably look back to.
Interesting. Best track She Wants To Move 3/5
Nerds are unfairly maligned. Why would it be bad to be hardworking, diligent, focused, and inquisitive? They are much more than a Steve Uerkel stereotype of glasses and pocket protectors. Then there are the candies - intense crunches of pure sugar, and now in clusters and rainbow ropes. More to them than you thought, huh? Seems to be true of the N.E.R.D.s too. Pharrell Williams and his childhood pals sure do defy genre descriptions and fully delve into musical fusion on “Fly or Die.” Despite how nice it was to listen to something that defies being placed in a box, these tracks really grab me. Williams built up quite a rep as a super producer, and has had a big impact on 21st century music, so his inclusion on the list feels justified. But at the same time, none of his albums seem worthy on their own, either from N.E.R.D. or the Neptunes. Maybe most justified would be Justin Timberlake’s Neptunes-written and produced debut, removed from the list like “Fly or Die,” but a much bigger hit.
enjoyed
Good album and good vocals
*Weird* and interesting halfway point between hip hop and alt-rock sensibilities.
The production is, of course, excellent. This is made for radio play, and it really is an original sound. Overall, this feels more evolutionary than revolutionary to me, mostly because the draw isn't the great songs or great production, but the change in sound from N.E.R.D.'s last album to this one. Strong enough album and there are catchy melodies. It doesn't feel essential, but more enjoyable. Perhaps I am too hard on these albums but this is going to fade into the background fairly quickly for me. When I listened to this album on Spotify, it went from this album to "Dust" by Van Hunt and I couldn't help but think that would have been a better choice.
so far not a lot to say - its sounds pretty good
A fun blend of rap rock with great production but nothing too substantial- their previous album is far more exciting Also: there are a few things about this album that are kind of dated, but the most notable is that there are THREE HIDDEN TRACKS
A mix of hip hop and rock is a new mix for me, and I like the experimentation.
Not sure why this is the N.E.R.D album chosen for this list. Both In Search Of... and especially Seeing Sounds are much better examples of what made these guys some of the biggest hit-makers of the 2000s.
Pretty enjoyable style, would consider listing to more of them
3.75
klingt wie eine Mischung aus Prince und Lenny Kravitz. Ganz okay zu hören.
A groovy rap rock record with bluesy riffs and James Brown funk energy and vocals. The sound and production is very much a blend of both hip hop and alt rock typical of the period on pop radio. The closest I can compare it to is Outkast who shares the same sense of style and creativity. From that perspective, the songs are loose and fun, experimenting with a lot of different ideas which each stand out, and they all have parts that work, even if the whole track doesn't hit it off. As an example, "Backstreet Love" is a cool song that reminds me of Roxy Music's "Bogus Man". The second half tries to spice it up which sounds kinda cool but it's messy and harsh. It's too forceful in its repetition without saying anything, which serves to do nothing except exhaust my attention. Other tracks do this to various extents, sometimes not as bad, and sometimes only in certain parts. "Drill Sergeant" is the worst example. Lots of cool ideas in that song, but it's a hard listen at its 7-minute length. It's a shame the 2 Lenny Kravitz songs have very little going for them. It's very accessible with its mass pop appeal, but the tracks are exhausting with how excessive they all are, especially for dragging on to almost an hour. Creative, clean, and cohesive, but too forceful and messy. Favorites: Fly Or Die, She Wants to Move, Maybe
Haven't listened to much Pharrell really, despite seeing him in concert once. He has a great voice, but he did a lot of talk-singing that didn't really keep my attention. There was a lot of variety in musical styles on this album which is a definite pro for me. I'd give it a 3.5.
Wack but kinda swag.
I appreciated that this had a different kind of sound. It was an interesting mixup of genres. There were times I liked it, but I didn't love it ever.
Better than I thought based on the Spotify algorithm. Clicked on the album, listened to the first song then clicked back out. When I came back, Spotify played the next song, but then went on to play other songs that follow the formula. I had no idea for about half and hour until I checked to see how much time was left. I started the album over and was mildly surprised. I enjoyed the way they mixed things up a bit. I mean, it’s a rap/hip-hop album, but they added differing flair to it. Still, it won’t be in my rotation.
Omankuuloisensa bändi! Ja oikein edustava levy, tyyli tulee selväksi. Kivat rnb-laulut ja siihen nähden epäkonventionaaliset taustat. Hidden track on aivan turha.
not as boring as i thought it would be and had some catchy tracks.
Better than I thought to be fair. Pharrell has got a good voice, these are well written songs, and, unlike some other artists of the genre, they seem to prioritise having fun over macho posturing. It reminded me of Outkast, who were probably their closest contemporaries, in that respect. The songs with Lenny Kravitz were particularly good I thought. Not amazing all round, but an enjoyable listen.
Some good moments. Starts to sound a bit the same throughout
Miles better than Lil Wayne’s “rock” album, this is still pretty scattered. There are a few decent tracks but I can’t imagine ever wanting to hear this again in my life. Parts of it feel like Silk Sonic in its intentionally retro sound with some modern hip hop production added.
3/4
Meh
this is the most 3/5 album ive ever listened to.
I really like the rock music, and the lyrics are really well crafted. There's some quality difference in some songs. The beginning of the album was missing something for me, but the album gets better and better as it goes. Not great, but this is definitely good.
Definitely the second best NERD album. Pharell (and Chad) seem to go through cycles of unadulterated genius then relative mediocrity. This is in one of their lulls, unfortunately. Still good, nothing special though. In Search Of... is the one that should be here.
N.E.R.D. aim to be the early 21st Century equivalent of Beastie Boys by switching their genre allegiances with Fly or Die and, for the most part, they succeed. On its surface, it appears prepared to fall flat on its face but N.E.R.D. surprise by offering crafty and catchy hooks and unexpected aptitude for the subjects that occupy their songs. Fly or Die sounds as though it wouldn't be out of place in a early to mid 70s musical landscape, even if its lyricism keeps it firmly in early 2000s territory. Favorites: Jump, Backseat Love, She Wants to Move, Breakout, Wonderful Place/Waiting for You, Drill Sergeant/Preservation, Thrasher, Maybe.
First song was strong, then got just better than okay 3.3
Kinda unique, but not necessarily in a good way. I can see how it may have influenced other music, but don't hit very well.
Don't be misled by the album cover or the band's name. This thing slaps.
First impression: Prince wannabe. Too negative? Oh ... This is a young Pharrell? Ah. I appreciate the thought behind this - merge hip hop, rock, and 70s soul - but this doesn't do much for me personally. I don't think I'll remember any of these songs an hour from now. I look forward to reading other reviews to see why this is on the list. Is it supposed to be, like, the Sergeant Pepper of hip hop or something? ⭐⭐⭐ __________________________________ 🎧 LPs reviewed: 37 🎧 LPs left to review: 964 🎧 LPs I found great/relevant enough to be mandatory listens (5): 9 🎧 LPs I *might* include in my own list (4): 12 🎧 LPs I will certainly *not* include in mine (1-2): 10
It surpassed my low expectations going in. Hell, they even made a song with the no talent ass clowns from Good Charlotte listenable. I found the second half pretty lacking though. 2.5 but gets a 3 because I expected so much less.
Energizing and nostalgic
I liked this more than it seems a lot of folks did. It's not quite In Search Of... but gets the job done. Solid 3.
"Middle-aged suburban dad doing Sunday morning chores" was probably not N.E.R.D.'s target demographic, and yet here we are.
Probably the weirdest thing I've had yet on this list; funky, alt-hip-hop rock which is so INCREDIBLY 2000s. I didn't love it, but i was definitely along for the ride.
Greddufönk. Ekki svo galið. 3,5.
I like NERD. This album is a little all over the place I fear.
Pharrell has to be discussed more in general music. Too bad rap isn’t taken seriously outside of the culture.
It's good if you're into hip-hop.
Rock, dance, funk, pop, male, hiphop, mid, nice tunes, catchy, blueprint for Pharrell style, solid music and songwriting, aged well, not my pair of shoes
not bad, groovy 2000s club music. a lot of the songs sounded the same 3/5
Fun. 3 stars
This is kind of a weird one because I want to give NERD a good rating because of their legacy and all of the hits that they make music for. On the other hand, this album is kinda boring. It's not bad, but for a group that was changing the sound of pop music during this period, their solo work tends to be a bit pedestrian 3/5
Smooth production you'd expect from the Neptunes. Enjoying the title track and its recurring synth riff. Jump and Breakout as well. Second half is weaker, but Chariot of Fire is a pretty good closer. Overall, this is as middle of the road as it gets.
This is quite the entertaining album with great musician ship all around. It seems and talented performers however, as fun as it was. I just don't see myself going back to it very often
Fun album led by Pharrell’s vocals.
This album was fun. The only thing I didn't like was every song was heavy on repetition.
Feel good music
pretty cool, not great, kind of repetitive but interesting at least. 3.2.
This album wasn't as bad as I was expecting when I first saw the rap/rock label. This was definitely more in the funk/R&B side of things which made it much more palatable. The music itself was fairly inoffensive and I was surprised to hear just how much N.E.R.D. incorporated early 2000s alternative style guitar into their music. Lenny Kravitz's touch can certainly be felt on the tracks he contributed to. This album feels much more experimental than Pharrell's more recent stuff; the incorporation of the various genres works well here and must have sounded exciting at the time.
Rocking album with ‘Pop’ pop sensibilities because Pharrell
Hmm sounds less like fusion and more like they don’t know what they want to sound like. It’s all okay I guess. I don’t really like Pharrell’s solo stuff but I prefer it to this.
One of the more bizarre records I’ve had on here for sure. I’ve heard some of N.E.R.D’s stuff before, but not too much of this record. It’s just so off the wall and strange and the lyrics get a bit weird in some parts too. I think the production is pretty sweet though. 6/10
chill record, bit too long and repetitive, production too clean fav: fly or die
un nerd wannabe imo
An interesting album! I know the talent behind it are really good which helps a lot since it takes a big swing and I don't think it hits a home run but a solid double.
First half was a five, second half was a two.
Ok, some good stuff, not sure why it's in this list
Never heard this band before. This wasn't bad. I like the vocals and overall production. I'd listen to them again, but probably wouldn't go out of my way.
This was fun. The songs started to feel a bit forced or formulaic as the album went on — less of an album and more a collection of songs, perhaps. So a 3-star is a bit soft, but it wasn't at a 4 for me.
Really dug this It’s a 3.8
It was good! I enjoyed it, especially Pharell's vocals.
Good beginning to their career
3.5
Favorite Songs: Backseat Love Wonderful Place Drill Sargeant Thrasher Interesting mix of rap and rock. After the first couple songs I was not that hooked but more and more enjoyed the listen.
Best Song: Jump. Never thought a Benji Madden collab would be this danceable, but here we are. Worst Song: Thrasher. This feels like Limp Bizkit cosplay. Overall: Knowing Pharell's penchant for production, I really expected more here. He definitely excels more in the pop, rap, and hip hop spheres than this half-rock stuff. Just alright.
Best song - Drill sergeant
Certainly a unique sound. Hits at some times (Jump, Breakout, Wonderful Place) but not at others. Wish the hidden tracks were actually separate hidden tracks at the end of the album instead of tacked onto existing songs.
Knew this project was a bit different but it still caught me by surprise. The off-kilter mix of Hip-Hop fundamentals with a heavy dose of pop lyricism/production and the occasional rock beat was enough to keep me genuinely interested for the full runtime. Some tracks did wear their concepts a bit thin, but newer, more boundary-pushing music is what I’ve been asking for with some of the more modern picks on the list.
Good
upbeat and energetic. well produced. not necessarily my thing, but i didn’t hate it.
I couldn't really decide what I thought of this. I feel like the writer thought he was being far more clever than he actually was being. The music was catchy. I dunno.
This was a fun listen. I dug it.
N.E.R.D's "Fly or Die," released in 2004, is an eclectic journey blending rock, funk, and hip-hop. The album, led by Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, showcases their musical versatility. Tracks like "She Wants to Move" and "Maybe" exude energy and experimentation. However, the stylistic diversity might lead to a lack of cohesion, and some tracks may feel like a departure from the expected N.E.R.D sound. While moments of brilliance shine through, the overall listening experience may be uneven for some. "Fly or Die" deserves a respectable 3/5 for its ambition and moments of musical brilliance despite its occasional inconsistency.
Good record
3/5. Not quite r&b, not quite pop, it's got some funk and groove. It's got this young energy of experimentation and cool. It's not necessarily my vibe but this does jam for sure. Maybe will go up later but right now, I enjoyed it and not much more. I respect it as well, expanding the sonic barrier of what pop can do.
Fun, good vibes music, with funky beats and fun lyrics.
Nonn no lo escuché, escuchar despues
The lyrics...., not for me
Feeling like a 6/10, it's just not that interesting in what it does. Due to being a more recent album this style is very well known to me on the radio while in the back of the car. It's comfort music for some, but not for me. Still a good album but could use some more diverse tracks.
Floats around between punky rock, pop, and hip hop. Fun mix
"her ass is a spaceship i wanna ride" surprisingly eclectic 2000's rock-rap, featuring Lenny Kravitz. I didn't love this album. Although it fits pretty well into my interests and my previous music taste, I really enjoy rock music, and especially hip-hop from around this era- MF DOOM, A Tribe Called Quest, but this record didn't itch either of those scratches, nor was it trying to. I found myself wishing that the current song playing would end, and then finding myself starting to enjoy it. This happened with T7- Wonderful place, which earned the spot on the playlist, mostly because of the included bonus track, which was vaguely reminiscent of Tyler the Creator, whom I enjoy. If someone played choice songs off this record at a smoke sesh, I wouldn't be mad at all. Not quite my vibe, but it was chill. 3/5
liked it, but nothing really stood out. 3/5. listened 2x
Niet hun spannendste plaat maar nog altijd heel prima feestje met die Pharrell.
Rock alternativo. Rap rock. Ni fu ni fa.
Pop elegante y bien construido, con buenas bases y voces masculinas. Agradable de escuchar en cualquier momento.
Average but entertaining. 3/5
Eh, this doesn't really land for me. It sure sounds like everyone involved really thinks they're on to something, but it's distinctly mid. Is it Pharrell Williams doing most of the singing? He, uh, doesn't have a great voice, eh? And not in a Neil Young kinda way where it's part of the charm. Fave track - "She Wants to Move" was pretty popular so I have some nostalgia towards it, I guess, cringe though it is....
3.5
Enjoyable: I wouldn't call it hiphop but neither any other genre. It just felt like a weird mashup of music made by highschoolers from the 00s which is shown perfectly in the album cover, odd. Although this may be so I found myself enjoying this album but not to the point i'm listening to many songs again.
3-
I appreciate the effort that NERD put into creating this album, including learning all of the instruments so they can play them live! Overall it was a good rap/rock album that really put the likes of Pharrell Williams on the map. Best: She Wants To Move Worst: Chariot of Fire
This was underwhelming. Aside from the hits, the album mostly went by uninspired. Not sold on it but not a hater.
Zijn het de beste muzikanten? Nee, dat niet. Maar wel respect dat ze voor dit album instrumenten hebben leren bespelen. Resultaat is een rampalbum met veel pop.
It's fine. Maybe a 3/5 at best.
Not as rockstar as I thought it would be. A window into the early naughties.
qualcosa di simpatico c'è, principalmente "She wants to move"
A fun listen, similar to the first album but no worse for it
I listened to this just after attempting Bitches Brew and it was just the pop antidote I needed: Neither to alternative not to facilitate to put me off. So saying it is enjoyable without being complex. A charming mash-up of genres.
Better than I thought it was gonna be.
It's not clearing to me what this really is, seems all over the place, but there are definitely some strong tunes.
This was a relatively unique album. It’s hard to say if I liked it but it was interesting. This is best described as an alternative hip hop album but it felt kind of childish. Pharrell is hit and miss with me. Some of his stuff is good some is just bad. He clearly likes music and doing new things but I had a hard time enjoying this one. It felt like hip hop but for teenagers. 5.8/10
Based on knowing nothing but seeing the album cover, I thought I was going to hate this. But I was wrong! Good stuff. 3 stars.
Good to see Pharrell’s earlier work, but far too many “hidden” tracks.
Never got into this album when I was younger, despite loving their preceding album (and even having a glow in the dark BRAIN hat). Thought I may have grown into, but it still just seems a bit disjointed to me, and just not fun to listen to.
Some good tracks ... surprisingly musical for a rap band. Good keyboards and pretty good singing.
MID
It was an interesting album. It was not hip hop, although it may have been better if it was. It was a longer album. A couple of songs sounded familiar. There is not much of a desire to listen to it again. I will round up but it is not really a three
Fairly interesting. Not the traditional rap record. Nothing special, though.
Very hit or miss album for me. Some of the songs were fun and funky while others were weird and lyrically creeped me out. Pharrell as an artist tends to be hit or miss for me anyways
Did not initially recall N.E.R.D. at all when this came up, but then reading about them and realizing is was Pharrell Williams jogged my memory a bit. Regardless, I never listened to them at all before. This album is okay, it feels a bit uneven and all over the place to me, especially given the level to which Pharrell has risen as a producer. Some fun songs, but a lot of the arrangements just don't really do it for me. Fun enough for sure.
Vraiment pas trippé, je sais pas quoi penser du mix rock et rnb. Je ne trouve pas que la voix de Pharrel et la musique s'accorde si bien ensemble. L'album était un peu long et je trouvais c'était très similaire tout le long. 5/10
I was expecting something really bad based on the cover, but it was actually listenable. Mostly. Funny how little you need when you're ready for the worst - just some actual instruments and a little bit of a melody.
NERD
Great little boogie album
Honestly I thought this was just ok. Not a huge fan of rap-rock as a genre but this was harmless and pretty typical of Pharrell's work, of which I'm not the biggest fan in the world to begin with, outside of some collabs he's done with other artists. 6/10.
Rock alternativo. Rap rock. Ni fu ni fa.
Mezcla de rap, Lenny Kravitz ...Pero no en su conjunto, sino que cada canción suena como de estilo distinto. ¡Ah vale! Que una canción la canta con Lenny Kravitz, jaja. Por eso me parecía ....
Interesting genre bending and sound, but it just failed to excite me. Felt lifeless even when energetic.
Personally, the mix of rap and funky rock just didn't prove anything, it feels like it would have worked with classic hip hop beats just as well. Only the last song was really anything that stood out from the rest
A rock/hip hop crossover, but a lot more emphasis on the rock than I had expected. Reminiscent of a more chilled out Death in Vegas in places. Power to the nerds. Rating: 3/5 Playlist track: The Way She Dances Date listened: 16/06/23
Mixed feelings about this one. Its kinda genreless which is good.. its a rap-funk-rock crossover but not in a RHCP shite way.. The debut is stronger. But I'm not won over by the songs but I kinda admire it . Second half is weaker.
Solid
3+
Haven't listened to much NERD, but very familiar with the Neptunes, Pharrell and Chad Hugo. I've heard a lot of good things about them, and it's obvious they're creative and talented. I have a feeling this isn't their best album, but it's still pretty good. I'm glad that this is on the list, but scratching my head thinking of other Neptunes-produced stuff that's certainly not on here. Hell Hath No Fury by Clipse? Favorite tracks: Fly or Die, Breakout. Album art: Extremely 2004. The three of them standing hatched from a USA flag egg. I'm not reading much into the symbolism, but the banner style, shadows, everything is very of its era. Reminds me of the Black Eyed Peas. 3.5/5
This was fun. Sounds like something my dad would play in the car for us as kids.
Big singles, great production, curiously empty.