N.E.R.D.’s ‘Seeing Sounds’ Delivers on Its Promise
Not that I expected anything less, but Pharrell and crew came through once again. At the heart of this album is an experimental approach to music making. It works for the most part. One sign of a great album is the ability to show you things you may not have experienced before.
The boys from N.E.R.D. not only attempt to redefine the sound of the future, they also take you back to an earlier time, the 60s and 70s to be precise. “Anti Matter” embodies elements of psychedelic funk, while “Sooner Than Later” flirts with retro soul. From the lightning-fast percussion on “Killjoy” to the frenetic rhythms on “Laugh About It,” there’s such a consistent outburst of energy for much of the album that you’re left with no choice but to envision what these songs would sound like at a live concert.
Chad, Shay, and Skateboard P have already given us one of 2008’s most ostentatious singles in “Everyone Nose.” So, I’ll forgive them for including a few filler tracks here. At 12 tracks, the album moves so fast you hardly even notice.
All in all, Seeing Sounds is gloriously retro, yet wildly futuristic.
N.E.R.D. – “Laugh About It”
N.E.R.D. – “Kill Joy”
