Nerd sightings

On "Time for Some Action," the opening track of Seeing Sounds, N.E.R.D. frontman Pharrell Williams reminisces about growing up on the hot Virginia Beach streets of the 1980s. Williams said he “first began seeing sounds” while coping with those record heat waves. Twenty-odd years later, he named his band’s third album after
this phenomenon.

N.E.R.D. (No one Ever Really Dies) is comprised of the music-producing juggernaut duo The Neptunes (Williams and Chad Hugo) and their childhood friend Shay. The band makes a hybrid of rap and rock that features Williams’ trademark falsetto over thrashing guitars weaved with smooth, funky drum beats. The band’s 2002 album In Search Of… was mostly hip-hop and its 2004 record was mostly rock. Seeing Sounds attempts to have a balance of both styles. The result is a schizophrenic dance/pop/funk/metal record that is simultaneously the best and, at times, the worst record of N.E.R.D.’s catalogue.

The album’s first single is the regrettably catchy “Everyone Nose (All the Girls Standing in the Line for the Bathroom).” The song, with its infectious chorus of “A hundred dollar bills look – Achoo! Achoo!” is assuredly the most hilarious song about cocaine abuse this summer thus far (and also the albums standout dance track). Yet, the song feels like “Lapdance” redux; party girls, not politicians are the target this time. Nonetheless, asses will be shaking to this song in clubs and basement parties all summer long.

“Love Bomb” is my favorite track and has Pharrell singing “from a room with white padded walls.” The track is toned down compared to other tracks on the album, giving the listener a break from the electric drums, showcasing Williams’ voice on top of a breezy guitar. The intricate production is still present here, but the band wisely went with a less-is-more mentality. “Sooner or Later” is another great minimally produced pop track on the album.

And perhaps that mentality could have been employed more here. “Kill Joy” is overproduced and sounds like a song cut from In Search Of….
With the exception of a few tracks (“Everyone Nose,” most notably) Seeing Sounds is a success. Fans expecting club-bangers will be left wanting more. However, listeners needing a soundtrack for an afternoon summer barbecue in the park will rejoice.