Although N.E.R.D.'s Seeing Sounds will probably wind up in the pop/rock section at your local record store, the group's third album could be best described as soul-metal/alt-rap/funk-rock...well, you get the idea. Seeing Sounds sees a trio that continues to thrive on being experimentalists in a business that rewards conformity.
- Gloriously retro
- Wildly futuristic
- Redundant music themes
- Seeing Sounds was inspired by synesthesia, a condition which combines two sensory organs.
- The trio drew the inspiration for their album after watching a Discovery Channel documentary on synesthesia.
- Seeing Sounds is N.E.R.D.'s third group album.
N.E.R.D.'s 2002 debut, In Search of... moved hip-hop beyond the traditional drum track and generic boom bap sound of the past and added slabs of synthetic fuzz, lush piano strokes, guitar licks, and a whole new world of instrumentation to the fold. It gave yield to the group's most impressive, varied album to date. While N.E.R.D. never stopped recreating their trademark Technicolor sound, their second set fell short of expectation.
Searching for the Perfect Sound
Third time around, this genre-bending trio of Pharrell Williams, Chad Hugo, and Shay, return with unabashedly bold sounds built on dozens of lushly layered and playfully dueling vocals. Their quantum leap is apparent on instantly indelible gems like "Laugh About It" and "Yeah You," though many of the tracks center primarily around the same themes.
Gloriously Retro
The boys also indulge in a bit of time travel, taking it back to the 60s and 70s to be precise. "Sooner Than Later" is so retro-soul you'll think Spanky Wilson will show up at anytime. "Anti Matter" embodies elements of psychedelic funk with a sprinkle of modern hip-hop. From the lightning-fast percussion on "Kill Joy" 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.
Inventive Hip-Pop at Its Best
The album is inventive hip-pop at its engaging best, even if Pharrell's faux-falsetto crooning takes up way too much room. Minor technical flaws aside, N.E.R.D.'s zany grooves require multi-sensory participation for full optimum listening experience. Simply put, Seeing Sounds joyously defies categorization.
Top Tracks on Seeing SoundsRelease Date: June 10, 2008
