Genre: Hip Hop, R & B
Label: Star Trak, Interscope, Virgin
I remember being So excited when this Album Came out as at the time, He was my Generations Tyler, the creator, into building a brand and fashion on top of quality music. That was a bit out the box then most hip hop at the time.
So this felt like it was part of the revolution to be revenge of the producer. Wherebthey were coming out with solo or their own Albums, flexing when it came to lyrics and presentation.
I love N.E.R.D. So with pharell trying a solo but not breaking up with chad Hugo or abandoning N.E.R.D. As after all they stillnwere producing as The Neptunes. It figured as he was the more extroverted one, who didn’t mind being the face and the spokesperson.
The album Starts off strong with the song CAN I HAVE IT LIKE THAT with a seemingly funkY Energy
What you Would expect, even if the rhymes or songs aren’t working. The beats usually do
There is plenty of good and bad but this is the first solo album from him and the best of them. Though really GIRL was the only other one and that seemed to not only be an E.P. But a hit single. That was surrounded by some B-Side single songs and packaged.
It makes this album all the more fascinating but more disappointing. As the singles are more the ear catching. Where as the deep cuts maintain the mood and attitude. As it is like a funky romantic workout album.
I looked forward to this album so much at the time. I loved N.E.R.D./The Neptunes at the time and thought once this album comes out. It will be the hottest and flyest album on the street. That people and other artist will ah e to reach a next level to compete with. I was so hyped to get it. I even copped the early mixtape of it and loved the official first single. CAN I HAVE IT LIKE THAT? Thinking if that is what we have to look forward to with the whole album. I have nothing to worry about. this is the same feeling I would eventually have with KANYE WEST and his albums
Then the album came out. I was very disappointed. I tried listening to it over and over to try and find an appreciation or let it grow on me. I found a few songs that I thought were good enough but very few songs that I loved or were standouts.
So I mainly forgot about the album. I thought about the album more or less leaning towards hate. I recently started listening to it track by track again. While also listening to albums and song he/they produced. I now have a new admiration for the album. I still don’t think the album Is great, but I do think it’s good an uptempo album that is subtle. Awash with a hip swagger but somewhat actually deep at it’s core. A heavy bass beat album that seeks the right freestyle.
The album as a whole sounds like a mix of street and seduction. Filtered through luxury.
With this album It helped me realize. I have always liked The Neptunes/N.E.R.D. But only now have I truly learned to respect and appreciate them. While Pharrell prefers the spotlight. He wouldn’t have gotten as far without the quiet Chad Hugo.
I like Pharrell his swagger his openness to admit his geekiness and show off his intelligence and fashion. He is cool but not afraid to make a fool of himself. Starting trends instead of following them. Snowing the work instead of pretending. It was made magically showing his marching bad roots learning music and beats form the ground up.
He likes to pay homage to his influences but unlike film director Quentin Tarantino. He doesn’t try to recreate band feature his own spin on the influence. He just created his own original work with nods of respect to the influence.
Half the songs sound like early versions of next to final demos of a Michael Jackson song. Only the best and orchestration are finished. The vocals just need to be finalized. Pharrell tries a similar sounding Falsetto that makes it seem like that is who he is trying to channel and with the music having that R & B yet popish sound
over the years, I think I appreciate the album more now than I did at the time as when it first came out I was very disappointed. it’s not quite a classic, but it is well remembered sort of like a hit movie from your past. You appreciate it now as it is reflective of the time. In which it came out and what was in and you can see what it was trying to do, certain aspects of it now. At the time, it was a hit while you were disappointed, you just went with the flow and accepted it. not to mention most pride didn’t care about your opinions on it. They were still going to go out and get it or buy it..
So while You didn’t sing it praises but you just felt it was OK. asafter all you made an investment to buy the album most likely which means the quality should have been better to you personally as you went out of your way to procure it as now you pay for a service more with streaming and can listen to whatever you want, even though there are some Die Hard to still buy albums separately
As this one had so much anticipation and thougb playing it close to his usual output with N.E.R.D. Only here more seduction jams That feel street to a degree bit also luxurious
As well as having many guest features mainly allowing him To work on production and take a backseat if needed. as he knows has guest artists are tighter as lyristists. He does justice on his own, but has always been one to come in here and there to drop a verse and let it linger.
Though when he does have a song to himself. He seems to more either seduce or provide you with picturesque information that feels full and running over each other. As the songs that do work Are so string and proved to have legs. As they are still classic jams
He’s passable alone and reeks of talent. Thogub his true strength is in collaboration. As he pushes his partner to excel and they in turn do the same. That is where excellence is made.
As no matter what I say he was And still is an innovator all around. If anything that is why the album is disappointing. As you expect more And to be taken to new places and it feels like he only takes you to the familiar only spruced up a bit more.
BABY – starts off well though the longer it goes. it feels and sounds Like it is falling Apart
SHOW YOU HOW TO HUSTLE – sounds like a street testimony for the choir and congregation of the streets. as it sounds a little like neighborhood tabernacle
YOUNG GIRL – Sounds like a lost Prince infused song made in the 200’s but inspired by his 80’s Sound. Though the first half of the song is better than the second.
STANDOUT TRACKS
CAN I HAVE IT LIKE THAT (Feat. Gwen Stefani)
YOU CAN DO IT TOO
THAT GIRL (Feat. Snoop Dogg)
YOUNG GIRL (Feat. Jay-Z)
TAKE IF OFF (DIM THE LIGHTS)
STAY WITH ME
NUMBER ONE (Feat. Kanye West)
SHOW YOU HOW TO HUSTLE (Feat. Lauren)
6.2/10
Mainstream Foreigner 