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N*E*R*Ding out
I completely understand the idea of great minds thinking alike, but this is starting to get scary.
It was a mere two weeks ago in this very space that I proclaimed my recent obsession with the song “Rip” from Portishead’s brilliant new Third album. Soon thereafter, word (and video) hits the internet of Radiohead making a valiant attempt at covering it.
Then I was fortunate enough to catch N*E*R*D rehearse for their June 10 performance on “Jimmy Kimmel Live” on the Pontiac Garage stage set up behind the El Capitan theater on Hollywood (thanks Sarah!). As the band warmed up, they subtly drifted into a great version of Bob Marley’s “Waiting in Vain.” I realized that I was sporting my Marley Tuff Gong messenger bag the whole time. This mind control thing is pretty cool!
So while I figure out how to use my newfound powers to convince Kanye West and Daft Punk to co-produce my debut album, it’s the stupid-fun of the new N*E*R*D CD Seeing Sounds providing the world domination soundtrack. While Pharrell channels his eternal angst-ridden teenager/outer smart-ass, the Neptunes are quietly remixing their production game. Deep album cuts like the Steely-Dan-gone-arena-rock of “Sooner or Later” to the lothario disco of “You Know What” show the duo finding entirely new ways to freak your speakers.
Your sour-puss wannabe music "critic" uncle will hate this sonic equivalent of a summer popcorn movie, so please, turn it up...
—Scott T. Sterling
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