Corporate Line: Fly or Die is the second album from N.E.R.D, picking up where the groups debut, In Search Of…, left off. “It’s evolution, for real,” says Shay. “There’s an entire dimension to music and life that we touched on with In Search Of…, but that was only the beginning. Those were only doors to this other dimension and with this album we are there.”
The Good: Seriously?
The Average:
“Drill Sergeant” – A Monkee-esque song that falls apart half way through—if only they kept up with the chorus.
“Thrasher” – The chorus is atrocious although the rest of the song is at least interesting with an over-the-top, sexy high-falsetto. N.E.R.D. can’t get all the pieces to fit.
The Ugly:
“Don’t Worry About It” – If Simon Cowell were listening he’d say: “I imagine you at a wedding in 1985 and being asked to leave.” Nauseating.
“Fly Or Die” – You can’t be serious. Are these the same brilliant producers who’ve created half the hits in America?
“Backseat Love” – Okay, so they love ‘70s rock, but they don’t have the talent to mimic an average garage band.
“Jump” – If this CD turned up on an A&R desk they’d throw it out the window. Frisbee anybody?
“Maybe” – Not only are the vocals completely pitchy, but it sounds like a bad night at the karaoke bar.
Frankly: The guys in N.E.R.D. aren’t great musicians—hell Hugo has only been playing guitar for a year or so–it’s obvious with the two or three chords. If the weak guitar licks weren’t bad just listen to the snares. Either I’m completely out of touch or N.E.R.D. is the worst rock record I’ve heard this year. The next time N.E.R.D. thinks about making a record maybe they can look for outside advice—and hopefully that unbiased party will tell them to stick with producing.
+ Rae Gun
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