Production team Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo, AKA the Neptunes, decided to release their own album in 2002, the critically acclaimed and Shortlist Prize-winning In Search Of..., under the name N.E.R.D. Two years later, the follow-up, Fly Or Die, was released and, I must admit, it's a bit disappointing. I really liked N.E.R.D.'s debut, which was an eclectic and inventive mix of pop, rap, and R&B, while this set seems to focus more on the harder-edged material. Now the Neptunes aren't known for being brilliant songwriters, but some of the lyrics on Fly Or Die or completely laughable, even for them. Also, the production and instrumentals are more overdone and masks the lyrics and vocals quite a bit. Overall, this sophomore effort sounds a bit sloppier and more immature than their debut.

The album's opener, Don't Worry About It, is a fairly lighthearted jam with constant repetitions of "She's bad, bad, bad a*s" at the beginning and end. With punctuating guitars and Pharrell's off-key screeching, this song is rather stuttery and funky. Fly Or Die is an ode to that misunderstood teen angst that we all hate, though it's actually quite danceable. I don't like the half-shouted hook, though, but the quirky, No Doubt-ish production sets a nice atmosphere. Despite featuring those infinitely annoying Madden brothers from Good Charlotte, Jump is a surprisingly good track. Lyrically, it has a similar concept as the title cut, but this song is highly energetic and pumping with crashing guitars and redundant synthesizers. Definitely one of the album's best offerings.

The short Backseat Love is more reminiscent of the material on N.E.R.D.'s first record because its sound is more fresh and funky, relying more on the hip-hop elements that made the Neptunes such popular producers. Still, the guitars are there as well as the pounding drums, and I'm sure all of you perverted listeners will love the x-rated lyrical concept as much as I did. ;) Anyway, the first single, She Wants To Move, is bass-heavy and has throbbing, danceable production. However, it's hardly catchy and its overall sound is rather mixed up and confusing, making it rather skippable. I like the more laid-back vibe of Breakout with its acoustic guitars, synths galore, and more motivational lyrical concept. The shouts of "PUSH PEOPLE!" during the chorus are kind of funny, too. This track is another one of the record's more impressive tunes because it sounds so simple after those previous five overproduced cuts.

The lighthearted Wonderful Place opens with some Andy Griffith-esque whistling and unusually soft, subdued vocals from Pharrell. The song itself is very light and springy, with calming guitars and horns and perfectly layered vocals. Another one of the album's best tunes. The hidden track, Waiting For U, is a classier, string-accompanied song that tells the story of a mother rescuing her baby or something to that effect. Acoustic guitars and congo drums are also present on this interesting tune, which is entirely different from everything else on the record. Drill Sergeant is an energetic anti-war song with driving electric guitars and handclaps. It's a bit more melodic than most of the harder rock songs on the album with a concrete lyrical concept that isn't as immature as previous songs. It's definitely funky and strong.

Perseverance is another hidden track that puts the focus on the intricate percussion as well as the few occasional resounding guitar chords. Pharrell sings in a rather low, raspy way that adds to the overall angry feel of the track; he's backed up by some more deep shouting on the hook. Lyrically, it sounds like he's fed up with fame. Anyway, the next track, Thrasher, is another brash, angsty rock tune resplendent with electric guitars and shouts of "F*ck him up!" on the hook. It's meant to appeal to all the angry, misunderstood teens out there and, though I like the slightly industrial feel to this tune, the concept is rather tired. Maybe, which can be heard in a few satellite radio commercials, features Lenny Kravitz on guitar and ?uestlove from The Roots on drums and both do a great job - the guitar punctuates the track well while the drums help it switch tempos throughout. The overall sound of this cut is a little 70's-ish with great production and keyboards; one of the album's strongest offerings.

The Way She Dances is closer to what was on In Search Of... because it brings back that danceable R&B/hip-hop element. Lyrically, it's just plain stupid - "I am in your aquarium/Are you a mermaid or something/Is it possible to marry one?/Big tits, a fat a*s and turquoise hair..." - but the stuttering guitar and percussion make up for it. It's mildly catchy as well. I don't really like Chariot Of Fire, as it has a rather boozy, boring sound with a lazy guitar loop and annoyingly high vocals. The production isn't much either; it's too sparkly and out there for me. The lyrical concept is decent, though tired. Find My Way, the final hidden cut, could have been left off the album entirely because, though it has a nice, slightly softer sound to it, it's completely unremarkable. The usual guitar-and-drum banter hardly sets it apart.

Overall, I do really like Fly Or Die. I probably even like it more than N.E.R.D.'s debut. I just wish they would have experimented more with this record because, although I feel In Search Of... was more than a tad bit overrated, the variety and combining of styles was refreshing and unique. On Fly Or Die, the guys sound like they're just trying to make your average, run-of-the-mill rock record with just a tiny bit of hip-hop flavor thrown in for good measure. In that sense, this album is disappointing. However, because it's not quite as eclectic, Fly Or Die will probably be easier to get into, though it took me a few spins before I actually liked it. It's not one of the best records of the year, nor one of the worst, but N.E.R.D. should go back to that experimental sound that won them the Shortlist Prize. Even if I wasn't crazy about it, it was different and it set them apart.

Repeat: "Thrasher," "Drill Sergeant," and "Wonderful Place"

Skip: "She Wants To Move," "Chariot Of Fire," and "Find My Way"

Other Albums By This Artist: In Search Of...

Recommended: Yes