N.E.R.D. offer another tantalizing freak-out

Writing and producing hits for artists such as Jay-Z, Britney Spears and Usher, it might seem difficult to save enough strong ideas for own project. But that's exactly what the all-star production tandem The Neptunes (Pharrell Williams and Chad Hugo) -- along with collaborator Shae Haley -- have again pulled off on the third disc from their group N.E.R.D., "Seeing Sounds."

N.E.R.D. batter the brain with their trademark electric funk, with pulsating hip-hop beats backing rock, snotty punk and silky soul as well. It seems working as The Neptunes is all about business, while N.E.R.D. serves as an outlet of joy and personal expression.

They flex Mike Watt-style bass grooves on "Time For Some Action," rip a page right out of the De La Soul playbook on "Yeah You" and use tight electric bass to power the staccato crunk rhythms of "Anti Matter." They also marry funky bass and Latin percussion on "Kill Joy," offer the hysterical soul-rock piano jam "Everyone Nose" and give garage rock a nice injection of soulful hip-hop on disc closer "Laugh About It."

If you're looking for something smoother try the somber soul ballads "Sooner or Later" and "Love Bomb."

In the liner notes, Pharrell suggests listening to the disc in the shower with the lights off because "the lights off and constant flow of water promotes the main affects of Synesthesia; Seeing Sounds."

With N.E.R.D. hitting it out of the park again, I'm almost willing to try.

CHECK THIS TRACK OUT: Complete with snapping guitar riff and floating organ lines, "You Know What" can only be described as a stone cold disco jam and is one of the most fun songs on the disc.