MUSIC REVIEWS
Pharrell - In My Mind
David Allun Jones
One-half of the source behind how the boundaries of pop, R&B, hip hop and rock have been redefined in the ‘00’s, Pharrell Williams, The Neptunes’ more recognizable partner, has carefully forged out a solo career all on his own, despite not being a very talented rapper or singer. Over the years, though, the shining moments displayed on the distinctively odd R&B joint “Frontin’” and a pleasing intro verse to Snoop Dogg’s minimal masterpiece “Drop It Like It’s Hot”, not to mention the sk8r boi rock/ rap fusion that produced the first NERD project, have decidedly made the idea of a Pharrell album not seem as pointless as it should. But, nearly a year after it was initially supposed to be released, all the blown up hype surrounding In My Mind has slowly seeped out due to constant pushbacks, lackluster singles and the re-realization that Pharrell REALLY isn’t a very talented rapper or singer.
As the skater culture Pharrell helped make an urban phenomenon reaches a hip hop peak of sorts (thanks to Lupe Fiasco’s “Kick, Push” and The Pack’s catchy hook “Got my Vans on but they look like sneakers”), it’s disappointing to see the hit maker not capitalize on it’s appeal by further bringing the outcast-cool, Tony Hawk idolatry to the forefront. Instead, Williams heats up stale tracks with depthless life affirmations, geeky rich boy arrogance and a clichd loverman shtick, all themes that we’ve honestly come to expect from his work in the past, but happen to really sound half-baked and silly when bombarded track after track with them. Throw in a monotonous flow and karaoke crooning and the inside joke never transcends into the ironic charm he cruised on before.
More distress comes from the production angle. You would’ve thought that Pharrell would’ve kept a goody for himself, but songs fly by with nary a standout amongst them. The Neptunes’ signature “anything goes” mantra remains with dramatic instrumental breaks that shift a cut completely mid-song, giving the album a crazed ambience that never quite works. Even the guest performers (to which include Kanye West, Slim Thug, Gwen Stefani and Jay Z) appear lost, making purposeless cameos as if Pharrell had held them hostage inside the studio until they contributed something as payback for his input into their multi-platinum careers.
Setting itself up as this must-hear multi-million dollar summer event, In My Mind puts Pharrell to work at trying to find a fitting home for his wildly inventive imagination, but it’s only “in his mind” that his style manages to fully succeed. For years, the tireless hit maker seemed oh-so-eager to grab some of the spotlight for his own artistic tangent, but now that he’s shown what he can do when given the opportunity, falsetto hooks and keyboard riffs is where he should remain, leaving the performing to the real entertainers.
