Culling from just two of their previously-released albums, The Best of N.E.R.D. begins with 'Rock Star,' which features the lyric straight off the bat, "F**kin' posers", ... so, beware if there's kids around! That said, and heading into 'Lapdance,' well, just block the kids out of the (hopefully) soundproof room altogether whilst you indulge in this recording! All said, 'Lapdance' is quite easily THE catchiest track on this Best Of compilation!

The hit single, 'She Wants To Move' is next, followed by the slo-mo, bluesy swagger of 'Provider' and 'Maybe' (which should probably have been called 'Gone'!), and then we're back into the real (best) pace of the band with 'Fly or Die.'

'Brain' is interesting, but beat wise, the flow of 'Thrasher' is pure ghetto and shows the multi-platinum production team, known (of course) as The Neptunes to their fullest. That said, the sway of 'Run To The Sun' is rather delicious too! The bounce of 'Baby Doll' is infectious, but 'What's Wrong With Me' seems flat in comparison to most all this album.

Indeed, the reason why N.E.R.D. have completely skipped over tunes from their first two albums, completely ignoring their post-2004 musical life, is that after their second one, they switched labels from Virgin to Interscope! And, as this is released thru Virgin/EMI, well, they ain't too friendly in the sharing capacity with Interscope, evidently!

Which, is why; after the wonderful flow-tracks of 'Things Are Getting Better' and 'Lil' Suzy' featuring Kelis; and not forgetting the funk of 'Truth or Dare' (featuring Kelis and Pusha T), we end the album backtracking with remixes of songs we've just heard! Songs like 'Maybe' (Sander Kleinenberg Remix) and 'She Wants To Move' (Justice Remix).

Reviewed by Russell A. Trunk