Pharrell - In My Mind

Submitted by OTB - Aug 15, 2006

Pharrell

In My Mind

Let's be honest. We all thought one of two things when we first heard that the Hip-Hop/Pop hit maker/model arm candy Pharrel Williams (aka Skateboard P) was putting out a solo album; "Ahh shit, here goes another mix tape/album full of cameos" or "Ahh shit, there goes another producer trying to be the next Kanye." Right!?! No need to answer fool, I know I’m right. Well, to those who thought the first, you were right. Pharrel called in favors from the Neptune's usual suspects like Snoop Dogg, Jay-Z, Gwen Stefani, Nelly, Slim Thug, Pusha T (Clipse) and even Kanye West himself.....just going to prove that those who thought the latter of the 2 thoughts were right as well. With all this said, I expected the usual product that came from those types of collaborations, but to my surprise I was wrong.

The jump-off "Can I Have it Like That", the LP's lead single, gets right into the Hip-Hop side of things with a gritty baseline driven track coupled with a catchy hook assisted by Mrs. Stefani. This Hip-Hop theme continues into the next two tracks "How Does It Feel?" and the A Tribe Called Quest influenced "Raspy". Next is the extremely personal story telling on "Best Friend" & inspirational "You Can Do It Too", which oddly enough transfers into the ever so P.I.M.P "Keep It Playa" featuring Slim Thug. From this point on, as expected, things get typically commercial with R&B offerings like "That Girl" featuring Snoop, then to the obviously Michael Jackson influenced "Angel" and Prince influenced "Young Girl" featuring Jay-Z (Side Note: This is hands down one of the worst verses I've ever heard from Jay in my life.). The R&B theme continues to tracks like the sure fire strip club anthem "Take It Off" to "Stay With Me" featuring Pusha T to the not so surprisingly awful Nelly assisted "Baby". Surprisingly Pharrel gets very spiritual by giving it up to the most high on "Our Father", which sounds like a more prayer-ish/tribal version of "Jesus Walks". Oddly enough, the next track in line features Mr. Jesus Walks himself, Kanye West, on "Number One", the LP's second single. Things end off on a very Hip-Hop tip w/ my personal favorite "Show You How to Hustle" where the driving church organs run the listener to the block with stories of slinging the rock.

All in all, the half Hip-Hop half R&B LP that is "In My Mind" is actually not only sonically pleasing, but also very introspective for someone who is as reserved as Pharrel. If you’re looking for an album that appeals to the TRL crowd, the streets, conscious heads and god fearing folk, then "In My Mind" is worth the purchase. –OTB