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Common Sense Note

Parents need to know that Pharrell's new CD is filled with explicit sexual references and racist language, along with some provocative and well-produced lyrics.

Families can talk about using tough real-life experiences as material for songwriting. Pharrell sings poignantly about his grandmother's death, for example. You could also play "Angel" and let the vocals inspire a family-falsetto-singing contest.

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Common Sense Review

Reviewed By: Kathi Kamen Goldmark

As half of the Neptunes, along with partner Chad Hugo, Pharrell has enabled many a pop music career. A surprising array of stars, running the gamut from Britney Spears and Justin Timberlake to Snoop Dogg and Ol' Dirty Bastard, have benefited from the Neptunes' killer instincts as producers and arrangers.

Now at last, the world will have a chance to hear the music "in my mind" according to Pharrell. The results are mixed, with some lyrics that deal with contemporary issues and predictably sparkling arrangements. A collage of hip-hop and soul tunes, IN MY MIND sticks to tried-and-true formulas with few musical surprises. Heavy explicit content practically insures parental discomfort, but there are some beautiful and heartfelt lyrics as well -- addressing family, relationships, and how the death of a loved one affects the hearts of those left behind to feel their loss.

High points are the unapologetically raunchy "Can I Have It Like That," featuring Gwen Stefani, and "Keep It Playa," delivered with exuberant marching-band rhythms. Pharrell gets an "A" for effort on "Angel," in which he plods gamely through a retro-soul falsetto lead vocal that almost works -- if only we couldn't all feel him trying so hard to hit those high notes.

Despite a few awkward steps and a LOT of strong language (edited CD is clumsily done and not worth the trouble), Pharrell has come up with some visceral material dealing with real-life issues. Families can talk about using life's hardships to fuel art, and how refreshing it can be when artists take musical risks, even if they are not 100 percent successful.

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Content
		CS	adults	kids
Sexual Content Very explicit.
Violence Some violent imagery in the lyrics.
Language Very graphic and strong.
Message
	Social Behavior Racist and sexist language throughout.
	Commercialism Several pop icons are mentioned, including Stephen King, Oprah, and eBay.
	Drug/Alcohol/Tobacco Several references to drugs.

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