hen super-producer Pharrell Williams says at the beginning of “Grindin’”, “The world is about to feel something that they felt before” he means it. The Clipse, brothers Pusha T and Malice, wunderkind of the Neptunes, strive to create an album full of boisterous rhymes and attitude. They succeed admirably. In addition, the Neptunes, everybody’s favorite production team have pushed themselves to create their greatest beats yet.

The disc opens with the bombastic “Intro”, Pusha T begins the disk by painting a vivid picture, “Out in Panama in that amazing sun, I’m amazing son.” The words come across as simple, but their delivery is very effective. The pounding rhythm slams all sense out of your body and forces you to shake it.

“Grindin’” introduces us to the rhythm that we have been waiting for all along. The most pervasive tone in this song has already been introduced to us at the beginning of the CD, and at this point has become a brilliant motif that the Neptunes do not skimp on through the album. The heavy thump recalls at once gunshots, slamming doors and children pounding rebelliously on desks. The lack of a dominant melody forces the groups voice up front- they are speaking directly to us.

“Virginia” moves along with a slow, stewing menace. Concise bells toll along in the background. Everything is very minor key, very foreboding. The lyrics deal with the drug dealer lifestyle, as well as life in Virginia. “Cot Damn” walks the line between cheesy braggadocio and sophisticated posturing. Through the album, the Clipse bring up money in a different light than many rappers concerned with “keeping it real”. Pusha T summarizes it thus, “So much dough, I can’t swear I won’t change.”

My one big problem with this disc is that the brothers’ voices are virtually indistinguishable. It is difficult to tell Malice from Pusha T, they both have a similar slightly nasal delivery. Fortunately, the disc saves itself from monotony with multiple guests; Pharrell lends his versatile vocals to many of the album’s hooks. Faith Evans vocals are featured in the chorus to the excellent “Ma, I don’t love her”. Her blasé delivery provides an excellent counterpoint to the melodically bizarre production.

The beats make you want to move your butt, the lyrics are real, dramatic, and even charmingly flawed (quoting nursery rhymes in “Grindin’”? What’s that about?). The album even manages to overcome the second half slump so prevalent in today’s rap album. In fact, some of the strongest cuts come from the second half. “Ego” struts about as if it owns the place, and “Gangsta Lean” proves it, Pharrell’s smooth falsetto hook floating above the Clipse, who calmly boast their way around the track. Lord Willin' is a wonderful debut from a promising group.