CD reviews: N.E.R.D.; Elvis Costello

N.E.R.D, "Nothing" (Star Trak/Interscope)

Finally, the New Age, post-disco, smooth-jazz, electro-funk album of blowhard eroticism and goofy mysticism that hip-hop has been waiting for.

"Nothing" is the fourth N.E.R.D album. It's unerringly odd, more simpatico with the downward-spiral years of the Doors or the triumphant flamboyance of Queen, filtered through a softer version of the hip-hop-inflected rock that made early N.E.R.D albums so invigorating.

"Nothing" is full of dirty come-ons, including the billowy "Hypnotize U," produced by Daft Punk, the only outside producers here. A verse from Shay on "Perfect Defect" sounds as if it was lifted from the party-rap jesters LMFAO. As a guest on "Party People," rapper T.I. can barely keep his slick talk in his mouth.

But Pharrell Williams has stranger things in mind. On "Life as a Fish" he traces the steps of evolution. "I've Seen the Light/Inside of Clouds" is ghoulish.

Near the end N.E.R.D regains traction. "God Bless Us All" is a thoughtful, rough-edged soul song. "Nothing on You" has the classic punchy Neptunes drums. And "Hot-n-Fun" has an easy thump. It's clear here that the Neptunes are again outsiders, back to being nerds.

JON CARAMANICA, NEW YORK TIMES

Collaborating once again with T-Bone Burnett and his crew of musical magicians, Costello fearlessly takes on rampant greed (the title track), society's discards ("Jimmie Standing in the Rain"), abandoned love ("I Lost You"), romantic paranoia ("Dr. Watson, I Presume") and myriad other topics in what feels like a sequel song cycle to 2009's "Secret, Profane & Sugarcane."

Costello and his accomplices cover the gamut -- including the Brit pub-rock thump of "National Ransom," the stunning jazzy pop of "Slow Drag With Josephine" and the dark cabaret lament of "You Hung the Moon." At times, he happily ignores the hobgoblin of consistent time signature and revels in oblique lyrics.

But anyone who loves the English language should marvel at his poking into its nooks and crannies with phrases such as "ravening maw," "colliery town" and "vile vaudevillians." In Costello's infinitely gifted hands, pop music circa 2010 is anything but "only rock 'n' roll."