So, look in the mirror KoRn. What do you see? I'll tell you what I see. I see a group of GROWN MEN that had 2 good albums in them and can't progress musically. Sigh. This is it. This is officially the LAST KoRn album I will EVER buy. Let me start by saying that I was a HUGE KoRn fan back in the day. I liked them since high school when I was about 18 years old. Currently, I'm a nearly 26-year-old graduate student.
When I was 18 years old, I was a little "angsty"...a little "Goth," (though then it certainly wasn't all the rage that it is now), a little cynical, a little rebellious. But times have changed. I grew facial hair; I experienced hardships that have made me a better man today. I have felt loss, pain, aggression, love, despair, alienation and all of those lovely things associated with life and well...adulthood. I would now consider myself an adult, not a grown-up by any means...but certainly an adult. So, after my boring little spiel about my life what does this have to do with KoRn? I'm glad you asked...here it is:
I GREW UP.
Yes, I certainly did. But I'm not extraordinary. No, no, not by any means. I think that it's natural for any human being to mature, to grow, to gain knowledge, either by books or by experience. Apparently, KoRn is immune to this.
For 6 straight albums we hear songs about despair, anger, frustration and lyrics LOADED with obscenities talking about violence, misogynistic and homophobic subject matter, and abuse. 6 albums deep and we're still getting lyrics like the ever eloquent:
"Shut up, I'll F*CK YOU UP!"
Oh, how clever. I don't think a 30-year-old songwriter could ever express anger so clearly and succinctly as that.
Here's a disclaimer to all the teenagers that LOVE this album. KoRn are 30-year-old men with wives, jobs and MILLIONS of dollars. What do they have to be angry about? YOU HAVE ENOUGH MONEY FOR THERAPY NOW!
Has KoRn never thought in their 10 years of putting out albums to make a "happy" or even "hopeful" song? How about a song with an ultra fast tempo? How about a song with a punk-rock influence? How about a prog-rock song? How about a thrash-metal song? How about changing their guitar tone? How about even playing a "GASP" 6-string guitar on a song or two? Holy crap, NO WAY...that might actually offer some VARIETY on an album!
KoRn's first album was one of my all time favorites. What made it different than most of other KoRn releases? It was honest. Hearing Jonathan Davis cry at the end of that album, hearing the very personal lyrics of Faget and what was that?...a bagpipe? I had NEVER heard metal so brutally honest without all of the macho posturing typical of the genre at that time. This album was different, unique, and powerful. It was musically interesting, and groundbreaking, it was truly a musical masterpiece.
KoRn's only REAL musical turn was the critically panned Issues which is actually a very solid album. KoRn actually attempted to mature musically. The vocal melodies were outstanding, the production pristine, and the conception was also fairly decent. Although, upon repeat listening the interludes get tiresome, the album as a whole (minus the interludes) was packed with some very well written-songs. An equally amazing feat considering the short length of time between Life is Peachy and it's release.
Untouchables was utter garbage, and I had about given up at this point...but I held out hope that maybe, just maybe KoRn was going to come through.
Boy, was I WRONG. When I dropped this CD in my Discman, listened to 2 or 3 songs and skimmed the rest, I knew it. I knew it was over. This album is just TRASH. A stinking pile of redundant, recycled, trite, TRASH. Here's a warning, ANYTIME a musical group tells you they're producing their OWN album AND that they're returning to their roots: TAKE IT WITH A GRAIN OF SALT.
The production is terrible, sludge, sludge, and MORE sludge. The songs on this album are so "samey," boring and uninspired that the only reason to point any of them out individually is to rip a particularly bad song to shreds, or state some positive new ideas. That being said 2 songs that just BEG for an evaluation:
Alive - Does ANYONE notice that this song is ALMOST EXACTLY the same as Need To on their self-titled album?
Nas? Nas? So let's add this to our "I'll get some rap/hip-hop metal cred by using a "real MC" in our song" list. Other notable artists that made it in the KoRn hall-of-fame: Ice Cube, Q-Tip, Slim Kid Tre (from The Pharcyde). All they need now is Outkast, B-Real, and Jay-Z.
I can't express my disappointment with this album enough. I feel cheated, betrayed even. I don't usually like making judgments about people, but KoRn seem to be a bunch of guys who have not matured as people, or musicians. People learn from their mistakes, they learn from their anger, they learn from their disappointments, failures, etc... You know what happens next? THEY MOVE ON AND MATURE!
I have seen very little musical growth from KoRn. If you CAN pirate this album, do so. It's not worth spending a dime on. KoRn has lost every shred of integrity they may have once had with this release. Anyone in their 20's who still likes metal should do their best to avoid this at all costs.
Instead, go buy a Meshuggah, Sevendust, Glassjaw, or Thrice album if you want some aggression and musicality...
Well diehard Korn fans: This is what you were waiting for, and this is what you got. I was pretty disapointed by this album. And I certanly hope Korn hasen't sold out yet. Rumor has it that their in studio working on a new album. I saw them at Ozzfest last year, and they were great. But I'm not really interested to see them this year at Projekt Revolution. I'm gonna go to Ozzfest 2004 instead. anywhoo, here's how I'd rate this album:Right Now - A good heavy song to start off the album. [...] up music video though. 5/5
Counting On Me - A soft, very dark song simular to somthing you'd find on Issues. 4/5
Here It Comes Again - Simular to Counting on me, just more mental. 5/5
Deep Inside - Simular to Here It Comes Again, just even more Krazy!!! 5/5
Did My Time - My favorite on the album!! I't would be a [heck] of a lot better if they didn't play it to death on the radio.
But then again, it's one of the few clean Korn songs. 6/5
Everything i've known - Munky, Head, Fieldy, and David did a good intro. Vocals simular to Did My Time. 5/5
Play Me - An almost unlistenable song on the album. Rap & Metal don't mix well. 2/5
Alive - I'd imagine a crowd moshing to this song, despite it's sort of un-heaviness. 4/5
Lets Do This Now - Nice Bagpipe intro. Gets hevier though. 4/5
I'm Done - Nice intro, and a good song. But this tone is getting a little repetitive 4.5/5
Y'll Want A Single - Funny, my second favorite on the album. 5/5
When Will It End - Good, but i'm a little sick of this tone, they sort of over-did it for this song. Korn, work a little harder next time. I don't want to lose faith in you. 3.5/5
One - I've seen this song played live at Ozzfest. It's awsome.
Though It can't compare to the Metallica Original 5/5
This was chickens*it compared to the first album. here's how I'd rate the albums
1) Korn
2) Issues
3) Follow The Leader
4) Untouchables
5) Mirror
6) Life is Peachy
Peace Out
This record is simpily one word amazing....this is the korn i love finnally they have gone back to there roots and they are still kicking ass this record is amazing and powerfull everysong is heavy and catches the eye this album is perfect if you like any heavy metal especially the old korn well the songs....1. Right Now. 1st single if im not mistaken....Great sounds like linkin park in the bridge johns voice is very different on this new album very impressive though....this is a great single (10/10)
2. Break Some Off. Reminds me of a slipknot song very heavy korns never really made a song with such distorted vocals...alot of explictness but this song is perfect for a head bangers ball show...(10/10)
3. Counting On Me. Sounds like an issues song nice lyrics with a heavy sound great bridge....reminds me of something from the old stuff though the more i listen to it..great song (10/10)
4. Here It Comes Again. Awsome song....very new i love the chours johns high pitched vocals really bring the song to life the Bridge is good reminds me of the old days.... (11/10)
5. Deep Inside. The verses in this song really show how john can reall sing his voice is beautiful in this song great bridge.....its more new than old (10/10)
6. Did My Time. Oh yeah this one is awsome right here the theme to Tomb Raider 2 i love this song the whole thing is perfect this is a solid one by korn...(10/10)
7. Everything Ive Known. This is probably the greatest song ive ever heard korn do....it is very powerfull very very powerfull the bridge is beautiful....John's voice is the strongest ive ever heard it this song should be the 2nd single has alot of meaing i can relate too (perfect)
8. Play Me feat (Nas) . This song has some meaning to it its pretty good the rappings good....nice intro slaped great bass by mr. fieldy its heavy and funky it gets beter when jon gets in there...also has i cool intro like sepultra (10/10)
9. Alive . Awsome great remake alot better than the original this song johns vocals are hard and all grunged up this is a great song if u like the old korn alot. (11/10)
10. Let's Do This Now. Omg this is like the heaviest by korn this song kicks talking about beating someones ass....The bag pipes are back !! its like the old and new korn put together...this song kicks just about every song by korn away.... (perfect)
11. Im Done. I love this song it is a very different approach nice heavy i love the chours this is good for a single maybe... (11/10)
12. Ya'll Want A Single. lmao this song made me laugh when i first heard it...Awsome beat this songs hard with alot of screaming...would be funny but i dont think this song could ever be a single.. (11/10)
13. When Will This End . Like predictable or lies off there 1st Cd exept the chours... this song is a good closer its awsome i didnt like it at 1st until the bridge kicks in and then the chours perfectly played out.... (11/10)
14. One Live (secret track)...upsetting.......i wanted a studio of this song would of blown everything away but...i guess not but im glad its on here its better than nothing this in my opinion is korns best live song johns voice is beautiful and soothing (11/10)
can't wait until the next cd
