Korn no longer kicking-ass
Korn: Self Titled
I've been one of the biggest Korn fans out there for years. I picked up their first CD when I first saw the “Blind” video debut on the Power 30 on MuchMusic.
The CD was actually in the “discount” bin because it wasn't selling at Sam the Record Man (that probably dates me, huh?). I've stuck with the band through the good (“Korn,” “See You on the Other Side,” “Take a Look in the Mirror,”) the bad (“Life is Peachy,” “Issues,”) and the controversial (“Follow the Leader” and “Untouchables”) and now we come to another chapter of the Korn saga minus guitarist Brian “Head” Welch, who left even before the last CD, and drummer David Silveria, who is now on an indefinite hiatus. What does this opus from the remaining three do for a long time fan? Not too much, but I'm not saying the CD is absolute garbage by any means.
Before I get into what I find to be the negatives of the album, I'm going to say that I purchased the deluxe version of the CD that features not only a DVD that showcases the making of the new CD, but a fold out poster, postcards featuring pictures of Munky, Davis and Fieldy, a bonus song “Sing Swallow,” a cool looking case and an offer for a FREE*T-shirt.
The DVD is really well done and shows the band practicing or performing all the songs on the CD their recording process and the awesome drumming and drum kit of session drummer Terry Bozzio.
When I went to actually sit down and enjoy the CD, I was really disappointed. I'm not sure if I wanted the CD to kick me in the nuts like most of their other releases, but I found this one to be even more of the same, but with less of a bang. Most of the songs aren't as catchy and the overall tempo of the CD is slightly slower than I would have liked, especially with Bozzio behind the drum kit.
“Starting Over” should have been an upbeat leadoff to the album but it seems like it drags on. Speaking of dragging on, “Kiss” seems to be one of the band's favourites on the DVD but this song really goes nowhere for me. The lyrics and the tempo are just bland and you'd think that Trent Reznor was in the band with some of the background synth effects. “Do What They Say” and “Ever Be” can also be added to the comments above.
Lead off single “Evolution” is pretty good and shows the Jonathan Davis is still giving it his all when approaching a new album. “Bitch, We Have a Problem” is a fun song about split personalities and is pretty damn catchy. By far, I think that the best songs on this CD are “Killing” and “I Will Protect You,” because as a lover of the metal, these songs make me want to get back into a pit or pogo during a live show.
Start sending me your opinions and let's see where you Korn fans stand. I have to give this one about three-out-of-five with hopes that it will grow on me.
(*Free if you don't mind shelling out $15 US for postage. Is that right?)
I've been one of the biggest Korn fans out there for years. I picked up their first CD when I first saw the “Blind” video debut on the Power 30 on MuchMusic.
The CD was actually in the “discount” bin because it wasn't selling at Sam the Record Man (that probably dates me, huh?). I've stuck with the band through the good (“Korn,” “See You on the Other Side,” “Take a Look in the Mirror,”) the bad (“Life is Peachy,” “Issues,”) and the controversial (“Follow the Leader” and “Untouchables”) and now we come to another chapter of the Korn saga minus guitarist Brian “Head” Welch, who left even before the last CD, and drummer David Silveria, who is now on an indefinite hiatus. What does this opus from the remaining three do for a long time fan? Not too much, but I'm not saying the CD is absolute garbage by any means.
Before I get into what I find to be the negatives of the album, I'm going to say that I purchased the deluxe version of the CD that features not only a DVD that showcases the making of the new CD, but a fold out poster, postcards featuring pictures of Munky, Davis and Fieldy, a bonus song “Sing Swallow,” a cool looking case and an offer for a FREE*T-shirt.
The DVD is really well done and shows the band practicing or performing all the songs on the CD their recording process and the awesome drumming and drum kit of session drummer Terry Bozzio.
When I went to actually sit down and enjoy the CD, I was really disappointed. I'm not sure if I wanted the CD to kick me in the nuts like most of their other releases, but I found this one to be even more of the same, but with less of a bang. Most of the songs aren't as catchy and the overall tempo of the CD is slightly slower than I would have liked, especially with Bozzio behind the drum kit.
“Starting Over” should have been an upbeat leadoff to the album but it seems like it drags on. Speaking of dragging on, “Kiss” seems to be one of the band's favourites on the DVD but this song really goes nowhere for me. The lyrics and the tempo are just bland and you'd think that Trent Reznor was in the band with some of the background synth effects. “Do What They Say” and “Ever Be” can also be added to the comments above.
Lead off single “Evolution” is pretty good and shows the Jonathan Davis is still giving it his all when approaching a new album. “Bitch, We Have a Problem” is a fun song about split personalities and is pretty damn catchy. By far, I think that the best songs on this CD are “Killing” and “I Will Protect You,” because as a lover of the metal, these songs make me want to get back into a pit or pogo during a live show.
Start sending me your opinions and let's see where you Korn fans stand. I have to give this one about three-out-of-five with hopes that it will grow on me.
(*Free if you don't mind shelling out $15 US for postage. Is that right?)
