When I was growing up, I had always heard of the band Korn but for inexplicable reasons never got around to listening to their albums. After hearing that their bassist Brian “Head” Welch had converted to Christianity seemingly out of the blue, I was curious as to why he felt the need to leave the band. Were their lyrics dark, depressing, sometimes anti-religious? Absolutely, and I can completely understand why people despise Korn, who are not a pretty band to look at or listen to at parts. It’s an acquired taste.
To me, they are one of the better and more influential bands of the mid-90’s, establishing a sound that is quite unique (very bass heavy) and a lead singer that is as troubled as he is talented. After listening to every album but the last one they put out (called Untitled, that just screams “we’re lazy” to me), this band definitely left its mark on the music world (they’ve since broken up due to Welch’s departure among other reasons).
Here are my reviews of their first seven albums:
(1994) Korn (***1/2 out of ****) – You want an anti-school bullies record that holds nothing back and is brutally honest throughout its every track? This is your album. It’s no wonder this band would become one of the favorites of kids growing up who had to face people at school or work they despised because they belittled them. This is an album that lets go of all the inner rage and seething anger that resides in some individuals, including the lead singer of the band, Jon Davis. Whether it’s trying to escape from yourself (the slam bang opening track “Blind”), a nightmarish take on ancient lullabies (the especially memorable “Shoots and Ladders”), a collective “get out of my face” rant (“Faget”), or a haunting and painful look at child abuse (“Daddy”, a very personal track about how Davis was sexually abused by one of his parents’ friends as a young boy), this is everything a great rock album should hold. Certainly an album not for everyone, only for those that can relate to the things Davis is so open about. If the ending of “Daddy” doesn’t draw any sympathy from you for this man, you might want to check if you have a pulse. Best Tracks – “Daddy”, “Shoots and Ladders”, “Faget”
(1996) Life is Peachy (*** out of ****) – Although not as raw feeling and an album that strays violently and unnecessarily at one point, this was a solid sophomore effort, with a creepy and creative album cover to boot. Davis literally roars his way into the album, with vocals that sound like a scampering animal ready to pounce on its prey (“Twist”). Following this is the best track on the album, titled “Chi”, a song describing the dissatisfaction life brings at times, and the cry for others to recognize the tortured thoughts that inhabit ones mind when depression kicks in. The most popular track, “A.D.I.D.A.S.”, is arguably the catchiest, as well as the most difficult to actually admire. It’s alarming as well as original, in which Davis claims that he doesn’t really care what the girl’s name is, as long as she’s attractive so he can hook up with her. You know what’s sad about this? He’s not alone. Many people (not just men) fall into this thought process. To me, this track signifies the diseased and deprived state of mind many people have assumed nowadays. It’s a sick and inhumane track, but undoubtedly an important look on the uncaring ways people approach one another nowadays. This album is just as personal as their debut album, one that still keeps a firm grasp on inner thoughts and feelings, and how one can feel so claustrophobic when somebody else can’t actually see or feel what you’re feeling inside. Best Tracks – “Chi”, “Mr. Rogers”, “A.D.I.D.A.S.”
(1998) Follow the Leader (***1/2 out of ****) – Many argue that this is Korn at their most mature point. Although their first album proved to be impossible to topple, this is their second best effort put forth. With three opening tracks that kick the door straight in (with a cool little scat at the ¾ mark of “Freak on a Leash”) a middle portion that delves into rap/rock territory (Ice Cube and Limp Bizkit’s Fred Durst make appearances), and a final section that features some memorable choruses and heavy guitar work – this is a very well done album. “Seed” proves to be a one of a kind track, a song dealing with the innocence Davis sees in his son, and the fact that it’s what he “used to be”. “Freak on a Leash” opens beautifully, with haunting instrumental work coupled with whispering vocals that claim, “something takes a part of me”. More importantly, this album proved to be a successful mesh of hard rock, pop, as well as inserting rap when appropriate (“All in the Family”, a duel diss track featuring Durst and Davis, is very unexpected). Not many artists or albums can pull this off successfully; Follow the Leader is a rare exception. Best Tracks – “Freak on a Leash”, “Seed”, “It’s On!”
(1999) Issues (*** out of ****) – Yet another album that combines a ton of elements into one package, Issues proved to be another admirable effort. Although it doesn’t possess the one or two tracks that really separate themselves from the rest of the CD’s offerings, it is still a slightly better record than Life is Peachy. As far as the lyrical content, nothing has changed. Sometimes this can be seen as immature and recycled, but Korn is like Linkin Park in a lot of ways in the sense that if it’s not broke – don’t fix it. Issues has a lot of really good tracks, but not one great or outstanding song, and this weighs the album down a bit. However, songs like “Falling Away From Me”, “Trash”, “Beg For Me”, and “Wake Up” provide their memorable parts. Korn has always aimed to provide a haunting atmosphere to each of their albums, and Issues is no exception. Best Tracks – “Falling Away From Me”, “Beg For Me”, “Trash”
(2002) Untouchables (***1/2 out of ****) – Awesome. This is the one word that describes this album the best. Hard-hitting bass work? Check. Incredibly sung choruses? Yep. Consistently changing tones that go from dark and ominous to angry and violently alive? You got it. I said earlier that Korn is their best album, but ask me another day, I might say this album features them at their absolute best. Although not as lyrically raw as their self-titled album and not as brave as Follow the Leader, this album is bursting with originality and energy at its every turn. Even when lyrically it becomes hard to listen too (the sexist “Beat It Upright”), you still can’t help but admire this band from a musical perspective. The 4-5-6 tracks (“Hollow Life”, “Bottled Up Inside”, and “Thoughtless”) on display here are perfect. One is (dare I say the word again) haunting (“Hollow Life”), one is unrelentingly upset (“Bottled Up Inside”), and the last is a beautiful mesh of both (the best track on the album, “Thoughtless”, featuring crackling vocal work from Davis). Even the extremely personal track “Alone I Break” comes close to perfection. This is one of the better albums that I’ve heard released in the last ten years, without question.Best Tracks – “Hollow Life”, “Bottled Up Inside”, “Thoughtless”
(2003) Take a Look in the Mirror (*** out of ****) – Shedding their combination of rock and rap vocals (except for one track featuring Nas, “Play Me”) and beats, Korn decided to instead push full steam ahead with its heavy bass play and super anti-social lyrics with this CD. The result is a polarizing record, in which some fans and critics dismissed them as “has-beens” while some believe it was their best to date (“Rolling Stone” believed this). To me, it’s neither. It’s a solid album, although definitely not an easy listen lyrically. I’m a sucker for the heavy bass guitars on display here, so soaking up parts of each song wasn’t a difficult thing for me to do. Although much of the lyrical content feels similar, “Did My Time” is a rarity of a track, one that is extremely self-reflective and fearful - two things you don’t get a lot from this band a lot. “Counting on Me” is another treat, taking a page from many bands pages concerning that one person in your life that is driving you nuts, only it doesn’t feel tired and recycled. If you want really have bass guitar work, look no further than “Let’s Do This Now”, a ear-busting earthquake of a song. While they appear tired from time to time (“Y’All Want a Single”, “Right Now”), this doesn’t bring the album down to mediocrity. This would be the last album that Brian “Head” Welch would record with the band.Best Tracks – “Did My Time”, “Counting on Me”, “Deep Inside”
(2006) See You on the Other Side (*** out of ****) – The album art pretty much sums up what this record is. It’s bizarre, disturbing, and occasionally out of place. Does that mean it doesn’t garner a listen? It’s certainly debatable, but in the end the strong points of See You on the Other Side outweigh the negatives (the horrible finale “Tearjerker” and occasionally sexist lyrics once again sprouting their ugly heads). The album starts out rocking and rolling, with a twisting piece of ear candy in “Twisted Transistor” (good luck trying to decipher what the lyrics mean). “Coming Undone”, one of Korn’s most recognizable jams, is worthy of its praise for its energetic beat and howling chorus lines. While the absence of Welch is definitely noticeable, the band is able to knock out some creative tracks that keep you listening.
Best Tracks - "Twisted Transistor", "Coming Undone", "Souvenir"
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