Korn - Follow the Leader
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Free Music Notes for Follow the Leader
Free Music Review: The flagship album
Hit: 5 Stars
Ah, Korn's commercial masterpiece. While I'm sure it had some older fans up in a knot, it probably multiplied the size of that fanbase many times. I'll openly admit that this is the album that brought Korn to my attention. Therefore, it has a nostalgic sort of value for me since I listened it into the ground for a good year or two before even attempting to investigate their other albums. But, all bias aside, it really is quite a good album.
First off, as I mentioned before, this is Korn's most commercial album. Practically every song has "single" written all over it. And that's a good thing. This album spearheaded a movement in commercial radio and music television and as usual the immitators gave it a bad name, but in truth this album is quite creative. Plenty of aggression and groove combined with a little sick humor, lots of oddjob guitar effects and some urban seasoning create a unique chapter in Korn's career.
The albums highest points start early on - practically the whole first half of the album is a highlight. "It's On," "Freak on a Leash," and "Got the Life" are all catchy, groove-laden, aggressive songs. That is soon put to a stop by the sadistic and creepy "Dead Bodies Everywhere" which at some point was one of my favorite songs on this album. "Children of the Korn" is also a great 'serious' song, not despite but because of Ice Cube. This is guest rapping done right. "BBK" is also fun and aggressive, although not quite as good as the first three songs. "Pretty" is an emotional song with very heavy lyrical subject matter and was also one of my favorites.
Then we come to the halfway point: "All in the Family." I have to say, this song is funny, but it has one strike against it already in that I really, REALLY don't like Fred Durst. The second reason is that it just doesn't fit between two serious songs, and overall doesn't fit on the album. It would be more at home on Life is Peachy - or better yet, as a B-side where I don't have to listen to it except when I really want to.
The second half of the album isn't as spectacular as the first half. "Reclaim My Place," "Justin," and "Seed" are all good songs, don't get me wrong. It's not like I skip them. But they just seem to lose the momentum from the first half. They aren't as strong or catchy or interesting as the songs that came before them.
It picks back up at "Cameltosis" though. I will admit that I used to skip this song because I disliked the rapping. But I've given it a chance to grow on me and I've decided that the rapping actually works really well with the mood of the song. Tre Hardson has a sort of Snoop Doggish stoned-out-of-his-wits rapping style that compliments Korn's aggro sludge. Then comes "My Gift to You" which is a supremely dark and bitter song worthy of a Korn album's last track status. It crawls along dangerously at a snail's pace - kind of like The Blob.
... and "Earache My Eyes" is a classic. I'm glad it's the secret track because it obviously doesn't fit at all with the rest of the album, but it's wonderful nonetheless. The stoned nonsense preceding it is pretty entertaining too.
This album's strongest points are its creativity and innovation (at the time, at least,) as well as its relatively easy to digest good humored aggression. Of all the Korn albums, this is the easiest one for casual listeners to absorb. Its weakest points are its questionable song flow and lack of momentum in the second portion. Even then I would recommend it as a purchase to both hardcore Korn fans (who probably already own it) and the casual listener. It doesn't require the same emotional investment as their other albums but is a great listen anyways.
Free Music Review: Korn's Last Great Album
Hit: 5 Stars
Korn was a great band. This was their last five star album, afterwards the radio popped them into the spotlight and has practically killed them, thou while they can still make good music, they can't replicate the atmosphere and perfection they had on the first 3 albums. This is the last of those three. Jon's emotion is great on this album and I am one who can relate to him. This album was the height of their nu-metal days and is really the only true "nu-metal album" that I have and enjoy. By true nu-metal I mean evolving rap and rock and this has the most of that, out of all their albums and pulls it off the best. The days of Nu-metal are practically dead, so Korn trying to do any more rap songs, like Play Me from TALITM is just flat out wrong. The only songs I do not like here are Cameltosis and Reclaim my Place. By the way Earache my Eye (the hidden track) is with Cheech Marin as guest and is a Cover of a Cheech and Chong Song. Though Fred Durst appears on All in the Family as it is quite funny and they basically rap and insult each other,I don't detest it like some others do. What makes it even funnier are the insults themselves, they really reflect the days of 1998 with references to Hanson and Austin powers.
Follow the Leader isn't for everybody, either you love it or you hate it. There is no way around it. One problem I feel is that on My Gift to You (one of my favorite Korn songs but still flawed) is that Jon Davis doesn't break down at the end and lead to crying like in the past 2 records though he comes close to it. Ever since then, Korn hasn't been able to replicate their sound. They lost their edge as soon as they got too much into the Radio. Korn was once a great band, but now they are drying up, Jon's gotten fat, and guitarist head has run off to find god, la de da.
People should remember that Korn was once a great band, truly great and had a huge fan base for a reason. Now People are constantly bashing Korn for a variety of reasons. One of which is because it's easy to just say "Korn Sucks". Their old stuff is all Gems and since Issues there has been the smell of filler in the air. Now when people think of Korn they think of the new Korn and not the old Korn. This actually surprised me once I found this out, as a younger friend of mine was shocked when I played the song Blind for them. They were shocked that it was the same band. That's how out of touch people are now, it's quite sad. Once you hear a radio song you assume that the rest of their stuff sounds like that. It's quite wrong, either the rest of the CD is really good or it's really bad, and the record companies are ONLY interested in money, not in the music. That's the situation of today.
Korn was able to express something that no one else could replicate. And now they themselves can't even replicate it. They might as well release a B-sides and rarities collection from that era (which they have plenty of material from), as that would definitely earn the 5 stars that they once earned from me and would make the world turn their ears again, but perhaps we wouldn't want that. Korn is best staying underground or hidden or whatever they were back in the good old days.
Feeling bored by my length review? Well it's not nearly as long as the two for the self title and Life is Peachy (my personal favorite), which I had to shorten as they were more then 1000 words. If you liked this review and album I suggest checking those out as well, but you may have to do a bit of digging through my reviews to find them. But as to my main point here; this is good Korn and a good album, buy it if you like it, remember it's either hit or miss.
Free Music Review: Not Sellouts
Hit: 5 Stars
This is the album where Korn gets acused of selling out. It happens to all rock bands that make it big weather were talking about Metallica or REM. The truth is Korn did make a move to have a more wide apeal but the music is an improvement from "Life is Peachy" so we all win. Korn is always looking for new ground to touch on and this album was the album that busted the rap/rock genere wide open. The album doesn't start til track 13 because they were superstisous about ending an album on track 13. "Its On!" is probably the least appealing song on the album so don't get turned off at the begining. "Freak on a Leash" is a great metaphore about how Johnathan fells about how the music company and how they treat him. All the insterments are real good on this track. "Got the Life" is a good one where you can hear Fieldys unusal bass style. Good drums too. "Dead Bodies Everywhere" is a great track. I think John might be playing a digerdoo( I don't think I spelled it right but I'm talking about those Ausrailian insterments you blow into. He said he can play it so I think thats what it is) on parts of this song. This is one of the best tracks on the album. "Children of the Korn" is more rap than rock and features Ice Cube. I used to like Cube but than he sold out and became all generic and phoney. The tracks real tight for those of you who like rap. Its a good mix of two gandras. "Pritty" is a strong song that realy hits you hard. The bass rocks on this track. The lyrics are realy hard core and are about a very disturbing incodent (go to a Korn web page to find out). "All in the Family" is a funny song. Its a dis-fest between Fred Durst and Johnathan Davis. I love how the music changes to fit each singers style and personality. "Reclaim My Place" is a tight song that will please rock purists. "Justin" is a song about a kid whos dying request was to meet Korn. The song took a while to grow on me but now its one of my favorite tracks. "Seed" is overall my favorite track. Good start, good finish. All the insterments are great on this track. "Cameltosis" is a great song. Tre Hardson is from the underground hip hop group The Pharcyde who I recomend you check out if you like real hip hop and this song. I also love the Arabic sounding guitars at the begining of the song. "My Gift to You" is pritty good not that great though. "Enriche My Eye" is a hidden track and is a cover of a Cheech and Chong song. All the members switched up insterments on this track. Fieldy did backing vocals to Cheech while David played bass and John plays drums. Head and Munky switch off guitar parts.
Overall this is another great album from Korn. If you think they sold out maybe you should think it over a bit more. If they realy sold out why does "Issues" sound so different? Concidering how big rap/rock has become seince this album came out it would seem they would stick with this sound but no because they are artists and had a new rout they wanted to take. They took a very dark depressing route that would'nt appeal to many people. Anyways this is a great album for a Korn fan. If your looking for only the esental Korn albums get "issues" and the self titaled
Free Music Review: got to appreciate it
Hit: 5 Stars
I've owned this album for a couple of years now and I've really grown to appreciate it. I know every riff and lyric of this album. This album starts with 12 tracks, each consisting of 4 seconds of silence. After that, it's far from silent.
13.It's On 9/10- Probably one of my favorite KoRn songs of all time. Mediocre chorus but phenominal verses and pre-choruses. I never get tired of this one.
14.Freak on a leash6/10-You may have heard this one on the radio a couple of times. It was one of their singles. It posses a pop quality and probably an essential to any KoRn lover.
15.Got the Life 7/10-another single that posses a pop quality. But this song has a faster pace and the verses have a hard hitting vocal quality. Jonathan Davis often uses tortured lyrics which add intensity to the songs.
16.Dead bodies everywhere 8/10-one of my favorite KoRn songs of all time. Has a great hard hitting catchy chorus and entertaining verses. The end features scratchy guitars that are unpleasant to listen to and I usually change the track then. In this song Jonathan Davis sings about how he's gonna be whatever he wants to be and asking his parents to stop disapproving of his dreams and what he wants to become.
17.Children of KoRn 7/10-a pretty standout track. Guest star Ice Cube spits it during the angry choruses and Jonathan Davis also has pretty angry vocals during the verses. I think this song is about what KoRn's music is turning kids into.
18.B.B.K. 7/10-this song gets better and better as you listen to it. Jonathan Davis's voice has a whiny quality to it during the verses. The guitar during the chorus has a dark fast melody to it which is later played when Jonathan Davis does his unique gibberish.
19.Pretty 7/10-a traumatic song inspired by Jonathan Davis's witnessing of rapes and suicide but still a good song. You can really feel Jonathan Davis's anger and sadness in this disturbing song.
20.All in the family N/A-this song is a dis-off between Limp Bizkit's Fred Durst and Jonathan Davis. Not really a song. It can be entertaining if you know a lot about KoRn or Limp Bizkit 'cause you get more of the dises.
21.Reclaim my place 8/10-I like this song a lot. Good guitar and bass and riffs. A bit of sexual content here and there. But what really makes this song is the end where Jonathan Davis screams "What the F***" about a dozen times backed by great guitar.
22.Justin 7/10-A very heavy song about when KoRn visited a terminal kid with cancer and the boy lived. So thats an ongoing theme throughout the song. Haunting at times, catchy at others.
23.Seed-A song that you have to get used to about Jonathin Davis's son hence the title "SEED".Guitars get pretty heavy at the end and Jonathan Davis gibbers alot.
24.Cameltosis 2/10-a bad song featuring some guest singer that i've never heard of.
25.My gift to you N/A-a pretty violent song. I havent listened to it in a while but i dont remember it being that good. IT has a slow pace.
Hidden Track: Earache my eye- actually a pretty funny song that features a laughable vocal style by Jonathan Davis.
This album is definitely worth buying. It is essential if you are a KoRn fan. IF you dont like it at first you will eventually.
Free Music Review: Extra Extra - Follow The Leader Great.
Hit: 5 Stars
KoRn are quite the band. Don't listen to the non-true fans. Follow The Leader is the 2nd best CD. The Self-titled is still the king. I mean, Listen to Shoots And Ladders and then My Gift To You, which is better? And listen to Blind and then listen to It's On, which is better? Well, here's the scoop.1-12)Silence: look at the title.
13)It's On: It's no Blind or Here To Stay, but it'll do. Another cool intro to the CD. And then a scream before it goes into Freak On A Leash. 10/10
14)Freak On A Leash: This is a true masterpiece by KoRn. Although it may be weak, it's true excellence. Also, Jon Davis makes this song great by adding gibberish in the solo at the middle. The hit single, and a good reason why. This is without a doubt, the best song on this CD. 10/10
15)Got The Life: The quickest song, and the second hit single. Much like Freak On A Leash, gibberish, a catchy tune and great chorus. But on the bad side, it's too weak. But why let one problem let this down? 10/10
16)Dead Bodies Everywhere: Eerie sound at the beginning, but picks up. Heavy work, I think this is the first part of two songs, DBE and Falling Away From Me. Because both are the same music, but they're both good. A breakdown near the end. Another classic. 10/10
17)Children Of The KoRn (with Ice Cube): Rock and rap don't mix! That's what they all say. I say, let them mix. An excellent combination, this shows the excellent thinking, a mix of rock and rap, an experiment which can impress. And guest vocals by Ice Cube. Another perfect score. They continue to impress. 10/10
18)B.B.K.: Nice song, the heaviest track. This is so much like Freak On A Leash, Jon does a part of Gibberish in this one. I'd have to give it another perfect score. 10/10
19)Pretty: Why? Why must I keep giving perfect scores? These songs are just too good. This song contains disturbing lyrics. the music is simply amazing. 10/10
20)All In The Family (with Fred Durst): I'm starting to go crazy, because everything is getting perfect scores. Fred Durst helps Jon, although it's dissing all the way through. From Jacksonville to Shoots & Ladders, Fred & Jon throw insults at each other. A great song. 10/10
21)Reclaim My Place: I'm going insane, more perfect scores? I can't believe it. I need an asprin. Anyway, this has an ending that is sticking in my head. My 2nd favourite. 10/10
22)Justin: Finally, a song that doesn't get a perfect score. About a poor 14-year old boy, he wanted to meet KoRn for a few minutes. It turned out to be a few days, and that few days turned out to become a song. This song is great. 9/10
23)Seed: A long 6 minute song. A little bad, but has gibberish with a great middle part. Nuff' said. 8/10
24)Cameltosis (with Tre Hardson): Another perfect score. Cool, a nice chorus, the entire song is great. 3rd favourite. 10/10
25)My Gift To You: A bagpipe solo. About necrophelia. 7 minutes. I can't believe it. This is a bad song. I'd prefer Shoots & Ladders. 5/10
Bonus)Earache My Eye (with Cheech Marin): Cool, about money, and this very funny guy being interluded by a guy with a low voice. a perfect score for this one. 10/10.
Follow the Leader, a wonderful CD. Be sure to get the other 4 CD's aswell.