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5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
I'm Surprised To Say...I Like It, 27 Nov 2003
This is one of those moments where your ears are telling you something, and your mind and your friends are telling you something completely different. Thankfully I didn't give into the latter and have always enjoyed music for what it is and not who it's by. As no doubt everyone knows, KoRn are a nu-metal band, more than likely, the very first, as my knowledge on them isn't exactly wide-spread. All I know about them 15 days ago, was that they performed vicious nu-metal, turgid riffs and delicate but raging vocals. The other side you hear is that they're...constantly depressed...boring...samesy...and that they're just not as people as their music portrays. Thankfully, I can, on my own behalf, eradicate 2 of the 4. While they do stick to a similar style throughout, KoRn are still pretty varied, and it certainly isn't a boring style, as KoRn's own brand of metallic groove based metal is actually quite thrilling...And despite many people's opinion that Johnathan Davies is just a whiner, he does have a terrific voice. Or should I say voices. There are two primary elements to KoRn's music. The metallic grooving of the guitars and the weapon in Davies' throat. The crunch of the guitars in the likes of 'opener', 'It's On!' and 'Got The Life', build up slowly and when they do start pacing at full pelt, they pull you in and don't let go, and while being hauled in, that weapon in Davies' throat is just getting ready to blow...his wide array of vocal styles adds a unique sound to KoRn without even starting on the guitars and fine drumming. On 'Follow The Leader', KoRn are almost 3D and could be standing right there in front of you, such is the visual abilites that the music lends itself out to. It's also pure rage throughout, which I suppose is to be expected. Don't look for acoustic songs or low key moments on 'Follow The Leader' this is all about vile expression. It's also amazingly accessible, while being very harsh and obliterating. 'Got The Life' could have been a dance floor hit in rock clubs, and is very funky and still acceptable to those who just prefer downright turgid. 'B.B.K.', while being the album highlight, seems to borrow from Alice In Chains fairly well, although I have never heard a band borrow from AIC without failing, but KoRn do have those layered vocal styles that made Layne Staley's voice so appealing. The only problem with 'Follow The Leader' is that there are tracks that just don't need to be there. 'All In The Family' with Fred Durst, might be hilarious to some, but it's like nails on a blackboard to others, especially those who don't like Durst anyway...'Children Of The Korn' features rapper Ice Cube, and is just...well, to keep it short not good. Whoever thought some of the collaberations on 'Follow...' were a good idea needs to think again. But if it was the same guy who wrote or produced the other immaculate, rather unshiney grinders, they also need a pat on the back. It does wear a little thin towards the end, but it doesn't seem to matter, as it does leave the listener satisfied. But it's just a matter of whether you think you could stand it. If you KNOW you don't like KoRn, then why bother even looking? With 'Follow The Leader' it seems to me that if you like any of the singles, then you might just like the rest of the album. If you don't, then it's not worth it. What have I learned? Never judge a book by its cover, and never judge a band on other ears opinions. 4 Stars.
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