Korn III - Remember Who You Are

We all know Korn. Forever ago, I gave a pretty favorable review to their self titled work that dropped way back in 1994. Well they put out this new record today, that's certainly not as musically complex as their normal stuff. 'Remember' is much simpler than a regular Korn record, but it works. They put out their eighth studio album in 2007 and the band took a hiatus for each member to explore solo projects. They all came back to the studio ready to work...except this time with one twist. Obviously a major band like Korn has the ability to record in the largest - most high tech studios out there. This time they insisted on recording the whole thing in an 8 x 8 room normally just meant for a guitar session. This is also another album that has a message. They talk about how it was written to describe the downfall of man, and talk about things they believe lead to that demise. Organized religion being one of them. Sounds like they wanted this to be a throwback record of sorts to their humble, simpler beginnings, hence the name. I guess that works. I mean, as artists I think they've all evolved over the last near two decades. I don't think this has a traditional Korn feel to it, but it's still pretty good. I hadn't been a fan of their more recent stuff, but this one might get a little extra play on my iPod. We shall see. Check it out. All in all, a pretty solid New Music Tuesday!

TRACK LISTING:
1. Uber-Time
2. Oildale (Leave Me Alone)
3. Pop a Pill
4. Fear is a Place To Live
5. Move On
6. Lead the Parade
7. Let the Guilt Go
8. Past, The
9. Never Around
10. Are You Ready To Live?
11. Holding All These Lies

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Are You Ready To Live?
2. Oildale (Leave Me Alone)
3. Holding All These Lies

FINAL RATING:
3.75 out of 5 stars

Korn - Self Titled

Normally when people think of 1994 they think of alternative rock. Grunge rock. Nirvana, Pearl Jam, Green Day, Soundgarden, STP etc.. What about Korn? Now I'd put them more in the metal category than alt rock, but these guys have had a ton of success and have been making really good music for a really long time. This album came out in 1994 and it doesn't get nearly the credit it deserves. A big thing for me is how songs begin. I love the way some songs build up and peek your interest to keep the track going. This record might have my favorite beginning of all time in 'Blind'. This was their first album, and it very well might be my favorite Korn work. I cannot say that I celebrate their entire catalog either, but I've heard almost everything that they've put out there. For the most part, I think they've stayed true to their metal roots over the years - they made some crazy videos and their album covers were always conversation pieces. If you're not a huge metal fan, some songs by Korn could probably be considered pop, mainly the ones that aren't super heavy. I know they got their fair share of play on MTV and on pop radio stations. You certainly wouldn't like the entire record if you're a pop fan - but check it out. You'll recognize a few songs and you may like the rest of them.

TRACK LISTING:
1. Blind
2. Ball Tongue
3. Need To
4. Clown
5. Divine
6. Faget
7. Shoots and Ladders
8. Predictable
9. Fake
10. Lies
11. Helmet in the Bush
12. Daddy

Listen To Samples

Top 3 Tracks:
1. Blind
2. Shoots and Ladders
3. Divine

FINAL RATING:
3.5 out of 5 stars