Most Helpful Customer Reviews
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4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:
5.0 out of 5 stars
.......and then there were three..... a strong 4 1/2 star album, August 1, 2007
If 'See You On The Other Side' was the bridge to get there then 'Untitled' is the other side. Most of the album is filled with artsy experimental music that is truly evolutionary as far as Korn goes. With Head devoting his life to God and David on hiatus all that is left of Korn are Jonathan,Munky,Fieldy. Ofcourse once again the boys from Bakersfield surround themselves with many talented individuals. From the production team of The Matrix to producer Atticus Ross to session drummer Terry Bozzio. Most of the tracks were created all together in the studio with ideas flowing like a geiser. Most of the album comes off noisy but yet clean. But gone is the Korn your grandpa used to listen to. It is less heavier than 'SYOTOS' but flows much better. The continuity is there with tremndous confidence and from track to track it is easy to tell that this is the new Korn for all. Some may like it and some won't. If you are wanting to hear the 'S/T' or 'Life's Peachy' or even 'Take A Look In The Mirror' then go and listen to those albums. But if you enjoyed 'SYOTOS' as much as I did then give this album a try. For it is better than its predecessor......and as far as this Deluxe Limited Edition goes you get a 47 minute DVD documenting the band in the studio and photo slideshow which is cool. Fantastic artwork throughout the package. A bonus track called 'Sing Sorrow' which is a very strong track. Three postcards of each member drawn which is also very cool. A two sided poster of the album art that comes with creases(that sucks) and a coupon to redeem a free t-shirt from the band. Very very cool...and it all comes in a nice hard box. Korn really did a great job with this package. Big props go out to them.....for me the only down side is the unablilty to read the small wavy print in the sleeve.....very difficult to read.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
The Evolution Of Korn, August 2, 2007
There could be many reasons why Korn left their eight studio album untitled. Could it be that they were short on time and wanted to get this thing out as quickly as possible? Is it supposed to mark a new beginning, with only three original members left and a slew of session musicians rounding out the line-up? Or could it just be due to the fact that "Untitled" is Korn's most ambiguous and experimental album to date? I'll go with the third.
So what's Korn up to this year? Why are they rushing an album out with yet another band member (this time around, it's drummer David Silveria) taken out of the equation? Well, even if it probably was too soon for a new Korn album, it can't be denied that what they have laid down is easily home to the best material they have done since the turn of the century. At some point, we're all going to have to come to terms with the fact that Korn sort of lost it years ago. The delivery by frontman Jonathan Davis has felt forced for quite some years, and the band has either had a fair share of botched experiments or has just been going through the motions. Granted, "Untouchables," "Take A Look In The Mirror" and "See You On The Other Side" are all fine albums, but each fell short of expectations and only assisted in making the band look tired and out of date. With only three members left, who would have guessed they would have turned this thing around? Inviting touring keyboardist Zac Baird into the recording studio, and jamming with the legendary Terry Bozzio and Brooks Wackerman (Bad Religion) on drums, what remains of Korn have turned out their most satisfying album since their creative and commercial pinnacle in the late 90's.
"Untitled" brings to mind the energy and experimentation of the breakthrough album, "Follow The Leader." What the listener expects to hear is completely shattered here. Witness "B----, We Got A Problem," the song "Twisted Transistor" should have been, easily the catchiest and most infectious Korn tune since "Got The Life." Producer Atticus Ross, who worked on the last album, has returned to help Korn beef up their electronic repoitre, and instead of sounding like re-heated Nine Inch Nails, like a good chunk of "See You On The Other Side" sounded, the experiments are more refined and sound more natural here. "Kiss" starts off rather minimally, going down a predictable route, until the three minute mark when the band digs into some late-Beatles psychedelia. Elsewhere, the band stretches it's genre and limitations, as on "Killing," perhaps the thrashiest Korn song ever, and featuring a death metal inspired bridge, without sounding cheesy or forced. Along with experimentation, we are treated to Jonathan's most honest and emotional delivery in a long time. "Starting Over" and "I Will Protect You" (arguably the best song on the album, which truly shows off the work of Bozzio) both revolve around Jonathan's new obsession with death and leaving his loved ones behind, and it's a powerful message that goes beyond the usual angsty fodder of Korn's past, as something everyone can relate to.
Now, to be honest and fair, this is not a perfect album. Had they shortened it down to only ten songs and left off what didn't work, they'd have yielded better results. "Do What They Say" and "Innocent Bystander" are two songs that just don't work and only serve to slow down the progression of the album. What could have been two of the best songs on the album -- "Ever Be" and "Love & Luxury" -- are marred by their tired lyrical content, focusing on ex-guitarist Brian "Head" Welch and his beliefs. This is really something they should have gotten out of their system on "See You On The Other Side," and only makes it seem like they are running out of ideas and things to say. Regardless of the few flaws, it's still one of the most dynamic and intriguing entries in the Korn catalogue. Korn purists might find it difficult to swallow, but the fan who wants more from their band might walk away happy. It's just too bad that they couldn't work it out with Terry Bozzio, who really pushes this album to the level it's at. More Korn & Bozzio would be a great thing. If you're picking up the deluxe edition, you'll get a DVD that documents the making of the album quite well, and shows off just how insane Bozzio's methods are, and gives a bit of insight into the why's and how's of the album. Also, you get a coupon for a free shirt, a fold-out poster, and individual cards featuring high concept art of Jonathan, Munky and Fieldy. Aside from the DVD, it's all really just fluff, but it's worth it for the glimpse inside the studio for this one.
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2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:
4.0 out of 5 stars
Think Pink Floyd does Heavy Metal, July 31, 2007
I found this album to be very similar to SYOTOS first time around. It does have the 'artsy' sound to it and my first reaction was 'Pink Floyd does Heavy Metal'. Very trippy cd with a mix of melody and goth intertwined in each song. Favorite song on the album after first couple of go rounds has got to be 'Killing'. Very militant and heavy 'old-school' KoRn feel to it and great to jam along with. This album isn't for everyone, and if you didn't really like Issues or SYOTOS, you might not like this one. Every album has a message, and the message delivered in this album is very clear, KoRn hates God and fixed religion. But overall, I give this album a 4 out of 5, just because it had to grow on me after about 4 listens and it just didn't 'grab' me first time around.
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