KoRn – Untitled

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impulse buy

Virgin Records
Produced by Atticus Ross, KoRn & The Matrix

Korn released their latest album last Monday, 30th July on Virgin Records. It’s not been given a title which to me suggests laziness on the band’s part dressed up as some sort of revolutionary idea of letting the fans decide what the album’s about and what it should be called for themselves. As far as I’m concerned it’s as good as releasing it as a self titled album. Poor.

The album does have a theme to it which is why I find it hard to come to terms with its title-less status. The theme, as far as I can see, is about the human condition and how we’re not all that different to animals. Both love, live and fight. Evolution, which I reviewed a couple of weeks back, is the most prominent of these tracks and will draw comparisons to Linkin Park’s style of music. of course we know which came first but that’s not really the point, not everyone approaches these bands in the same order and so it’s completely acceptable for them to make that comparison. Killing also continues the same motif with a song whose title really says it all. There’s not a lot of room for interpretation on this album; mostly it does what it says on the tin.

The first track on the album is an instrumental introduction with foreboding, horror film like fairground carousel lilting which gradually becomes darker and more powerful, growling to conclusion. It draws the listener into this dark underworld where the band might hope you forget what you thought you knew and leave yourself open to suggestion.

I couldn’t pick out one particular track on the album that is my favourite but I favour the track Kiss because of its more melodic tendancies – probably not what Korn are known for with the public majority. Rather than a growl, Jonathan Davies’ voice can clearly be heard for what it is, emotional, hurt and strong. Do What They Say also has this vocal style but is far more rasping, desperate and resigned to its fate. I enjoy Hushabye because on a very simple level I wouldn’t associate such a sweet and maternal word with Korn. The track itself conjures up ideas of dark fairy tales, the world of the Brothers Grimm and ‘Pan’s Labyrinth’. Childlike creatures in a dark world of blood and fear. That’s a personal interpretation and quite possibly nothing to do with what was intended at all but it demonstrates another motif in the album.

The final track on the album, I Will Protect You, is about as close to a love song as you’re going to get, and I suppose every album has to have one – I think it’s law. Of course it’s no ballad but the lyrics are certainly more tender and speak very clearly of unity and the desire to protect despite the threat to personal safety.

I happen to think that this is a pretty great album. Korn possess a power in both vocal and music that I don’t hear in many bands. It’s dark and powerful without being satanic or incomprehensible. The musicianship is of a consistent quality throughout, a level that would be impressive if I wasn’t expecting it anyway. You’ll have to judge for yourself whether it’s better or worse than previous offerings though.

“ not a lot of room for interpretation ”

Tracklist: Intro / Starting Over / Bitch We Got A Problem / Evolution / Hold On / Kiss / Do What They Say / Ever Be / Love And Luxury / Innocent Bystander / Killing / Hushabye / I Will Protect You
Special Edition Bonus Track: Sing Sorrow
Special Edition Bonus DVD: Making of The Album / Photo Gallery

Written by Vikki Roberts
More: Albums, Alternative, Rap/Crossover, Korn