Hyped (Over/Under) 05.29.06: Korn
Posted by Andrew Mellick on 05.29.2006
In this issue of the hype we look at one of the most influential bands to date. Koßn has sold millions of records and have toured the world over but are they worth the hype? Read on to find out.
Welcome back to the quaternary issue of Hyped (Over/Under) . It has been a busy week for yours truly. Between furnishing my wife and my new apartment and dealing with a daughter who won't sleep things have been pretty hazy for me. But I'll try to keep it together for you. So let's get it on!
The News : Guess who is coming back to headline the Family Values Tour this summer? I'll give you a hint it rhymes with corn….that's right Koßn ! The boys from Bakersfield are back to front the show they started. So I figured this was as good a time as any to examine these pioneers of numetal and hand down my verdict. Are they worth the Hype? Read on to find out.
History : Munky (guitarist), Head (guitarist), Fieldy (bassist), and Silveria (drummer) had assembled a band called Creep. All they needed was a lead singer. Enter Jonathon Davis. Davis, who was currently fronting a band called Sexart, auditioned and earned the spot. The band was eventually renamed Koßn. (I know it's a short history but we have a lot to cover)
Self titled
Koßn released their first album (self titled) in 1994. The album had great success despite receiving virtually no radio play. The record really solidified Koßn's sound. The album is heavy and dark. Fieldy's base playing stands out as his picking of the strings sounds more like drums than base. Davis' vocals are ranged from yells to growls to singing all within the same song.
I still enjoy this album. It stands the test of time which is saying something for a numetal album. At the time it was a unique twist on the heavy sound and today it is still a solid record.
Stand outs: Blind, Ball tongue, Divine
Life is Peachy
In 1996 the band followed up the success of their first effort with Life is Peachy. This album was double platinum and a success for the band.
Musically it suffered from the sophomore slump and wasn't nearly as good as their first album. It seemed to be hastily put together and not as thought out as their first album. Despite all of that, the band was still making a name for themselves as a new sound in rock music.
Stand outs: No Place to Hide, A.D.I.D.A.S., Ass itch
Follow the Leader
1998 saw the release of Koßn's breakthrough album, Follow the Leader. This album hit #1 and went platinum five times over, as well as, spawned six singles. They don't call it a breakthrough album for nothing. This album is considered the bands best work. A definitive album in the numetal subgenre, Follow the Leader helped propel Koßn from a semi well know underground band to an icon of the business.
This album really showcased the band's talent. The sound was crisp; the lyrics were dark yet catchy, and just poppy enough to listen to them again and again.
Stand Outs: Freak on a Leash, Got tha Life, BBK,
Issues
The next album to follow their monster hit, Follow the Leader, was Issues released in 1999. It debut at #1 and went platinum three times. It featured a broader sound than previous albums.
Some fans consider it a disappointment compared to FTL but it still had its fair share of great songs. The album was darker and more introspective. Davis' has always drawn on the personal tragedy in his life to create his music but Issues drew heavily on that. Such desperate songs as ‘Somebody, Someone' and the defeated anthem ‘Falling Away From Me' highlight the despair and pain of lead singer Jonathon Davis. Albums don't usually get to me all that much. However, listening to Issues too many times can be very depressing. It is a great album but very heavy in the emotional sense.
Stand Outs: Somebody Someone, Wake Up, Lets Get this Party Started
Untouchables
In 2002 the band released its fifth studio effort entitled Untouchables. It failed to capture the success of previous albums, going platinum only once. The band blamed this on an internet leak of the album a full five months before it was released.
The band really went in a different direction on this one. It had a dark gothic feel to it. The album featured synthesizers, strings, and various other effects, something new for the band. It was a heavily produced album which was the intention. Many fans liked the album but its lack of success suggests the general public did not. It is debatable whether the leak or the difference in sound attributed to the lack in sales.
I give Koßn credit on this album. It's always an issue in the rock industry as to how much a record should be produced and how much it should just sound raw and unaffected. While I do not necessarily like this album, I do give them credit for having the balls to take their sound in a totally new direction. It may not be their best selling album but it is a unique listen.
Stand Outs: Here to Stay, Hollow Life, Wake Up Hate
Take a Look in the Mirror
2004 brought the sixth studio album from Koßn. Again, this album did not capture past successes and only went Platinum which seems to be the current pattern for the band. Take a Look in the Mirror was a completely different animal from Untouchables. The band called it a hearkening to their older sound. It was produced solely by Koßn. The sound is much more stripped down and raw then previous albums.
I really enjoyed this one. If you're a fan of Koßn then you should definitely dig this album. The growling lyrics, the aggressive guitar, and the thick underlying baseline create the heaviest Koßn album to date. It may not be their most successful but it is distinctively Koßn.
Stand Outs: Did My Time, Lets Do This Now, I'm Done
2004-2005
In 2004 the band released a greatest hits album. I am not going to go through that album since it doesn't have any new material on it. However, it is noteworthy that the album did go platinum and received praise from many fans.
In 2005 Brian "head" Welch left the band announcing that he had chosen to "follow the Lord Jesus Christ as his Savior and would be dedicating his musical pursuits to that end." Many jokes ensued revolving around Mr. Welch's nickname and his new found faith. Granted he has gone off the deep end somewhat. He did site his reason for leaving the band as his struggle with drugs and hearing his daughter singing obscene Koßn lyrics. Speaking as a father and as a Christian I have a tremendous amount of respect for the man. Leaving behind that kind of money for your convictions is no easy thing to do. To do it openly for all to see (and ridicule) all for the sake of his daughter and his faith shows real character, something that isn't always prevalent in the music industry.
See you on the Other Side
In 2005 the band released their first post-head studio album. It went platinum and is still having successful sales, looking to go double platinum within the year. The increase in sales seems to show the fans are accepting this evolution in sound.
This album is funny. At times the album sounds like a perfect evolution in sound at other times it sounds like…crap. Honestly, I have a love/hate relationship with it. I don't deny that the band's sound is more mature and the songs are varied enough to make it a good listen, but it also can get repetitive at times. In short some songs I love and some I hate.
Stand Outs: Twisted Transistor, Seen it All, Tearjerker
Today
That brings us to the here and now. Koßn has sold millions of records and their concerts still bring in big bucks. They are taking back the reigns as headliner for the Family Values tour and despite the shake up in their line up, Koßn still looks to have many years left in them.
Verdict
Koßn has stood the test of time. The numetal wave has come and gone and the "godfathers" of said subgenre still continue to sell out venues and rock fans.
They are a very innovative band, early in their career they utilized the internet in a way that few other bands have, to create an underground movement of support as well as to connect with their fans on a whole new level.
On the downside, Koßn's innovation has not always been well received. I cringe every time I hear about some new project with some unknown rap group.
Despite all of that, the band has a unique sound that no one has been able to copy. Their lyrics, while overwhelming at times, are very deep and convey the desperation and angst felt by Davis. His brutal childhood has resulted in real pain which can be felt in many songs.
I give Koßn a verdict of Underhyped . While they have legions of adoring fans, I don't think everyone gives them the credit they deserve. They are true innovators of the industry. They have survived the subgenre they created and they continue to make good music.
Everyone's a critic
When I write a column like this, I expect to receive many disagreements and "your retarded" emails sent my way. I don't care. If you disagree, write me. I love it. Because, love it or hate it, you ARE reading the column.
However, this week is different. I am dedicating this entire section to one email. Why? Because I have been doing this for a while now and this is the FIRST email of praise I have received and for that this person deserves a whole section to themselves.
From: Danielle.Morse@rhd.com
Thanks for the awesome article and comments on Godsmack! I'm tired of hearing them get put down for releasing the "same" music which is total b/s!
Listen to "IV" - it is awesome! They rock and always will!
Forever a Godsmack Fan,
Danielle M
No Danielle, thank you. I love devoted fans, seriously. I got a lot of hate mail when I wrote about Limp Bizkit and I love that. See, whether you agree or disagree with me it makes no difference. What matters is the music. Those devoted fans that every band has, are who keeps them going. Sure a band will have a "follow the leader" or "black" album that will result in crazy sales, but it usually doesn't last. What does last is the devotion of that core group of fans who don't give up on their band no matter how much crappy music they produce.
In the end, casual listeners aren't the ones who will make or break a band. This is the big difference between rock music and pop music. With pop music, whoever people are told to like, they like. You could hardly throw a shoe without hitting a magazine with Reuben Studdard's picture on it a few years ago. What happened to Backstreet Boys or ‘N Sync? They don't last. Rock bands as a whole, make music that will most likely affect somebody's life and in turn make him or her, a loyal fan. That is why bands like LB or Koßn who are not experiencing the success they had in years past are still making records and doing what they do. Because, they love music and they love those fans, the diehard loyalists.
So for all you devout Godsmack, or Koßn, or Limp Bizkit, or whoever fans, I say, you keep on keeping on. Bands live and die by you.
Look, my column started a thread. This guy doesn't like godsmack and he articulates his point beautifully in this thread. Funny stuff, these kids are so hateful. That damn rock and roll.
That's it for this week. Be cool my babies. We will see you next week for another exciting edition of the hype .
