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Rating: The influence of bands that are musically quite distant from themselves and the search for experimental sounds has always been quite evident in Korn.
With "Follow The Leader", there is a noticeable shift towards the typical sounds of Limp Bizkit, "Untouchables" turned out to be a very experimental album and difficult to listen to, even if not bad, "Take A Look In The Mirror" sees the influence of Korn from nine years before. The most evident case is the unexpected turn of "See You On The Other Side", whose melodies slightly wink at Nine Inch Nails (despite never having heard a hint of melody in NIN. It might be the drummer who seems to be playing a Mondialcasa drum set, the keyboards that remind me a lot of the cut-and-paste of dance music, or maybe Reznor doesn't even know where metal lives...).
"Issues" instead represents a rather transitional point, published in 1999, a year after "Follow The Leader", the album with which Korn had definitively plunged into the commercial realm without ever really leaving it and without completely selling out their music, though they came close. It is in this metallic-commercial atmosphere that "Issues" is produced. The most evident features are the electronic nuances, a prelude to the Industrial atmospheres of "Untouchables", and a great hardening of the sound compared to FtL, although far from the devastating hardness of the origins and to a lesser extent from that of the two subsequent albums.
The predominant emotion in this album seems to be sadness: the wonderful intro Dead begins by saying "all I want in life is to be happy" with an almost cheerful tone. This is where the dark Falling Away From Me begins, a very well-made track, alongside the repetitive but good Trash, which confirms the impressions from the first two tracks, namely a different stylistic imprint of this group, which never makes two albums with the same sound. Then comes the first of the various dark and claustrophobic interludes of this album, some of which, like the present 4U, are not very fitting. It kicks off again with Beg for Me, a song with a tight and engaging rhythm, followed by Make Me Bad, one of Korn's most commercial and less violent songs, which is considered very beautiful by some and a real flop by others. Wake Up is a rather nice track, neither disgraceful nor too praiseworthy, and the same goes for the passionate Hey Daddy. With Somebody, Someone we find another one of Korn's most commercial songs, certainly not a masterpiece but a very good song capable of combining dark melodies with heavy sound.
No Way follows somewhat in the footsteps of the wonderful Need To from five years earlier. Although it doesn't reach its beauty, the guitar riffs manage here too to evoke the emotions of a dark, oppressive, and looming atmosphere, creating one of the best songs on the album. Let's Get This Party Started is also very dark and violent, a good track that preludes the two fantastic closing songs of the album: Counting and Dirty. The first features perfect riffs and an excellent drum work, making it a great song that, however, cannot compare to Dirty: the right music to describe a nightmare, where hate, anger, and a bit of fear mix, taking your breath away.
Therefore, this is a good album, that intentionally manages to convey the sadness and the anger that characterize Korn, although not with the same effectiveness as other works of the group. An album that is very unique, certainly not a masterpiece, but difficult to replicate, in conclusion a work more than sufficient.
PS: I know there were already three reviews of "Issues", but they seemed to be done by kindergarten kids. Sorry for the digression on Nine Inch Nails, but CyCoCiccio was much faster than me, and also for the not very elegant terms of my first review.
Tracklist Lyrics Samples and Videos
02 Falling Away From Me (04:30)
Hey, I'm feeling tired
My time is gone today
You flirt with suicide
Sometimes that's OK
Do what others say
I'm here standing hollow
Falling away from me, falling away from me
Day, is here fading
That's when I'm insane
I flirt with suicide
Sometimes kill the pain
I can't always say
'It's gonna be better tomorrow'
Falling away from me, falling away from me
Beating me down, beating me, beating me down
Down, into the ground, screaming so sound
Beating me, beating me, down, down
Into the ground
(Falling away from me)
It's spinning round and round
(Falling away from me)
It's lost and can't be found
(Falling away from me)
It's spinning round and round
(Falling away from me)
Slow it down
Beating me down, beating me, beating me
Down, down, into the ground, screaming so sound
Beating me, beating me, down, down
Into the ground
Twisting me, they won't go away
So I pray, go away
Life's falling away from me
It's falling away from me
Life's falling away from me, FUCK!
Beating me down, beating me, beating me
Down, down, into the ground, screaming so sound
Beating me, beating me, down, down
Into the ground
(Falling away from me)
Beating me down
(Falling away from me)
Beating me, beating me
(Falling away from me)
Down, down
(Falling away from me)
Into the ground
Screaming so sound
(Falling away from me)
Beating me, beating me
Down, down
(Falling away from me)
Into the ground
03 Trash (03:26)
How did it start?
Well I don't know
I just feel the craving
I see the flesh and it smells fresh and it's just there for the taking
These little girls, they make me feel so god damn exhilarated
I feel them up, I can't give it up
The pain, I'm just erasing
I tell my lies, and I despise
Every second I'm with you
So I run away and you still stay
So what the fuck is with you?
Your feelings
I can't help but rape them
I'm sorry, I don't feel the same
My heart inside is constantly hating
I'm sorry, I just throw you away
I don't know why I'm so fucking cold
I don't know why it hurts me
All I wanna do is get with you and make the pain go away
Why do I have a conscience?
All it does is fuck with me
Why do I have this torment?
All I wanna do is fuck it away
I tell my lies, and I despise
Every second I'm with you
So I run away and you still stay
So what the fuck is with you?
Your feelings
I can't help but rape them
I'm sorry, I don't feel the same
My heart inside is constantly hating
I'm sorry, I just throw you away
I tell my lies, and I despise
Every second I'm with you
So I run away and you still stay
So what the fuck is with you?
Your feelings
I can't help but rape them
I'm sorry, I don't feel the same
My heart inside is constantly hating
I'm sorry, I just throw you away
Just throw you away
I tell my lies, and I despise
Every second I'm with you
So I run away and you still stay
So what the fuck is with you?
Just throw you away
05 Beg for Me (03:53)
Everyone is looking at me
I can't get out of bed, there is evil in my head
Everyone just let me be
Because when I hit the stage, it is gone and I am free
God damn you say you'll get up for me
You're the crowd, come on give it back to me
You won't beg for me, beg for me, beg for me
God damn you say you'll get up with me
You're the crowd, come on give it back to me
You won't beg for me, be there for me, beg for me
Tell me, how could this fade?
I am going insane, and I cry, it helps my pain
Everyone please let me be
Because when I hit the stage, it is gone and I am free
God damn you say you'll get up for me
You're the crowd, come on give it back to me
You won't beg for me, beg for me, beg for me
God damn you say you'll get up with me
You're the crowd, come on give it back to me
You won't beg for me, be there for me, beg for me
I feel the shame
I'm ive gone insane
The things I feel now
Arn't the same
Who gives a fuck if my life stops?
I just know one thing
I won't give up
Everyone just let me be [x3]
God damn you say you'll get up for me
You're the crowd, come on give it back to me
You won't beg for me, beg for me, beg for me
God damn you say you'll get up with me
You're the crowd, come on give it back to me
You won't beg for me, be there for me, beg for me
Be there, for me? [x4]
06 Make Me Bad (03:55)
[Verse 1]
I am watching the rise and fall of my salvation
There's so much shit around me, such a lack of compassion
[B-Section]
I thought it would be fun and games
Instead it's all the same
I want something to do
Need to feel the sickness in you
[Hook]
I feel the reason as it's leaving me, no not again
It's quite deceiving as I'm feeling, the flesh made me bad
[Verse 2]
All I do is look for you and when I fix you, Needed to
just to get some sort of attention...attention
[B-Section 2]
What does it mean to you
For me, it's something I just do
I want something
I need to feel the sickness in you
[Hook]
I feel the reason as it's leaving me no, not again
It's quite deceiving as I'm feeling, the flesh made me bad (2x)
--break--
I feel the reason as it's leaving me
No, not again
It's quite deceiving as I'm feeling
The flesh made me bad (2x)
(Does it make me bad)<--[repeating until fade]
09 Am I Going Crazy (00:59)
All the lying and cheating will surely bite you
Dishonesty tears you apart and will eat you
All the anger and pain and the suffering and the shame
And the voices in your brain will surely haunt you
Let the guilt go, let the guilt go, let the guilt go, let the guilt go
I tell you one thing which leads to another thing
Then I backtrack which leads to hurt feelings
Then my brain spins off of fucking everything
When this happens I can't break through
All the anger, the pain and the suffering, and the shame
And the voices in your brain will really haunt you
Let the guilt go, let the guilt go, let the guilt go, let the guilt go
I tell you one thing which leads to another thing
Then I backtrack which leads to hurt feelings
Then my brain spins off of fucking everything
When this happens I can't break through
Now we waste our lives away
Letting guilt lead the way
I'm such a stupid fuck
Listening to my head and not my gut
Constantly thinking and thinking and thinking
And thinking and thinking and thinking
Now we waste our lives away
Letting guilt lead the way
I tell you one thing which leads to another thing
Then I backtrack which leads to hurt feelings
Then my brain spins off of fucking everything
When this happens I can't break through
I tell you one thing which leads to another thing
Then I backtrack which leads to hurt feelings
Then my brain spins off of fucking everything
When this happens I can't break through
11 Somebody Someone (03:47)
I can't stand to let you in
I'm just watching you
And I don't know what to do
Feeling like a fool inside
Feeling all that you hide
Thought you were my friend
Seems it never ends
I need somebody, someone
Can’t somebody help me?
All I need is to be
Loved just for me
Giving you this and that
Giving, getting nothing back
It's all related to
All the things I do
Feeling like a fool inside
Seeming all the things you tried
I am nothing
I need somebody, someone
Can’t somebody help me?
All I need is to be
Loved just for me
I look
I sign
I need
Someone
Inside
To help
Me out
With what
I'm trying
I'm crying
I'm frying
In a pile of
Shit
I'm dying
I'm dying
I'm dying
I need somebody (someone)
Somebody (somebody)
Someone
I need somebody (someone)
Somebody (somebody)
Someone
Someone
13 Let's Get This Party Started (03:41)
[Verse 1]
When it's crying, takes me to a certain place which I don't often find
I see a family walking always thinking of being somewhere else in time
So I fall face down in a rut, I can't seem to get out of
Please wake me, please give me some of it back the feelings that I had
[Vamp]
Sometimes I wish I could be strong like you
It doesn't matter
Each time I wake I'm somehow feeling the truth
I can't handle
[Hook]
Let's get this party started, I'm sick of begging you
You make me feel insane which I give to you
Let's get this party started, You make me feel insane
I want to be the one to make myself sane
[Verse 2]
Time is ticking, It makes me feel content with what I have inside
Constant paranoia surrounds me, Everyone I see is out to get me
So I fall face down in a rut, I can't seem to get out of
Please wake me, please give me some of it back the feelings that I had
[Vamp]
Sometimes I wish I could be strong like you
It doesn't matter
Each time I wake I'm somehow feeling the truth
I can't handle
[Hook]
Let's get this party started, I'm sick of begging you
You make me feel insane which I give to you
Let's get this party started, You make me feel insane
I want to be the one to make myself sane
You make me feel insane
[Vamp]
Sometimes I wish I could be strong like you
It doesn't matter
Each time I wake I'm somehow feeling the truth
I can't handle
[Hook]
Let's get this party started, I'm sick of begging you
You make me feel insane which I give to you
Let's get this party started, You make me feel insane
I want to be the one to make myself sane
14 Wish You Could Be Me (01:07)
I am going insane
This shit is all of a pain
I cannot maintain as the shit gnaws at my brain
Wish you could be me
And then as you would see
How tired I am and how you get the best of me
At least you could look at me
While you're raping me
You are taking my life and selling it, tehehe
Why should I complain
At least it helps my pain
I am very cool now
And theres gossip bout my fame
I am going insane
This shit is all of a pain
I cannot maintain as the shit gnaws at my brain
Wish you could be me
And then as you would see
How tired I am and how you get the best of me
At least you could look at me
While you're raping me
At least you could look at me while you're raping me
You fuckin pussy !!!
15 Counting (03:37)
I came back to face what's growing in my head
Please get away from me
Take advantage of what I feel, yes you do
One day you'll beg for me
So I'm saying nothing
Each day taking that much more
As I'm screaming all my pain
You will be there counting
You just see me as something you throw around
You were there for me
Beating down to the ground
Yes it always seems
You take more from me
So I'm saying nothing
Each day taking that much more
As I'm screaming all my pain
You will be there counting
It's funny how we've just started
They get the money for the things on you
They give ya money, and the girls and the fame
I only do it for the fun and the games
It's funny how we've just started
They get the money for the things on you
They give ya money, and the girls and the fame
I only do it for the fun
That's my game
So I'm saying nothing
Each day taking that much more
As I'm screaming all my pain
You will be there counting
16 Dirty (07:50)
Keep knocking
No one’s there
Pouring down
Near people
I'm out here
By myself, all alone
Ready to blow my head off!
I hurt so bad inside
I wish you could see the world through my eyes
Each day is the same
I just wanna laugh again
Keep hoping
Nothing to spare
So my life
Isn't quite there
Feel like a whore
A dirty whore
Such a whore
Dirty
I'm out here
By myself, all alone
Ready to blow my head off!
I hurt so bad inside
I wish you could see the world through my eyes
Each day is the same
I just wanna laugh again
Just wanna laugh again
I'll take it
I'll take it
I will take it
Give it to me
You dirty little fuck
Dirty little fuck
You dirty little fuck
Dirty little fuck
You dirty little fuck
(I will take it)
Dirty little fuck
(I will take it)
You dirty little fuck
(I will take it)
Dirty little fuck
(I will take it)
You dirty little fuck
I hurt so bad inside
I wish you could see the world through my eyes
Each day is the same
I just wanna laugh again
I just wanna laugh again [x4]
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Other reviews
By valerio
The emphatic and schizophrenic voice of Jonathan Davis shines, and the duels between Munky’s and Head’s guitars while the great Fieldy serves as a glue with the rhythms of David Silveria.
'Issues' impresses with new wave influences mixed with the unmistakable cathartic funk metal.
By AR (Anonima Recensori)
"Issues is the exact opposite [of Follow the Leader], that is, dark and somber."
Jonathan Davis’s voice is wonderful; in my opinion, he is among the best singers in the metal scene.
By sofficino
A unique, flawless, simply devastating sound.
With these CDs, they have brought together old and new fans, an essential album for everyone.
By marko75
"Issues hits from the first notes, a compelling, complete album, with clean sounds, an extraordinary voice, both suffering and angry at the same time."
"Every single track deserves to be listened to more than once, an excellent work."
By Aljik
Jonathan Davis may not have created a masterpiece this time, but never before has he managed to make himself heard as in this case.
'Falling Away From Me' alone encapsulates everything contained in the album, claiming itself as a phenomenon never repeated in KoRn’s entire musical career.
