Limp Bizkit
Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water

THE REVIEW

Well folks... Sure, they may be sellouts, they may have become commercial and ridiculous, Fred Durst may be a clown, he may be a big trickster, he may be someone who willingly compromises to achieve his goals, this album may have permanently sold them out to the so-called music business, it may be that after this album many of those people who appreciated their first two works now hate them, it may be that they preferred the smell of money to the real desire to play, it may be that this album (given the countless criticisms) wasn't liked by anyone except fake-rebellious kids...
It may be, it may be, it may be... But I like "Chocolate Starfish And The Hot Dog Flavored Water," I admit it.

After two great albums like "Three Dollar Bill Yall$" and "Significant Other," the Limp Bizkit brand has forcefully stamped its mark in the musical (nu)metal world (thanks also to a certain band from Bakersfield...) and with this "Chocolate Starfish and Hot Dog Flavored Water," their mix of rap and metal (and also Fred Durst's face) finally became known worldwide, musical and otherwise. Just think of the "Mission Impossible 2" soundtrack, the videos in heavy rotation, appearances at important award ceremonies, and even duets with billionaire pop stars (what won't they do for a bit of sex, eh Fred?). Naturally, this drove away some of those who followed them since 1997 and brought in a massive horde of young fans searching for something damnably more "violent" than usual.

Apart from these considerations, beyond the criticisms and the (many) prejudices surrounding this band, I reiterate that I like this album. Although it is, in a sense, a "commercial" album.
It's been almost 5 years since it came out, but it still doesn't bore me when I listen to it. I never tire of listening to songs like, for example, the famous Rollin', even though I've heard it a thousand times (also due to the pounding from MTV and company).

It's very easy to summarize what "Chocolate Starfish..." is. This album is designed to jump, headbang, and go wild to the rhythm of Durst's "fucks"... and that's it. It seems little, but it works beautifully. Perhaps that's also why it sold millions of copies worldwide and catapulted the bald guy with the red cap's band to the top of the charts, increasing both their popularity and their already hefty bank account.

They wanted to please a bit of everyone, the Bizkit (who knows why, eh?), and it shows. The guitars are distorted enough, there's a bit more power compared to "Significant Other," there's excellent production, and then... There's anger, there's melody (though not much), there's the "rap" piece, there's the catchy single... There's even that (and there are quite a few on the CD). Maybe originality is missing.
But who cares. It may not be the best, but in my opinion, it's enjoyable and engaging and doesn't require a demanding listen. Listen to Hot Dog, My Generation, Full Nelson, Rollin', Livin' It Up, and Take A Look Around, and pretending you're listening to another group, you'll find yourself jumping up and down without even realizing it, I guarantee you. Alternatively, there's always the serious My Way, the poppy The One, the introspective Boiler, the melodic Hold On (featuring Scott Weiland) and the splendid It'll Be Ok with its "slow verse – angry chorus" dynamic as its strength. Getcha Groove On is the rap track of the album (excluding the Rollin' remix) where Durst raps alongside Xzibit.

I believe you all know the themes of the lyrics: the excessive use of profanity is more than evident, reaching its peak in the ridiculous Hot Dog: verses filled with "fucked up" and a chorus that mimics Closer by Nine Inch Nails. A really useless and senseless piece of crap, in my opinion the worst song on the album (as for the lyrics), a shame because the music wasn't even bad.

I think I've said more than enough about my thoughts on this album. I bet you won't share my opinion (so I know I'll endure your criticisms), and in fact that's why I didn't even want to write it, but who cares anymore... Since this was the only album missing in the Biscottini reviews, I wanted to contribute.

The rating is 3, although "subjectively" it would be a bit higher... But since "objectively" I consider it significantly inferior to their previous two albums, I'll leave it at that...

For the nostalgic... there will always be "Three Dollar Bill Yall$" and "Significant Other" to remember a past that, perhaps, won't return.
If you can't stand them... There's always KoRn, or System Of A Down.
If you can't stand them either... Then a good grind-black-thrash-death-power-doom record (choose your genre) is what you need!

Meanwhile, I'll say goodbye and get back to jumping... KEEP ROLLIN' ROLLIN' ROLLIN' ROLLIN' ROLLIN'!!!! KEEP ROLLIN' ROLLIN' ROLLIN' ROLLIN' ROLLIN'!!!! KEEEEPPPP ROOOOLLLLIIIIINNNNNNNN!!!!!!! COME OOOON!!!! YEAH!!!! CCCC' MOOOONNNNNNNN!!!