With their second release, 1996's Life Is Peachy, Korn truly began their ascend to mainstream acceptance. While the album is not as cohesive a work as their self-titled debut, it also had more radio ready singles, even if only one of them did get played on the radio.

This album seems less personal, less angry, and as I said before, less cohesive. With their debut, the band was able to make an album of songs that more or less fit together in a true "album" feel. You remember "albums," don't you?

The record opens with, well, I guess you could say lead singer Jonathan Davis' gibberish, where the only word that makes any sense whatsoever is the title, Twist. I'm not a fan of this song at all, and I don't know many people who are. It's a jarring song to listen to, even though it clocks in at less than a minute long.

You're then thrown right into Chi, the first of only a few "classic" Korn songs on the record. The sound is very heavy, and retains the same sound as the first record, something the band has been very hesitant to do on their latest records. Lost is very much the same way. And while Lost is very heavy, the intense screaming of Jonathan on this track only detracts from it. Instead of sounding emotional, he just sounds like a guy who doesn't know how to actually sing parts of a song that should be harmonized and not SCREAMED.

Of course, the big hit off this record was A.D.I.D.A.S., standing for "All Day I Dream About Sex." It resonated with the teen-age crowd big time, after all, how could it not? I have to admit this was the first time I actually thought I heard the band using their guitars to actually create a melody, and Jonathan trying to harmonize. Granted, it wasn't the greatest job ever, but the effort was nice. Immediately following is a cover of War's Low Rider. While not as cool as the original, it still is a nice break from the anger on this album, something the first didn't really have at all.

The track that should've blown up huge, but didn't, was No Place to Hide. People can say all they want about the band selling out, going soft (and I admit I'm one of those who say the band has gone soft), but No Place to Hide is just a great hard rock song, period. It has one of those riff and beat combinations that just make you move, and the drumming is probably the most creative Korn has gotten on the drumkit.

While not nearly as intense as their debut, or anywhere near as essential, this album is still a pretty good effort that becomes great thanks to No Place to Hide, probably one of the better metal songs of the 1990s. Give this a shot. It's different, it is a very jarring first listen, but after a few listens, you'll be hooked.




Recommended: Yes