Review Summary: Unfortunately, the results are just what you would expect. Clumsy raps and gangsta clichés. However, Fieldy never really takes it too seriously.
Everyone should be familiar with Korn's material, although nu metal doesn't have the popularity it once had, their records are still staple at rock clubs and teenagers bedrooms. I haven't really listened to KoRn for a while, they were one of my favourites for a long time, but when I first listened to punk rock, I considered myself far too cool for anything else. For a long time I denied ever owning any KoRn records, I owned all of them, including the remix album and a special edition cover of my favourite record 'Issues'. 'Issues' was their strongest and darkest record they made, and if I could find my collection I would probably still listen to it along with their debut record. Anyway, as I'm sure many have you already knew, or have worked out, this is the debut solo record from Korn's very own Fieldy. Released shortly after 'Issues', after Korn had moved away from their crossover sound to a more unique rock sound. Unfortunately Fieldy didn't like the lack of Hip Hop in the new direction, so did he bitch and whinge and get his own way, and probably ruin nu metal's grand opus?? No he made a hilarious gangsta rap record!
Unfortunately, the results are just what you would expect. Clumsy raps and gangsta clichés. However, Fieldy never really takes it too seriously, with many references to marijuana smoking, and you get the sense that after a lot of the vocal recordings he burst out laughing himself. Fieldy is definitely the joker of KoRn. Always the one playing childish pranks, and teasing with his cheeky nasal voice.
Back in the day when a Kerrang! was on my lap, Limp Bizkit posters were on the walls and KoRn was blasting out of the speakers. I was a far cry from today's Kerrang! reader, I certainly saved a lot of money on make up, and I still think baggy jeans are great! However, if I had heard this record back then, I would have dismissed it very quickly, as I thought that the only Hip Hop I would ever like was Run DMC. Luckily, I have picked this up recently, just for novelty value and the low low price I picked it up for. Expecting an unlistenable, but sometimes amusing irritating piece of crap I played it as soon as I got home. Surprisingly, I didn't skip a single track! I giggled along with his misogynist anthems, blunt smoking party songs and frankly ridiculous tales of gangsta life. Although I've been straight for a while, this would make a beautiful smoking record. With Fieldy's silly lyrics, and often interesting, but inconsistent bass heavy beats, frankly the surprise that this doesn't completely grate is a bonus!
The album’s opening track ‘Baby Hugh Hef’ is a proud comparison Fieldy makes between himself and Viagra’s main justification, Hugh Hefner. This kicks off the record with great style, and hilarious results. Do you all remember those Nike adverts with the basketballs bouncing and making a thumping beat with some stylish basketball choreography. Well, this record kicks off with the same beat created by gun shots, and recoils. A very funny track, since the lyrics on this song mostly relate to violence rather than sexual exploits, but I guess as far as that goes, Fieldy really does have something in common with Hugh Hefner. Neither of them are gangstas, and neither of them can rap.
Fieldy’s voice is very distinctive, sounding like the love child of John Davis, Snoop Dogg and B-Real. However, his lyrics don’t stand up too any of the aforementioned. He drawls rather than spitting in a hardcore fashion, he has a nasal twang, and quickly barks some of the vocals in a similar way to John Davis. John actually makes an appearance on ‘Just for you’ which is some sort of cross between gangsta rap, and KoRn’s confessional, angst ridden lyrics. Although when delivered in such a chilled out song, they don’t quite capture the imagination the way they do on their rock records.
“And these are Fieldy’s Dreams, or should I say… ..Fieldy’s Nightmares! Mwahahahahaha!’’
“BOO!”
All in all, this is the pile of crap we all expect, and that it frankly deserves to be. However, Fieldy’s own realisation of this makes it an almost charming listen, just get it out when you want a giggle, not when you want some gangsta rap, or KoRn.
