Review Summary: This is a great CD for big Korn and Nu metal fans. It's also a good idea to pick it up if you want to get into metal. This is a great and easy place to start.
Celebrating their 10th anniversery, the inventers of the contraversial Nu metal genre came out with their very own greatest hits Cd in 2004, Korn Greatest Hits Vol. 1. Now In my opinion, Korn is a very interesting band. I can sort of understand why people say they are a disgrace to metal. Sure they make mainstream music with poor lyrics. And they aren't even that great of musicians. But in my opinion they are important. Bands like Korn are the type that get you into metal, a leeway if you will. Metal isn't an easy genre to get into and catchy, hard-hitting nu metal bands are a perfect place to start. I know Korn was what got me into metal and I'm sure that many other fellow metalheads who now let the brilliant riffs of Tool, Opeth, and King Crimson sweep them off their feet, were once in the same position. Now I apoligize for my rambling. Here is my review.
Between 1994 and 2004 Korn have released 6 studio albums and Greatest Hits Vol. 1 has each of the albums biggest hits along with a cameo cover of Word Up and another cover of Pink Floyd's Another Brick in the Wall ( parts 1,2, and3). I thought that the covers were and interesting choice as from what I understand they've been played at Korn live shows many times.
Their cover of Word Up was done fairly well and suits them though I appreciate the original far more. All in all, I feel there really wasn't a reason to put this song on, except for the hardcore fans who go to all there shows. 3/5
Their version of Another Brick in the Wall is a whole new story, a complete disaster. It doesn't suit them at all. Korn and Pink Floyd are no match made in heaven. As a matter of fact, it's difficult just to picture them in the same sentence.( Well not so hard now) All in all, Jonathan Davis's harsh vocals along with Fieldy's heavy bass slapping don't compliment this song at all. It just doesn't work. 2/5
Now we finally get to the actual Korn songs. The album starts with Ya'll Want a Single. As I said before, Korn is a catchy band and this song is no exception. The simple riffs done by Head and Munky are perfect for Davis's loud growls and yelps. The lyrics to this song aren't bad either. They're basically about how record company's care more about business then the actual music. My only slight problem with this song is the constant repetition of Davis screaming " Ya'll want a single say $%$@ that" which isn't a big deal. 4/5
Next is Right Now. Another extremely catchy tune, this one has a don't $%$@ with me vibe with lyrics such as " I feel it scratch inside I wanna slash and beat you" and " shut up I'll $%$@ you up. The simple riff is also a highlight. All in all a good track to listen to when you're pumped or angry. 3.5/5
The next track is Did my Time. This was in the soundtrack to Lara Croft Tomb Raider: Cradle of Life. It’s yet another catchy song with good lyrics and decent riff, A nice track. 3.5/5
Next is Alone I Break. This surprisingly a soft song compared to Korn’s usual material. Its riffs are pretty boring and the lyrics aren’t great either, still catchy though. 2.5/5
Then there's Here to Stay. Now this song won a Grammy for best metal performance but I could never understand why. It’s an annoying song. It doesn’t have great riffs. It isn’t even catchy! That must have been a sucky year for metal. 2/5
Trash is the next song up. It has a very eerie feel to it. Davis makes his voice sound as demonic as possible whether he’s whispering or wailing at the top of his lungs. The lyrics are about a girl who still wants to be with you, even though you cheat on her. A great track. 4.5/5
Somebody Someone is an interesting song. I’ve never heard anything like it. It’s got a creepy feel, sort of like Trash and ends with a great, original breakdown like nothing you’ve ever heard. 4.5/5
Make Me Bad is next. This song is turned down a notch but not as much as Alone I Break. It’s another song that creates an eerie atmosphere. I’m pretty sure the lyrics are some sort of a sexual reference. This also has a very catchy chorus. 4.5/5
Next comes Falling Away From Me. This one may be the creepiest song yet. The lyrics talk about child abuse. It has great vocals, great lyrics, and Head and Munky do a great job with the riffs as well. A perfect track. 5/5
Next is Got the Life. This is one of Korn’s most famous songs and for a good reason. It’s just a badass song. The vocals and riffs are sweet and even the drums stand out in this one. 4.5/5
Then it’s Freak on a Leash. Korn’s most successful single of all time. Most people recognize it for the breakdown in the end, where Davis starts growling in a sort of a rhythmic gibberish or scatting. It has great lyrics that are a big middle finger to record companies. Everything about this song is epic and beautiful. 5/5
Next is Twist. You either like this song or you don’t. I personally am a fan. Some people just don’t understand its humor. It’s basically Davis scatting over a nonsense riff and then whining, “twist” a few times in two parts. 3/5
A.D.I.D.A.S or All Day I Dream About Sex is next. A very catchy and humorous song, it’s another tuned down track compared to the rest. 3.5/5
Clown is next. I really like this song. It starts with the band talking and joking with each other. Then it kicks in. It’s about this guy who punched Davis at a show once. I love the breakdown especially. The lyrics are decent, the riffs are very good and so are the drums. 4/5
Shoots and Ladders comes next. Korn takes nursery rhymes and makes them sound as frightening as possible, though at the end, when korn starts screaming “ Nick nack paddywak give a dog a bone,” it’s a little ridiculous. 3/5
Then comes Blind. You know the song that started it all with “ Are you ready!” This is the first Korn song I ever heard. It’s the song that got me into metal, and in my opinion, it’s their greatest song. The epic beginning that builds up into a heavy yet simple riff is to die for. It pumps you up and makes your blood boil. This is the is the song that started the Nu metal genre in my opinion. If you haven’t heard it, that’s a problem, go fix it now!5/5
Last and definitely least is Freak On a Leash (Dante Ross Remix). It’s a bunch of crap and it wasn’t needed. I don’t know why they put it on the album. 1/5
Recommended Tracks: Anything given 4/5 or higher
