KoRn – See You On The Other Side Review This is my track-by-tack SYOTOS first time ever track-by-track review. This will only come with my top bands, such as KoRn and NIN (if NIN releases another album within the next few years). I wasn’t too impressed with With Teeth, overall. But maybe I might pull one every now and then, this is kind of fun. Anyway, my rating system will range from 1-10. Obviously, 10 being the best. I am not going to be one those people that rates every song a 9+ and even pull shit like 15/10 or anything silly like that. I will give my honest opinion and give what I truly deserve it feels. Of course, everyone is different, but this is just me. I’m Mr. Critical, as most of you know (right, Roxy?), but with further a due, here it is: Twisted Transistor: 8.5/10 A really fun song that is great to sing along to and for radio play. There is about a minute long intro here that is not on the radio version. The intro is cool. It is not boring or repetitive, and ends up going into the song nicely. The sound of the song is pretty cool; very upbeat. The chorus is just as fun as the rest of the song, and is consistent with it's tempo and sound. The lyrics are kind of unusual, and different from the past. The song seems to be about sex, and music. Okay, so that isn't too different from the past, but the way the lyrics are presented is extremely different. It’s a catchy song with some cool parts and lyrics. Quote of the song: “Your scream’s a whisper, hang on you, Twisted Transistor” Politics: 7.5/10 Got a great opening riff and the chorus clearly is all about being against politics. The corruption and bullshit with politics. I’m not too keen on this song only because politics has been mentioned and said before so many times, but at least this song is very general about it. It is weird, because there almost 2 parts to the chorus, it seems. It is really one; it is just split in half and sounds separate. I like the second part of it, it is pretty memorable….like when you think of a part of a song you know, that’s the part that pops into mind. I admit I did not like this song when I first heard it, that’s why I released this review later than the “pre-review”. However, it is still not one of my favorite or mainstay songs because it just doesn’t catch my complete attention because it’s kind of bland compared to the other songs in my opinion. Quote of the song: “Don’t give a shit about politics” Hypocrites: 8/10 This song has something to do with religion and $$...go figure. Very interesting subject. This song is very versatile and well rounded. I really like the chorus, it just sounds cool the way Davis sings it. The music to the song is steady, not too heavy, and certainly not light. There is a normal amount of singing on here, and a little of the growling for about a line or two before it breaks into chorus. The chorus is usually what can make or break a song for me, and this chorus definitely makes it. Otherwise, I think this is a solid song and should receive regular play. Quote of the song: “Pay the ferryman, pay the fucking driver, Pay the preachers and pay the fucking liars” Souvenir: 7.5/10 Opens with the trademark distorted guitar, followed by some heaviness. Music stays pretty heavy with the riffs and a steady pace for the most part. It also is a song with extremely clever lyrics. Mainly about just being yourself, and you should help yourself….like a "you are what you are" type of deal. Again, it is sung not like any other song I can remember from KoRn. Chorus is pretty good, but it’s the main part of the song is what catches me here. It’s different, and not repetitive. About 2 minutes and change in, you can really hear the drum kits they used on this album. It is starting to get that “industrial” feel here. Although I like this song and it’s pretty heavy at times, and I dig the industrialism, it doesn’t have the sound I look for to be a fav. Quote of the song: “why does everybody have to fit in, you should feel comfortable in the skin, just like me i am the souvenir of sadness” 10 Or A 2 Way: 7/10 Starts off all industrialish, and goes into lyrics. Song is basically about sex, and with this one girl that’s just in it for the sex, it seems, and all selfish about it…lol. Then he’s about to drop that shit. Part of the song is catchy; the way the song is sung is pretty cool, it’s the chorus that doesn’t really get me. The lyrics to it are ok, and the way it’s sung is also ok, but JD sounds amazing after the chorus the way he sings. And I like the way the music is placed within the song. Tough to judge this song. Almost 3 minutes in, the industrial sound combines with heavy riffs, that’s awesome, and from here on in its pretty awesome. This is a song I have mixed feeling about. If parts of the song weren’t so cool, I would’ve scored it a lot lower because of the chorus. It will be an every-now-and-then play for me. After the song is over, though, there is some bag pipe doodling. Which is pretty cool…and kind of scary at the same time. If you got bass, there is almost a Tell-Tale Heart thin going on with the bagpipes….some Halloween shit there…and the heart beats faster and faster. Quote of the song: “Never makin sure up here anyway, only fuckin you till the seasons change” Throw Me Away: 10/10 This song starts off with complete cool industrial sounds, and quickly JD starts fucking shit up. It’s more of a slow based song, and sticks to the cool industrial sound, never really getting heavy. Who said that was a bad thing? The bridges and chorus are equally great. Sung appropriately, and perfect music placement. The chorus actually goes a step beyond. Not really catchy, but has greatness. The chorus is memorable, not necessarily catchy. Also, this song is complete with great lyrics. This song is mainly about feeling down, depressed, and like shit…..with a need to feel wanted. I have been there, and done that. This song doesn’t really bring back memories, at all, it’s just really a masterpiece to be appreciated every time you pop this shit in your cd player. This song is simply amazing in my opinion from start to finish. I also appreciate some of the instrumental parts to this song…who wouldn’t? Quote of the song: “Should I assume, that someone hears me when I pray?” Love Song: 7/10 Hmm. Strange song. Starts off weird….The way it’s sung almost pisses me off at first, but then becomes acceptable. It is heavy during the chorus and even during the industrial parts. The chorus is still strange. I am not sure if this is good or not. This song is quite another that has never been tried before. Heavy, yet slow. Lyrics are definitely on the slow side. That is not what I am iffy on the song though. Just the style of singing and song isn’t too much of my deal. Around 3 and a half minutes in, there is part of the chorus that is sung differently, kind of regular and slower, with no music…and that is really cool. Quote of the song: “My belief destroyed my hated? Never get what's over-rated” Open Up: 9/10 Starts off with the industrial sound that so much reminds me of a “Anti-Christ Superstar” type of deal (some of the album does), and has a beat based, slower, darker instrument feel. Lyrics are kind of sung softly at times, then regularly for the most part. What catches me here in particular, is the chorus. It is very catchy and likeable. The lyrics rhyme extremely well, and make this song. After the 3 minute mark, JD hums. Yes, he hums. Stupid? Fuck you! It’s really incredible. It is very melodic and goes along great with the music. Then it goes back into a shorter version of the chorus. It is a slower paced song, but I think it is amazing none the less. After the song ends, there is a 2 minute or so sub-song I guess it would be called. Has slow guitar parts, and then turns into some bagpipe parts fading in and out with some kind of strange music. Pretty cool, but not really worth listening to on a regular basis once the song has finished. Quote of the song: “Choking you gently, gaining control, Hand you the shovel, to dig your own hole” Coming Undone: 8.5/10 Song opens, and it after a few seconds when JD starts to sing, the music in the background reminds me of Queens “We Will Rock You”…the music in the background sounds somewhat like that…the bleacher thing. Anyway, I like this song a lot. They lyrics are totally cool, not just cool, but great. The lyric, way the song is sung, music style, is all gravy. The lyrics rhyme, are clever, poetic, and get me good. Some cool instrumentals and tone rates this song high on my list. The lyrics are mainly about feeling, people talking shit, and the affect on him….I think. The music holds the bleacher sound throughout the song with a little of their own flavor here and there. Not like it’s a sample, or anything, it just reminds me of it. But check this song out; it’s definitely one of the best. Quote of the song: “I find my demons were my friends, Getting me in the end, They're out to get me” Getting Off: 6/10 Hmm. Well, this song is basically about cumming. About something turning JD on and…yeah. The song starts off musically good, kind of sounds like it could be a good song after the first verse or two. But once the chorus comes, and then once the lyrics repeat, I think it is absolutely ridiculous. There isn’t much good about this song besides the music, honestly. There is at least one song on every KoRn album I come across that really isn’t any kind of good. The way it is sung is kind of annoying…at least in the chorus. The lyrics are kind of repetitive and boring. Getting Off keeps being repeated in the chorus over and over. I’m sorry, I can’t think of any positives in this song that way. Really, except when there aren’t any lyrics. I had a really hard time going through this song twice in a row (I do this with all of these songs), and then am having a really hard time picking the Quote of the song. Quote of the song: “Bitch we have got a problem” Liar: 10/10 Well, well, well. What can I say? Following the worst song on the album, in my opinion this is followed by the best. This song starts off pretty heavy and Munky goes and does some cool shit, then when JD cue’s in, comes in with some clever lyrics that go great with the music, and the music is mixed up a bit. When the bridge comes, the music slows down, and JD gets melodic. Then the chorus comes, and it’s hot. Damn, what a great song. Then after, the instrumental parts rock. This song is heavy, with melodic singing, brilliant guitar work, brilliant singing and just a brilliant job. Around 1:45 JD does the “Twist” type of deal…some people call it the ‘scat’ thing going on. That was cool. But this song owns. At the end of the song, is another sub-song, that has some bag pipes fading in and out, and some different instrumental parts mixed in. This song is a great heavy and catchy song, with good lyrics, sung properly, equals a terrific song that you will never want to pass up. Quote of the song: “For fuck sake, don't lose touch, with the dog that's inside you” For No One: 7/10 Song starts off with distorted guitar (no surprises there), and sounds industrial free. Once the lyrics kick in, I’d say it’s pretty different. The song is mainly about getting past and trying to forget the past that caused hurt…I guess. The lyrics are pretty cool to incorporate this, and during the chorus, most of it is sung well, especially the parts “We can ride all night” and “just follow the light”. Those are the parts that really intrigue me. Otherwise, the song isn’t bad. Would I give this a steady listen to? Not really. I would put it on however, sometimes for the parts I mentioned, and there is nothing really bad about the song. In all, it’s pretty good, just not great, or my favorite. Quote of the song: “We’re gonna shake things up, we’re gonna break you down” Seen It All: 8/10 Song starts off with some dark sounding music, which is cool, right away, JD comes in. Nothing I can say can describe the lyrics and the way it’s sung but “weird”. It is sung poem-style. It is couple of words per line, kind of cool if you read the lyrics and understand them, but at first this song isn’t easy to swallow. I really started skipping this song right away, but I might play it more now. The lyrics are kind of dark and kind of cool. I still, however, think the song is “weird”, at least how the regular parts of the song is sung. The chorus is pretty normal. But I kind of like the song now. It has a very dark feel. There is also some piano going on right after the 3 minute mark, which is hot. The rest of the song is pretty much repeated for the most part, but that’s not a bad thing. I was ready to rate this song a 5-7. Seriously. But after giving it a serious listen, and understand the lyrics and dissect it, I kind of like it. At the end of the song, there is another “sub-song” exclusively with bagpipes. Now, I’m all about bagpipes on an album (which was used beautifully in “Let’s Do This Now” from Take A Look In The Mirror, and left out of Untouchables, but the bagpipes could have been cool when actually incorporated in a song just like “Let’s Do This Now” and “Shoots & Ladders”. It is cool to hear all the ‘pipes, but it would have been cool to hear them in the beginning, middle, or end of the song itself. Quote of the song: “I'm ghost that's, In the mirror, I'm everything that you fear” Tearjerker: 10/10 The final song of the album. Now, some of the final songs on their albums are usually emotional and/or memorable. Daddy, for example is full of all kinds of emotion. Also very different. Kill You, off of Life Is Peachy, I’d say is emotional too. Follow the Leader, a great fucking song called “My Gift To You” is certainly memorable. This album is no different. Tearjerker is pretty much about loneliness. We’ve all had a dose of that at some point. Some more than others. So I could relate. I’m pretty glad I am not lonely now though. Nonetheless, this song is beautiful. It is sung softly, with soft music. If you really want to see what Jonathan’s voice can do, you got it. He has such a beautiful and soothing voice. I knew this already, but I guess most casual fans don’t know this if they really haven’t followed them since say, Follow The Leader. But JD showcases his singing ability, and leaves the album off showcasing his unique voice. Of course, a song like this you would have to be in the mood for, but when you are, this 5 minute song seems too short. Quote of the song: “As I sit here frozen alone, Even ghosts get tired and go home, As they crawl back under the stones” Wow, this concludes my See You On The Other Side review. Overall, I am pretty impressed with this album, and would have to say I wasn’t expecting any kind of industrial sound from them. I didn’t know how the band would sound without Head, but I figured it would be along the same lines of stuff they already put out. But I guess when a band member is unhappy; it limits the other members’ ideas as to what they could do. So yes, it was experimental, and yes I do like it. You can’t have a band put out seven albums sounding exactly the same *coughOffspringcough*. I listened to these songs at least two times during the actual reviewing process, not counting the almost daily listening of the album in my car. One time to follow and dissect the lyrics, and the second time as a reference tool as I was writing the review itself, so it's pretty accurate and in depth. Now it is time to give my overall album review. BTW, this is NOT an average of the scores I gave the individual songs. See You On The Other Side rates about an 8 - 8.5 in my book. It will take some time to get used to, but it’s all good. NON-ALBUM TRACKS REVIEW Hello again, there are five non-album tracks to review. Same rules and format applies. Let’s get started: It’s Me Again: 8/10 Song starts off pretty heavy and when it goes into the vocals sounds pretty cool. I love the chorus, where the quote of the song comes in. Although throughout the song the chorus gets kind of repetitive, it is still cool. The rest of the song gels together pretty well. Really though, I don’t understand why this is a non-album track. I like the fact though that it is included on the bonus disc in the Special Editions. It’s pretty heavy, strait forward with no surprises as far as some of the songs I described above are. But, despite the chorus slightly repetitive (especially at the end of the song), it is pretty cool. Quote of the song: “You see beauty, I see pain, You see sky and I see acid rain” Eaten Up Inside: 8.5/10 This song is pretty cool. It is the 2nd of 3 non-album tracks included on the bonus disc. I can’t understand why this track is left off the main disc. It is pretty catchy, and almost good for radio play..lol. It is a good song, with good lyrics. JD seems to have reverted back to singing out his feelings in this one. The lyrics are kind of depressing about wanting to die. Granted, the lyrics are mostly the chorus, it still rocks. It sounds good, not too heavy, but not exactly upbeat, songs like a good, different KoRn song. Parts towards the end seem heavy, and by the time that rolls around, you will really dig this song. The ending is pretty cool too. I’ll let you hear it for yourself. Quote of the song: “Eaten up inside, Let me die, Go away, I never got what I wanted, I never got what I needed” Last Legal Drug (Le Petit Mort): 10/10 This song sounds kind of industrialish, but it may not be. That sounds like I don’t know what I’m talking about (long pause). Oh well. Anyway, this song, at first I was like “well, I like the first 2 songs on the bonus disc”. But, after giving this one a good listen, it is easily the best out of the 3. It has slower, kind of dark music, and textbook JD style singing. Great lyrics. Especially the quote of the song. If I didn’t have my Roxy, I’d probably think this song is bullshit…lol. But, this song is hot. There is mention or orgasms, sex, love, pleasure, and pain! Yay! Part of the chorus is slow, which is great, and the rest is great too. This is a great track that is one of my favorites out of them all. Quote of the song: “Love might be the last legal drug” Too Late I’m Dead: 8.5/10 This song starts off with slower, dark music. When JD starts singing, it’s more like a low rant…..and you’re kind of like “ok”. But it has a strange backing vocal from JD when he says “Too Late I’m Dead” and it sounds cool, after a minute, it gets heavy, and the chorus fucks shit up. It’s really cool. That is the part that catches me. Also “Too Late I’m Dead” the way he says it, two times quick in a row, sticks in my head and makes me crave this song. When the second chorus is about to come on, JD says the word “despise” in a low growl, with him singing the same word high in the background. That is awesome. It’s like dark and light, black and white. Two things on the opposite end of the spectrum. After that the song basically continues the chorus then breaks into a “too late i'm dead” thing going on with different music. That’s awesome, and also catchy. Then he says it differently again. All in all, a cool song…really cool. Definitely my 2nd favorite non-album track. Quote of the song: “Fuck everything, everything, everything!” Unfortunately, my second and last import single with the final non-album track, Appears, STILL didn’t come in the mail, and I’m very angry at that little jerk. But, I will add that song on later to the review and post about it in the following blog. But, for the four tracks I just reviewed, they were better than some of the album tracks. Granted, they probably were left off the album for purposes unknown, I’m glad they were released….especially right away. Sometimes they just don’t fit with the current songs, or terrible. I never came across a terrible non-album track with KoRn. “I Can Remember” (a FTL non-album track) certainly didn’t fit at all on that album, and was fittingly left off and put on a Got The Life import. But for songs like “Sean Olsen” and “Proud” (especially Proud, a great song), should have been included on their respective album (LIP) because they fit right in. But, they were released anyway, which is cool. So, my non-album tracks review will now come to a close. I rate these song a 9/10 because they are really, really good. I had fun doing this review, and I may review all the other 6 KoRn albums (including covers and non-album songs) in the future. Look for those…maybe I’ll even do NIN…who knows (but I doubt it). I’ll even throw in good remix songs for their respective albums as recommendations. I have none for this album, but definitely do for a couple of others. For now, this is Bill KoRn signing off. Don’t forget to check back on my newer blogs for the final song “Appears” to be added here, I will let you know when it happens at the end of the upcoming blogs. For now, take care and…Holla!