MTV Unplugged

by

Korn

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After 7 studio albums Korn have finally been asked to perform for MTV's Unplugged series. The result is much better than I ever could have expected.

1. Blind

A very different take on Korn's very first single. This version of Blind sounds very latin and "flamenco"esque. It has some very nice guitar work.

2. Hollow Life

Probably one of the weaker tracks on the album but still nice. A little less piano and this track would have been better for me.

3. Freak On A Leash feat. Amy Lee from Evanescence

Korn's biggest single still to this day would probably be Freak On A Leash. This version is quite different but still a classic in everyway. Amy Lee brings her amazing vocals to this track and compliments it very well.

4. Falling Away From Me

Excellent version of Falling Away From Me. From the eery bells at the beginning through to the "heavy" accoustic break down at the end. The guys pull this one off very well.

5. Creep

Probably one of the best performances on the whole album. This is a cover of Radiohead's classic 'Creep'. Korn make this song a little bit quieter and darker but no less intense. Amazing vocals on this one.

6. Love Song

An amazing song but probably one of the weaker ones on this album. It does not have the same feel as the version on See You On The Other Side on which it is probably one of my favourite tracks.

7. Got The Life

Nice version of Got The Life. It actually works quite well as an accoustic song considering its tempo, etc.

8. Twisted Transistor

A very good performance of Twisted Transistor. Nice use of the 'orchestra'.

9. Coming Undone

A nice solid version of this song. A bit repetitive but the original song is like that too. Nice use of the saw though. Good performance.

10. Make Me Bad / In Between Days feat. The Cure

An amazing mashup of two great songs. I never thought i would see these 2 bands perform together but here they are. Both bands work together very well and the result is great.

11. Throw Me Away

The finale. A great performance of this song. Probably better than the original album version. For this song they brought out a Taiko drum ensamble. Very powerful song.

Buy this album!!!

While I don't see this ablum attracting the attention of any new fans, or being groundbreaking. It does however, take a softer approach to the heavy guitar riffs, thick bass lines, driving drums and angst screams and haunting vocals we all know and love. Which believe it or not, are all still here but in a very different way. What makes Korn what they are, is their originality and strive to push it into experimental and different directions, yet still holding onto the heaviness that has created their trademark sound over the years. With that being said, an ACOUSTIC performance is an interesting, and surprising tweak to their sound, but does not do the band justice. In fact, they pretty much bastardsized their songs, but they do prove that they are content with who they are and what they have always valued... the fans, by drastically changing the music. This album was solely for the true fans. And, if you are a diehard fan who has every ablum, seen their act live and will continue to follow them through every change, tweak, take or different approach then you should get this album. If for nothing else, the songs (or versions) you won't find anywhere else, Creep, duet with Amy Lee and Robert Smith. In my opinion, the track that stands out the most and is probably the only track that hugs close to their heavy, angry sound is Love Song. And, it even works acoustically. The brutal truth is, no one will want to listen to Korn when they are 40 - 50 years old, so it is nice to hear something different from the guys. Sadly, Davis' voice cannot be projected in this way and sound outstanding. He is better suited for what he does, heavy and angst ridden screams. He has never shown as a singer, so it was obivous unplugged wasn't going to be AMAZING. But, he does have a strong stage presence. The album is not great, but not horrible like some of the other reviewers stated. Those people have obviously missed the purpose of this album, and purpose of the band. If you are a true fan, you will understand the purpose of both. Korn plays music for themselves and the (real) fans. Sometimes it takes a giant leap forward (or in some cases, backward) to move yourself into bold, different directions. The band took that approach here. Take it for what it is, yet another experimental phase. I, personally would like to see Korn return to their old roots. For those of you that want to hear something heavier than this album, something "Korn" wait for the new studio album releasing later this year.